CSS Journalism & Mass Communication MCQs

This comprehensive set of MCQs on Journalism and Mass Communication is designed to cover all essential topics required for a thorough understanding of media practices, communication theories, and the evolving landscape of journalism. Focused on key subjects such as media ethics, news writing, broadcasting, public relations, and digital media, these MCQs are crafted to help candidates build a strong foundation in the competencies needed for success in competitive examinations like CSS and other government recruitment processes.

Who should practice Journalism and Mass Communication MCQs?

Students preparing for CSS exams who aim to enhance their performance in Journalism and Mass Communication-related sections.
Aspiring media professionals looking to test their knowledge of communication theories, media laws, and the practical aspects of journalism and mass media.
Job seekers targeting positions in government, media houses, or public relations firms, requiring a solid understanding of the media and communication field.
Individuals preparing for professional certification exams related to mass communication, ensuring they are well-equipped to tackle similar questions.
Anyone interested in improving their understanding of modern media trends, ethics, and global communication strategies.
Candidates focused on developing a strategic approach to tackling diverse question types commonly found in competitive exams related to journalism and mass communication.

1. What is the primary purpose of mass communication?

A) To entertain the audience
B) To inform, educate, and entertain the masses
C) To spread rumors
D) To promote government policies

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2. Which of the following is a basic model of mass communication introduced by Harold D. Lasswell?

A) The Shannon-Weaver Model
B) The Osgood-Schramm Model
C) The Lasswell Model
D) The Gerbner Model

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3. What is the central concept of the Shannon-Weaver communication model?

A) Communication is a linear process involving only sender and receiver
B) Communication is a continuous feedback loop
C) Communication is impacted by noise in the transmission process
D) Communication is only verbal

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4. In Schramm’s model of communication, the concept of “overlap” refers to:

A) The emotional connection between sender and receiver
B) The common ground between the sender’s and receiver’s fields of experience
C) The strength of the message sent
D) The technological tools used in communication

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5. What is the main criticism of the hypodermic needle theory?

A) It overlooks the power of the media in shaping public opinion
B) It assumes passive audiences who are directly influenced by the media
C) It focuses on audience feedback too much
D) It dismisses the role of feedback in communication

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6. Which communication theory focuses on the idea that media reinforces dominant societal beliefs and values?

A) Spiral of Silence
B) Hegemony Theory
C) Magic Bullet Theory
D) Diffusion of Innovations

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7. Which model of communication emphasizes the importance of feedback in the communication process?

A) Lasswell’s Model
B) Shannon-Weaver Model
C) Osgood’s Model
D) Gerbner Model

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8. What does “Media Hegemony” refer to in media studies?

A) Media’s role in promoting global democracy
B) The idea that media outlets often reflect the interests of powerful groups
C) Media’s power to shape public opinion objectively
D) The shift from print media to digital media

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9. The diffusion of innovations theory primarily focuses on:

A) How new ideas and technologies spread among a population
B) The effects of media on society
C) The influence of cultural imperialism
D) Media censorship in authoritarian regimes

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10. Which of the following media theories suggests that media has powerful effects on audiences and can directly manipulate them?

A) Two-step flow theory
B) Spiral of Silence Theory
C) Magic Bullet Theory
D) Uses and Gratifications Theory

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11. What is the focus of the “Spiral of Silence” theory?

A) How media can shape audience opinions
B) The tendency of individuals to remain silent when they perceive their opinion to be in the minority
C) The role of media in promoting political ideologies
D) How media content influences voting patterns

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12. Which communication model is known for introducing the concept of “encoding” and “decoding”?

A) Westley-McLean Model
B) Osgood-Schramm Model
C) Lasswell’s Model
D) Shannon-Weaver Model

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13. In which model of communication do both sender and receiver exchange roles and act as communicators?

A) Westley-McLean Model
B) Osgood-Schramm Model
C) Lasswell’s Model
D) Gerbner Model

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14. The Newcomb’s symmetry theory emphasizes:

A) The balance between the media and the audience’s relationship
B) The importance of feedback in communication
C) The role of societal values in shaping media content
D) The hierarchy of communication channels

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15. The “powerful effects model” of media assumes that:

A) Media has little effect on audience behavior
B) Audiences interpret media messages based on their individual perceptions
C) Media can directly influence public opinion and behavior
D) The media simply reflects the opinions of the public

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16. The term “globalization” in media refers to:

A) The spread of media content across borders and cultures
B) The decline of national media companies
C) The censorship of foreign media content
D) The privatization of media

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17. The McBride Commission, formed by UNESCO in the 1970s, aimed to address:

A) The imbalance of information flow between the Global North and South
B) The rise of digital media platforms
C) The role of media in promoting democracy
D) The need for media censorship

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18. What is “cultural imperialism” in the context of mass communication?

