1. Information: The media provides a continuous flow of information about the world, from T.V., Newspapers and radio reports the political, sports, entertainment and weather reports, the stock market and news stories and issues that affect us personally.
2. Correlation: The media explains and helps us to understand the meaning of the information. It provides support for established social norms and has an important role in the socialization of children.
3. Continuity: The media has a function in expressing the culture, recognizing new social developments and forging common values.
4. Entertainment: The media provides amusement, diversion and reduces social tension.
5. Mobilization: To encourage economic development, work, religion or support in times of war, the media can campaign to mobilize society to meet these objectives.
6. Social Reformation: The beginnings of the print media and its role in both the spread of the social reform movement and the nationalist movement have been noted. After independence, the print media continued to share the general approach of being a partner in the task of nation-building by taking up developmental issues as well as giving voice to die widest section of people.
The gravest challenge that the media faced was with the declaration of Emergency in 1975 and censorship of the media. Fortunately, the period ended and democracy was restored in 1977. India with its many problems can be justifiably proud of a free media.
7. National Consciousness: It was only in the mid 19th century, with further development rm technologies, transportation, and literacy that newspapers began to reach out to a mass audience. People living in different comers of die country found themselves reading or hearing the same news. It has been suggested that this was in many ways responsible for people across a country to feel connected and develop a sense of belonging or‘we feeling’.
