50 Objective Questions with Answers

Question: What is meant by ‘freedom of the press’ in its restricted sense?
Answer: Freedom from direction or censorship by the government.
Question: Under ordinary conditions, what can the British Press do freely?
Answer: Attack the policy and political character of ministers.
Question: Free people believe that without a free press, there can be no .

Answer: Freedom. Question: During wartime, the Press is subject to .
Answer: Official censorship.
Question: The central doctrine of democracy is that the state is the _ of the people. Answer: Servant. Question: Name the two chief sources of a newspaper’s revenue. Answer: Advertisers and subscribers. Question: Proprietors of newspapers often have _ interests that influence policy.
Answer: Personal.
Question: Advertisers influence the Press by controlling

. Answer: Revenue. Question: The heaviest restriction on public opinion comes from censorship by the Press.
Answer: Unofficial.
Question: The Press exists more to _ opinion than to express it. Answer: Manufacture. Question: Who is the author of the essay “How Free is the Press”? Answer: Dorothy L. Sayers. Question: The Press is described as the _ of democracy.
Answer: Watchdog.
Question: In wartime, the Press must not publish information that might help the

. Answer: Enemy. Question: The Press is not free from during peacetime either.
Answer: Unofficial control.
Question: The Press can be controlled by _ and .

Answer: Advertisers, proprietors.

Question: The first charge against the Press is that it the truth. Answer: Suppresses. Question: The second charge is that the Press _ facts.
Answer: Distorts.
Question: The third charge is that the Press _ scandals. Answer: Manufactures. Question: The fourth charge is that the Press _ public opinion.
Answer: Manipulates.
Question: The fifth charge is that the Press gives _ to sensational news. Answer: Undue prominence. Question: The sixth charge is that the Press _ important news.
Answer: Ignores.
Question: The seventh charge is that the Press is controlled by _ interests. Answer: Vested. Question: The Press is not a _ of public opinion.
Answer: Mirror.
Question: The Press is more of a _ than a reflector. Answer: Manufacturer. Question: The Press can _ the government.
Answer: Criticize.
Question: The Press cannot publish _ during war. Answer: Military secrets. Question: The Press is influenced by _ and .

Answer: Money, power.

Question: The Press often the truth for sensation.
Answer: Sacrifices.
Question: The Press is not free from _ control. Answer: Commercial. Question: The Press is expected to be the _ of the people.
Answer: Voice.
Question: The Press is often the _ of the powerful. Answer: Tool. Question: The Press can _ public opinion.
Answer: Shape.
Question: The Press is not always .

Answer: Truthful.

Question: The Press is free to the government in peacetime.
Answer: Criticize.
Question: The Press is not free from _ influence. Answer: Advertiser. Question: The Press is described as the _ estate.
Answer: Fourth.
Question: The Press should serve the _ interest. Answer: Public. Question: The Press often serves _ interest.
Answer: Private.
Question: The Press is not free from _ bias. Answer: Political. Question: The Press is not free from _ pressure.
Answer: Economic.
Question: The Press can be _ by money. Answer: Bought. Question: The Press is expected to be .

Answer: Impartial. Question: The Press is often . Answer: Biased. Question: The Press should report . Answer: Facts. Question: The Press often reports . Answer: Sensations. Question: The Press is not free from _ control.
Answer: Editorial.
Question: The Press is free to _ in a democracy. Answer: Express opinions. Question: The Press is not free to _ the law.
Answer: Break.
Question: The Press is the _ of democracy. Answer: Pillar. Question: The Press is not always _ to the public.
Answer: Accountable.

20 Subjective Questions (Short & Long) with Answers
Short Answer Questions

Question: What is meant by ‘freedom of the press’ in its restricted sense?
Answer: It means freedom from government direction or censorship.
Question: Why is the Press called the watchdog of democracy?
Answer: Because it monitors the government and protects public interest.
Question: Name any two sources of a newspaper’s revenue.
Answer: Advertisers and subscribers.
Question: What happens to the Press during wartime?
Answer: It comes under official censorship.
Question: What is the central doctrine of democracy regarding the state?
Answer: The state is the servant of the people.
Question: What is the first charge against the Press?
Answer: It suppresses the truth.
Question: What is the seventh charge against the Press?
Answer: It is controlled by vested interests.
Question: Who influences the policy of a newspaper?
Answer: Proprietors and advertisers.
Question: What kind of news does the Press often ignore?
Answer: Important but non-sensational news.
Question: What is the role of the Press in a democracy?
Answer: To inform, educate, and criticize the government.

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Question: Explain the meaning and importance of freedom of the press.
Answer: Freedom of the press means the right to publish news and views without government control. It is important because it ensures transparency, holds the government accountable, and protects democracy. Without it, people cannot make informed decisions.
Question: Discuss any three charges against the Press as mentioned by Dorothy L. Sayers.
Answer:
Suppresses the truth – The Press hides facts to suit its interests.
Distorts facts – It twists information to create sensation.
Manufactures scandals – It creates false controversies for readership.

Question: How do advertisers and proprietors control the Press?
Answer: Advertisers provide major revenue, so newspapers avoid criticizing them. Proprietors have personal or political interests and dictate editorial policy. Thus, the Press serves private interests instead of public good.
Question: Why is the Press not truly free even in peacetime?
Answer: Even in peacetime, the Press faces unofficial control from advertisers, proprietors, and political pressures. It avoids controversial truth to protect revenue and influence, making it less free than it claims.
Question: Describe the role of the Press in a democratic society.
Answer: The Press acts as the fourth estate. It informs citizens, exposes corruption, criticizes government policies, and shapes public opinion. It is a bridge between the people and the state, ensuring accountability and freedom.
Question: What is the difference between official and unofficial censorship?
Answer: Official censorship is imposed by the government, especially during war. Unofficial censorship comes from within the Press—through proprietors, advertisers, or self-censorship to avoid controversy or loss of revenue.
Question: How does the Press manufacture public opinion?
Answer: The Press selects, highlights, or suppresses news to create a desired impression. By giving prominence to certain views and ignoring others, it shapes what people think, rather than just reflecting opinion.
Question: Why does Dorothy L. Sayers say the Press is not a mirror of public opinion?
Answer: A mirror reflects reality as it is. But the Press distorts, selects, and manufactures news to serve its interests. Hence, it is a manufacturer, not a mirror, of public opinion.
Question: Explain the statement: “The state is the servant of the people.”
Answer: In a democracy, the government is elected by the people and exists to serve their welfare. It is not the master but accountable to citizens. The Press ensures this by exposing misuse of power.
Question: Summarize the main argument of the essay “How Free is the Press”.
Answer: Dorothy L. Sayers argues that the Press is not truly free. It faces official censorship in war and unofficial control from money and power in peace. It suppresses truth, distorts facts, and serves private interests instead of the public. True press freedom is an ideal, not reality.