A) The global spread of local media content
B) The dominance of one culture’s media over others, often through Western media
C) The exchange of cultural values through digital media
D) The rise of media censorship

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19. What role does the Internet play in international communication?

A) It has no significant impact on global communication
B) It restricts global communication due to censorship
C) It facilitates rapid communication and information exchange across borders
D) It promotes the dominance of traditional media systems

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20. The historical context of international communication is important because it:

A) Focuses solely on the economic aspects of communication
B) Helps understand the evolution of global media relations
C) Promotes the standardization of media content worldwide
D) Involves only the political aspects of media

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21. The role of media in society is to:

A) Control public opinion
B) Create and distribute entertainment
C) Facilitate social change and inform the public
D) Manipulate the political landscape

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22. Media freedom is essential for democracy because:

A) It allows for government control over information
B) It ensures that citizens have access to diverse viewpoints
C) It limits the flow of international content
D) It restricts citizens’ ability to form opinions

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23. Which of the following is a significant role of mass media in society?

A) To promote government policies
B) To create awareness on social, cultural, and political issues
C) To focus solely on entertainment content
D) To maintain social order through censorship

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24. Which of the following is a core function of media as a social system?

A) To maintain societal norms and values through representation
B) To promote only positive messages and avoid negativity
C) To regulate the economy of a country
D) To entertain without any educational content

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25. What is the role of media in social representation?

A) To only present positive images of individuals
B) To reflect and reinforce societal views and cultural norms
C) To suppress the views of minority groups
D) To create fictional portrayals of society

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26. In Pakistan, which was the major shift in the media landscape in the 2000s?

A) Increased dependence on print media
B) Growth of private television networks
C) Decline of internet usage
D) Reduced government control over media

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27. Which government body in Pakistan oversees the regulation of electronic media?

A) Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)
B) Ministry of Information
C) PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority)
D) Press Information Department (PID)

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28. The concept of “24/7 television” refers to:

A) Television programs that only air during specific hours
B) The continuous news cycle on television channels
C) The decline of television news
D) Television programs that are broadcast live

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29. The press in Pakistan is often critiqued for:

A) Its complete independence from the government
B) The challenge of balancing media freedom and responsibility
C) Its role in promoting global culture
D) Its commitment to neutrality

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30. The role of private public relations agencies in Pakistan is to:

A) Promote government propaganda
B) Act as intermediaries between the media and public
C) Limit public access to information
D) Work solely with government officials

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31. What is the primary function of the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP)?

A) To regulate social media
B) To protect the rights of journalists and media organizations
C) To control television content
D) To promote media censorship

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32. What is the role of media laws and ethics in Pakistan?

A) To restrict the freedom of the press
B) To ensure that media outlets function with responsibility and accountability
C) To promote government control over media content
D) To prevent media from reporting on political issues

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33. The development of media regulations in Pakistan after independence was influenced by:

A) The British colonial legal system
B) The media systems of neighboring countries
C) The spread of digital media
D) The international media law norms

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34. What does “libel” refer to in media laws?

A) The act of publicly praising an individual
B) The false publication of statements damaging to a person’s reputation
C) The promotion of a political ideology
D) The censorship of media content

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35. What is the role of the Ministry of Information in Pakistan?

A) To regulate social media
B) To manage the dissemination of government information to the public
C) To monitor and censor all news outlets
D) To focus only on entertainment media

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36. What does PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) primarily oversee?

A) Print media content
B) Online media regulations
C) Radio and television broadcast content
D) Social media platforms

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37. The concept of “Social Marketing” involves:

A) Promoting products or services for profit
B) Infusing new ideas or behaviors into a community to foster social change
C) Selling media space for advertisements
D) Focusing only on traditional media

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38. Which model of communication emphasizes audience participation and feedback?

A) Lasswell’s Model
B) Shannon-Weaver Model
C) Osgood-Schramm Model
D) Gerbner Model

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39. In development communication, “small is beautiful” refers to:

A) The importance of global media companies
B) The effectiveness of community-based development efforts
C) The need for mass media to dominate communication systems
D) The focus on large-scale government programs

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40. What is the “Alternative paradigm” of development in media communication?

