(Syllabus) Himachal Pradesh PSC: State Eligibility Test (Mass Communication & Journalism)

Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission

SET: Mass Communication & Journalism (Code-30)

Paper-II Paper-III (Part A & B)

Unit-I

• Communication and Journalism – Basic terms, Concepts and definition, Nature and process
• Types of Communication
• Mass communication –Nature of media and content
• Mass communication in India-Reach, access and nature of audience

Unit-II

• Role of media in society
• Characteristics of Indian society-Demographic and sociological impact of Media in general
• Impact of media on specific audiences-Women, children, etc.
• Mass media effects studies and their limitations
• Mass campaigns for specific issues-Social concerns, environment, human rights, gender equality
• The press, radio, television, cinema and traditional form of communication

Unit-III

• Journalism as a profession
• Journalists-Their role and responsibilities
• Indian Constitution and freedom of press
• Research restrictions
• Ethics and journalism
• Careers in Journalism and mass media
• Training –Problems, perception and response by the industry
• Media management-Principles and practices
• Professional organizations in Media
• Media Laws in India

Unit-IV

• History of Print and Broadcast media in general with particular reference to India
• Post-independent developments in print
• Newspapers-English and Indian language press-major landmarks
• Magazines-Their role, bookphase and contemporary situation
• Small newspapers-Problems and prospects
• Press Commission, Press Councils-Their recommendations and status
• Development of Radio after independence-Extension role, radio rural forums and local broadcasting-General and specific audience programmes
• Development of television –Perception, initial development and experimental approach; SITE phase and evaluation, Expansion of television-Post-Asiad phase, issues concerns and debates over a period of time
• Committees in broadcasting-Background, recommendations and implementation
• Cinema-Historical overview and contemporary analysis-Commercial, parallel and documentary genres-Problems and prospects for the film industry

Unit-V

• Communication and theories of social change
• Role of media in social change-Dominant paradigms
• Critique of the Dominant paradigm and alternative conception
• Development initiatives-State, market and the third force (NGO sector)
• Participatory approaches and community media-Ownership and management perspectives

Unit-VI

• Introduction of research methods and process
• Mass communication research-Historical overview
• Administrative and critical traditions
• Effects research-Strengths and limitations
• Communication research in India-Landmark studies related to SITE
• Content analysis-Quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Market research and its relationship to communication particularly advertising
• Sampling techniques-Strengths and limitations
• Statistical methods of analysis basics

Unit-VII

• Colonial structures of communication
• Decolonisation and aspirations of nations
• Conflicts related to media coverage and representation
• International news agencies-Critique
• MacBride Commission-Recommendations and policy options
• Contemporary issues related to transnational broadcasting and its impact on culture, various perspectives and cultural impact
• Convergence of media-Problems and options
• Media Policies in an International Context
• India’s position and approach to international communication issues

Unit-VIII

• Radio & TV and Video as Media of Communication
• Grammar of TV & Radio and Video
• The production team
• Role of Producer
• Different types of programmes
• Writing for Radio
• Writing for TV-Researching for Scripts
• The Visual Language
• Camera Movements
• Basic Theories of Composition-Cues and Commands
• Formats for Radio-Television-News, Sitcoms, Features, Commercials, Operas,
• Documentaries, Cinema, Theatre, Drama
• Editing Theory and Practice
• Sound Design, Microphones, Sets and Lighting
• Satellite, Cable television, Computers, Microchips

Unit-IX

• Advertising
• Marketing
• Ad copy and Layout
• Public Relations
• Public Opinion
• Propaganda

Unit-X

• The Techniques
• Different forms of writing
• Printing Technology and Production methods
• News agencies
• Syndicates and Freelancing
• Specialised areas of Journalism

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