UGC NET/JRF EXAM, Mass Communication and Journalism, June-2025

Total Questions: 100

61. Which of the following element must be present for libel to be actionable?

A. The defamatory material much be communicated to a third party
B. There must be communication of a false statement
C. A plaintiff is identified by name or otherwise
D. A plaintiff's reputation was hurt
E. The defamatory statement was published with negligence

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. A, B, C, D, E only
Solution:All five elements must be present for libel to be actionable because defamation law requires a false statement (B) that identifies the plaintiff directly or indirectly (C), is published or communicated to a third party (A), and harms the plaintiff's reputation (D).

Additionally, the statement must be made with negligence or fault (E), establishing responsibility. Without any of these elements, a libel suit cannot be successfully pursued, as each criterion forms part of the legal foundation proving actionable defamation in civil courts.

62. Under Section 13 of Press Council of India Act 1978, the objectives of the PCI are:

A. To protect the freedom of the press
B. To mainta.n and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies
C. To conduct research and express opinion to the Government in regard to enable and law concerning the press
D. Constitute a special committee to make on-the-spot settlement of complaints against the press

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. A, B, C, D only
Solution:Section 13 of the Press Council of India Act, 1978 outlines a broad set of objectives that collectively define the Council's mandate. It includes protecting the freedom of the press (A), which ensures that newspapers and journalists can function without undue influence or suppression.

It also mandates maintaining and improving the standards of newspapers and news agencies (B), thereby promoting ethical journalism and professional integrity.

The Act further empowers the PCI to conduct research and express informed opinions to the Government on matters relating to press laws, regulations, and evolving media challenges (C), ensuring that policymaking benefits from expert input.

In addition, the Council is authorized to constitute committees or mechanisms to facilitate settlement of complaints, inquiries, or disputes related to the press (D), enabling efficient, fair, and timely resolution.

Since all these functions flow from the objectives and powers granted under the Act, the correct combination is A, B, C, and D.

63. The Central Bureau of Communication was created in 2017 by integrating which of the following?

A. DAVP
B. Press Information Bureau
C. Directorate of Field Publicity
D. Song and Drama Division
E. Publications Division

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. A, C, D only
Solution:The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), created in 2017, was formed by integrating the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) (A), the Directorate of Field Publicity (C), and the Song and Drama Division (D).

These three units were merged to streamline government communication and outreach across multimedia platforms.

The Press Information Bureau (B) and Publications Division (E) remained separate entities and were not part of this integration. Hence, A, C, and D correctly identify the organizations merged to form CBC.

64. Which of the following constructs explain Web 2.0?

A. Social Networking
B. User-added possibilities
C. Static content
D. Interaction orientation
E. Personalization and customization of communication

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. А, B, D, E only
Solution:Web 2.0 is defined by interactive, participatory, user-centered online environments characterized by social networking (A), user-added and usergenerated content possibilities (B), interaction orientation such as commenting and sharing (D), and communication personalization or customization (E).

Static content (C) does not represent Web 2.0; it belongs to Web 1.0, which was one-way and non-interactive. Therefore, A, B, D, and E accurately describe the constructs of Web 2.0.

65. Which is/are television Programme scheduling strategies?

A. Stripping
B. Hammocking
C. Bridging
D. Themming
E. Audience Flow

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. A, B, C, D only
Solution:Television programme scheduling strategies include Stripping (A), where the same show airs at the same time each day; Hammocking
(B), placing a weaker show between two strong shows;

Bridging (C), running a program into the next time slot to reduce audience switching; and Themming (D), where programmes are grouped around a theme to attract targeted viewers.

Audience Flow (E) is not a strategy itself but an outcome or audience movement concept used in analyzing scheduling effectiveness. Thus, the correct strategies are A, B, C, and D.

66. Identify the correct statements from the following:

A. Mass Media are also called Magic Multipliers.
B. The term 'yellow journalism' was coined to describe the rivalry between two television networks.
C. The Voice of America is a private funded broadcasting system launched in 1938.
D. Al-Jazeera is based in Qatar and was launched in 1996.
E. National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in the US was founded in 1926.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. A, D, E only
Solution:Mass media are often described as Magic Multipliers (A) because they amplify messages rapidly across large populations. Al-Jazeera (D) is correctly based in Qatar and launched in 1996, becoming one of the most influential global news channels.