A) Focus on economic growth over social change
B) The idea that traditional media can solve all development problems
C) A community-based approach to development that challenges dominant media norms
D) Relying only on government programs for development

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41. The “Glocalization” concept refers to:

A) The rejection of global media in local cultures
B) The adaptation of global ideas to fit local cultural contexts
C) The spread of purely local media
D) The decline of traditional media in local markets

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42. The history of public relations in Pakistan is closely tied to:

A) The government’s control over media outlets
B) The efforts of private organizations to communicate with the public
C) The expansion of digital platforms
D) The growth of multinational media companies

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43. What is the primary function of public relations in a democratic society?

A) To control media information
B) To manage communication between organizations and the public
C) To limit access to government information
D) To ensure media censorship

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44. What is the role of Press Information Department (PID) in Pakistan?

A) To regulate social media content
B) To disseminate official information to the public
C) To censor print media
D) To control television programming

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45. A press release is used in public relations primarily to:

A) Refrain from sharing sensitive information
B) Announce new information or events to the public
C) Promote government propaganda
D) Limit communication with the media

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46. What does the “Spiral of Silence” theory suggest about media?

A) Media has no impact on public opinion
B) It encourages only certain groups to speak out based on majority opinions
C) It fosters complete freedom of expression for all groups
D) It limits the influence of social networks in shaping public opinion

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47. What is the main objective of “development support communication” (DSC)?

A) To sell products to the target audience
B) To promote social and economic change in developing societies
C) To entertain the audience through cultural content
D) To control communication in a society

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48. The “dominant paradigm of development” in communication focuses on:

A) Local, grassroots communication
B) Global communication trends
C) Economic development through modern media
D) The traditional role of print media

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49. “Social marketing” in development communication aims to:

A) Sell products through global media
B) Infuse new ideas and behaviors for social change
C) Control the social media narrative
D) Limit the exposure of harmful information

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50. In the context of mass media, “Glocalization” refers to:

A) The process of adapting global ideas to fit local needs
B) The restriction of global media content in local markets
C) The spread of purely local media content globally
D) The resistance to foreign media in local communities

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51. What does the term “media hegemony” refer to?

A) Media serving as an unbiased source of information
B) Media promoting the interests of powerful social groups
C) Media’s role in promoting cultural diversity
D) Media working towards the betterment of marginalized communities

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52. What role does “media freedom” play in a democratic society?

A) It prevents the media from influencing government policy
B) It ensures the media serves as a platform for diverse viewpoints
C) It allows for the censorship of political content
D) It limits access to information

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53. Which media theory suggests that the media can manipulate public opinion directly and significantly?

A) Two-step flow theory
B) Magic Bullet Theory
C) Social Responsibility Theory
D) Spiral of Silence Theory

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54. The “Two-step flow of communication” theory posits that:

A) Information flows directly from media to audiences without any intermediary
B) Opinion leaders mediate the influence of media on the audience
C) Audiences have no influence on the media
D) Media content is equally influential across all segments of society

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55. What is the main focus of “media usage and gratifications” theory?

A) Media’s direct power over audiences
B) How audiences actively select and use media to meet their needs
C) The media’s role in reinforcing social stereotypes
D) The negative effects of media on public behavior

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56. What is the central idea of the “Spiral of Silence” theory?

A) People are more likely to speak out if their opinions are in the minority
B) People remain silent if they perceive their opinions to be in the minority
C) Media reinforces public opinion equally for all individuals
D) People are discouraged from using social media

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57. Which of the following is the primary goal of mass media in Pakistan?

A) To entertain the public
B) To promote government policies without critique
C) To educate and inform the public on societal issues
D) To limit information to specific social groups

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58. The “media systems in Pakistan” have evolved primarily due to:

A) Government censorship
B) Privatization and commercialization of the media
C) Globalization and foreign media influence
D) Decline of print media

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59. What is one of the major challenges faced by media organizations in Pakistan?

A) Full independence from government control
B) Ensuring accuracy and fairness in reporting
C) Limiting access to information for the public
D) Suppressing minority voices

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60. What is a key characteristic of the new “24/7 television” in Pakistan?

A) It airs content only during specific hours
B) It focuses on entertainment and avoids news coverage
C) It provides round-the-clock news coverage and commentary
D) It is exclusively focused on local content

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61. The relationship between media and society can be described as:

A) Unidirectional, with media simply transmitting information to the public
B) A balance of interdependence, where both media and society influence each other
C) A one-way flow of influence from society to media
D) A top-down structure where media holds all power over society

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62. The Press Information Department (PID) in Pakistan is responsible for:

A) Managing private media outlets
B) Censoring media content
C) Disseminating government information to the public
D) Regulating social media platforms

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63. A key challenge for Pakistan’s print media industry is:

A) The decline of digital content
B) Ensuring profitability in a competitive market
C) The dominance of state-run newspapers
D) The lack of media regulation

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64. The role of media in “social change” is crucial because:

A) Media has no influence on social norms
B) Media can be a powerful tool for promoting awareness and action on societal issues
C) Media only focuses on entertainment and commercial interests
D) Media seeks to limit public involvement in social causes

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65. What is the main function of the “Press Council of Pakistan”?

A) To regulate media content for political neutrality
B) To ensure that media operates in an ethical manner
C) To control media coverage of sensitive issues
D) To promote government censorship of the press

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66. The “Shannon-Weaver Model” of communication emphasizes:

A) The role of feedback in communication
B) The importance of the message’s content over the medium
C) The linear nature of communication involving sender, message, and receiver
D) The complexity of cultural factors in media communication

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67. What is “Public Relations” primarily concerned with?

A) Managing communication between organizations and their stakeholders
B) The entertainment industry
C) Promoting political propaganda
D) Suppressing negative media coverage

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68. What is the role of “PR Ethics” in Public Relations practice?

A) To promote transparency, truthfulness, and accountability in communications
B) To restrict the flow of information to the public
C) To prevent the spread of negative opinions about a company
D) To promote the exclusive interests of a company

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69. Which model of media communication does the “Uses and Gratifications Theory” belong to?

A) Media Effects Model
B) Active Audience Model
C) Dependency Model
D) Media Hegemony Model

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70. The “Alternative Paradigm” of development suggests that:

A) Mass media should be used as a tool for economic growth and modernization
B) Development should come from grassroots movements and local culture
C) Traditional media structures are sufficient to solve global problems
D) The government should control all communication efforts for development

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71. Which of the following is NOT a function of media in society?

A) Providing entertainment
B) Shaping public opinion
C) Promoting only the government’s agenda
D) Educating and informing the public

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72. In terms of media law in Pakistan, defamation refers to:

A) Praise and flattery aimed at an individual
B) The act of making false statements that harm an individual’s reputation
C) The prohibition of media criticism
D) The regulation of international media

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73. The “Shannon-Weaver Model” is best known for introducing the concept of:

A) Noise in the communication process
B) Media framing
C) Audience feedback
D) Social responsibility

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74. Which of the following is the main criticism of the “Magic Bullet Theory”?

A) It overemphasizes the passive role of the audience
B) It focuses too much on audience feedback
C) It neglects the role of new technologies in communication
D) It fails to account for different types of media

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75. Which communication model emphasizes the interaction between sender and receiver, where both parties are active participants?

A) Shannon-Weaver Model
B) Osgood-Schramm Model
C) Lasswell’s Model
D) Gerbner Model

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76. The role of media in “social representation” involves:

A) Influencing public opinion solely through entertainment
B) Shaping the way social groups and issues are perceived by the public
C) Limiting media coverage of social issues
D) Promoting government ideologies through media content

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77. According to the “Hypodermic Needle Theory,” media is:

A) A passive influencer of audience opinions
B) A strong tool for educating the public
C) A mechanism for mediating feedback from the audience
D) A force that injects ideas into the minds of the audience without resistance

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78. Which theory of communication emphasizes the importance of feedback and mutual understanding in communication?

A) Shannon-Weaver Model
B) Osgood-Schramm Model
C) Two-step Flow Theory
D) Magic Bullet Theory

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79. The “Diffusion of Innovations” theory explains:

A) How new ideas and technologies spread through society
B) The decline of traditional media due to digitalization
C) The evolution of communication models over time
D) The way media shapes political opinions

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80. Which model of communication was developed by Harold Lasswell in 1948?