NBC (E), the National Broadcasting Company in the U.S., was founded in 1926, making it one of the world's earliest broadcast networks. Statement B is incorrect because "yellow journalism" refers to sensationalized newspaper rivalry of Pulitzer vs. Hearst, not TV networks.

Statement C is incorrect because Voice of America is a state-funded U.S. government broadcaster and began in 1942, not 1938. Hence, A, D, and E are correct.

67. Identify the correct statements from the following:

A. Persian Gulf War was the first live televised war.
B. The Colour Television was launched in India with Asian Games in 1982.
C. The Cold War was as a psychological warfare.
D. The USSR was disintegrated in 1987.
E. The Kargil war took place in 1995.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. A, B, C only
Solution:The Persian Gulf War of 1991 (A) was indeed the first live televised war, bringing real-time battlefield images globally. Colour television in India (B) began officially in 1982 with the Asian Games broadcast.

The Cold War (C) is correctly described as psychological warfare, driven by propaganda, ideologies, and influence rather than direct military conflict.

Statement D is wrong because the USSR dissolved in 1991, not 1987. Statement E is wrong because the Kargil War occurred in 1999, not 1995. Therefore, A, B, and C are correct.

68. The statutory functions of the RNI include:

A. Compilation and maintenance of Register of newspapers
B. Issue certificate of registration
C. Formulate newsprint allocation policy
D. Preparation and submission of the report on Press in India
E. Assessing and certifying the essential needs of newspaper establishments

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. A, B, D only
Solution:The Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) maintains the official Register of Newspapers (A), issues certificates of registration (B), and prepares the annual report titled Press in India (D).

RNI does not formulate newsprint allocation policy (C)-this function was discontinued after deregulation. It also does not assess essential needs of newspaper establishments (E), which falls under other administrative frameworks. Thus, A, B, and D correctly list statutory functions of RNI.

69. Identify the correct statements from the following:

A. Yahoo was originally called 'Swift Guide to World Wide Web'.
B. AI systems have the ability to initiate a thought and evaluate a reasoning.
C. Instagram facilitates the use of one of the eleven different filters to enhance photo quality.
D. The origins of snapchat began as an earlier app known as Picaboо.
E. ANN (Artificial Neural Network) is based on the biological neural networks.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. C, D, E only
Solution:Instagram (C) indeed offers built-in filters to enhance photo quality, and although the exact number has changed over time, the core idea that Instagram provides multiple enhancement filters remains correct.

Snapchat's earliest version (D) was named Picaboo before it was re-launched as Snapchat, confirming that the platform's origins
lie in a previous app.

Artificial Neural Networks (E) are modeled on biological neural networks, taking inspiration from how human neurons process information to construct computational layers.

Statement A is incorrect because Yahoo originally began as "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," not "Swift Guide.

Statement B is not accepted in classical communication and computing theory because AI does not initiate thought independently; it responds based on patterns and algorithms, not self-generated cognition. Therefore, the correct set matching the question framework is C, D, and E only.

70. Identify the correct statement from the following:

A. Internet is a medium that facilitates spending more time with real human beings.
B. Internet use accelerates individualization
C. In a communicative field, the first age media is characterised by a form of separation and unity.
D. Broadcast involves a temporal separation between the point of communication and point of consumption.
E. The world wide web can deliver readymade mass to advertisers.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. B, C, D only
Solution:Internet use (B) fosters individualization because users curate personalized spaces, networks, and content, leading to more individualized lifestyles.

First-age media (C) such as print represent separation (distance between communicator and audience) yet unity (shared consumption), making the statement accurate.

Broadcasting (D) does involve temporal separation, as the communication is produced at one moment/ location and consumed instantly across different places, fulfilling this classical characteristic.

Statement A is incorrect because internet use tends to increase virtual interaction, not time with real humans. Statement E is incorrect because the web does not deliver "ready-made mass"; it provides fragmented, niche audiences. Thus, B, C, and D are correct.