A) Osgood-Schramm Model
B) Shannon-Weaver Model
C) Lasswell’s Model of Communication
D) Gerbner’s Model

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81. The “Two-step flow” model suggests that:

A) Media has direct and immediate effects on audiences
B) Opinion leaders mediate the impact of media on the general public
C) Media effects are equal across all segments of society
D) Audiences are passive recipients of media content

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82. The “Newcomb’s Symmetry Theory” of communication is concerned with:

A) The relationship between sender, receiver, and message
B) The equal and balanced influence between communicators in a social environment
C) The role of media in shaping political opinions
D) The flow of communication within a closed system

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83. Which of the following is NOT one of Schramm’s Four Theories of the Press?

A) Authoritarian Theory
B) Libertarian Theory
C) Social Responsibility Theory
D) Spiral of Silence Theory

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84. The “Social Responsibility Theory” suggests that:

A) Media should serve the interests of the government
B) Media should be free from all regulations
C) Media should operate in the public interest while remaining free from government control
D) Media should focus solely on economic gain

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85. The “Spiral of Silence” theory was proposed by:

A) Harold Lasswell
B) Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann
C) Everett Rogers
D) Marshall McLuhan

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86. The main purpose of “Globalization” in media is to:

A) Promote local culture at the international level
B) Encourage cultural diversity and communication between nations
C) Limit foreign influence on local media
D) Restrict global media flow to specific regions

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87. The “Diffusion of Innovations” theory by Everett Rogers focuses on:

A) How different media impact political opinions
B) The spread of new technologies and ideas across different social groups
C) The manipulation of media to control public opinion
D) The role of media in fostering cultural hegemony

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88. The primary concern of the McBride Commission was:

A) The development of new communication technologies
B) The imbalance in global media flow, particularly between the North and South
C) Promoting the dominance of Western media worldwide
D) The regulation of social media

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89. What is one of the key criticisms of McLuhan’s “Media Determinism”?

A) It overemphasizes the power of media to shape social structures
B) It underestimates the role of government in media regulation
C) It ignores the importance of audience interpretation in media consumption
D) It fails to recognize the role of traditional forms of communication

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90. Which model of communication involves “encoding” and “decoding” of messages as a continuous cycle?

A) Lasswell’s Model
B) Shannon-Weaver Model
C) Osgood-Schramm Model
D) Westley-McLean Model

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91. In the context of mass media in Pakistan, “press freedom” refers to:

A) The ability of journalists to report without government interference
B) The freedom to publish only government-approved content
C) The suppression of news that may cause social unrest
D) The control of media by private corporations

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92. What is the main function of “Media as an Awareness Agent”?

A) To limit public knowledge to official narratives
B) To inform and educate the public on social, political, and cultural issues
C) To entertain audiences with popular content
D) To serve as a tool for corporate advertising

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93. What does the “Media Hegemony” theory propose?

A) Media reflects a democratic representation of society
B) Media promotes the interests of elite groups while marginalizing others
C) Media content is neutral and equally influences all audiences
D) Media fosters social change and equality

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94. The “Shannon-Weaver Model” of communication focuses on:

A) The importance of non-verbal communication
B) The linear communication process with clear roles for sender, message, and receiver
C) The emotional impact of messages on the audience
D) The relationship between mass media and social change

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95. The “Gerbner Model” of communication is primarily concerned with:

A) The role of feedback in media communication
B) The role of television in shaping societal values and norms
C) The impact of media on political systems
D) The interaction between different communication media

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96. What does “Media Freedom” in the context of Pakistani journalism guarantee?

A) The unrestricted ability of the government to control content
B) The independence of media from political influence or censorship
C) The complete absence of regulations for print media
D) The dominance of state-run media in the public space

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97. What does “Community Development” as a communication paradigm emphasize?

A) The imposition of global media trends on local populations
B) Large-scale government-run development projects
C) Grassroots involvement and the use of media to foster local empowerment
D) The expansion of multinational corporations in local markets

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98. The “Alternative Paradigm” of development is based on:

A) The centralized control of media by the state
B) The promotion of economic growth over social equity
C) Community-driven development approaches that challenge traditional media dominance
D) The reliance on multinational companies to guide development efforts

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99. Which of the following is a feature of “Social Responsibility Theory” in media?

A) Media should serve the interests of political elites
B) Media must be accountable for their social impact and serve the public good
C) Media should operate without any restrictions or regulations
D) Media should focus exclusively on commercial interests

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100. “Libel” in the context of media law refers to:

A) The use of defamatory language in a written publication
B) The broadcast of false and harmful information on television
C) The protection of a person’s reputation from unwarranted criticism
D) The restriction of freedom of expression in media

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