MCM101 Lesson 8

LESSON 8: MESSAGE – ROOT OF COMMUNICATION II

1. What is described as the “most sensitive area” in communication?
   The message is described as the most sensitive area in communication.
2. According to the lesson, why does the conflict over Kashmir persist despite similar statements from all parties?
   The conflict persists because the same set of words (“peaceful solution”) carries different meanings for different receivers, such as India, Pakistan, and the people of Kashmir.
3. What are ‘misgivings’ in the context of mass communication?
   Misgivings are doubts that arise in the mind of the receiver because a message in mass communication is never understood from the face value of the words, no matter how carefully they are chosen.
4. What is ‘propaganda’?
   Propaganda is a deliberate effort by the sender to distort facts and the outlook of a situation to further aggravate meanings on a given subject and reap benefits by damaging the enemy.
5. What commercial use of a message in mass communication led to a new industry?
   The use of a message to garner commercial benefit led to the advertising industry.
6. What is one suggested solution to avoid misunderstandings in messages?
   One solution is the use of a standard language, employing polite and decent words that command more acceptability.
7. How can ‘brevity of message’ help in situations of severe conflict?
   Issuing a brief and calculated statement with fewer words can cause fewer infringements and save a situation from escalating and generating more confusion or tension.
8. Why is it important to consider ‘ethics’ when composing a message for a multicultural world?
   Because the world is multicultural, and a message produced in one culture may hurt viewers in another part of the world where cultural and religious values are different.
9. Explain why a message can never be understood with “hundred per cent purity.”
   The sender is never in a position to ascertain how the receiver will interpret the message, and the inherent properties of human language and context make perfect understanding impossible.
10. Explain how the same set of words can lead to conflict, using the Kashmir example.
    All parties (India, Pakistan, UN, etc.) say they want a “peaceful solution,” but each attributes different meanings and conditions to these words, leading to a deepening conflict instead of a resolution.
11. How can a message become a source of commercial benefit?
    A message can be molded to promote products or services, which has led to the establishment of the advertising industry within mass communication.
12. Explain why a message in mass communication is prone to causing misgivings.
    Because receivers never take messages at face value; they interpret them based on their own preconceptions, experiences, and biases, leading to doubts about the true intent behind the words.
13. How does the context of a conflict make composing a message particularly difficult?
    In a conflict, even the softest and most carefully picked words by one party may not appease the other side, and objective observations can be perceived as biased, fueling the conflict further.
14. Explain the role of ‘ethics’ in message composition for mass communication.
    Ethics require the composer to abide by religious and social values dear to people, ensuring the message does not offend cultural sensitivities and does justice by respecting these values.
15. Why might a cartoon in a newspaper cause different reactions among readers?
    A cartoon, a blend of verbal and non-verbal communication, may bring smiles to one political group while outraging another, as different groups interpret the satire or message based on their political affiliations.
16. How does the use of a ‘standard language’ serve as a solution to communication problems?
    Using a standard language with polite and decent words commands more general acceptability than harsh or intimidating words, especially on matters of dispute, reducing the chance of escalation.
17. A government is negotiating a tense trade deal with another country. Based on the lesson, what strategy should its diplomats use when issuing public statements?
    Diplomats should use a ‘Standard Language’ that is polite, decent, and brief to maximize acceptability and avoid words that could be misinterpreted and escalate tensions.
18. Analyze the following scenario: A TV network plans to broadcast a comedy show produced in Country A to Country B, where social norms are more conservative. What potential problem is highlighted by the lesson?
    The lesson highlights the problem of ‘Ethics’. The show might violate the religious or social values of the audience in Country B, causing offense and backlash.
19. A company is accused of false advertising. Based on the lesson, what controversial aspect of commercial messages does this relate to?
    This relates to the controversy of whether a message with commercial value tells the truth or discards it, as advertising aims to garner commercial benefit, sometimes at the expense of complete honesty.
20. Two rival politicians both use the slogan “For the People” in their campaigns. Based on the lesson, why might this still lead to political conflict?
    Despite using the same words, “For the People” carries different meanings and promises for the supporters of each politician, leading to conflict as each side interprets the slogan according to their own agenda and understanding.
21. Apply your knowledge: Why is it “next to impossible” for a student of mass communication to address all people belonging to different cultures?
    Because cultures assign different meanings to words and symbols. A message composed in one cultural context is almost guaranteed to be interpreted differently, and often offensively, in another, due to vast differences in values and norms.
22. A news agency is reporting on a highly polarized political issue. Based on the lesson, what is one technique they could use to minimize the perception of bias?
    They could employ ‘Brevity of Message’, issuing a brief, factual, and calculated statement that uses fewer words, thereby offering fewer points for infringement and controversy.
23. A public figure is caught making a controversial statement. Based on the concept of ‘misgivings’, how will the public likely interpret their subsequent apology?
    The public is likely to have misgivings about the apology; they will not take it at face value and will doubt its sincerity, interpreting it through the lens of the original controversy and their pre-existing beliefs about the figure.
24. Based on the lesson, what is the fundamental reason why propaganda is an effective tool in wars and political discords?
    Propaganda is effective because it deliberately exploits the inherent ambiguity of messages, distorting facts to manipulate the understanding and emotions of the target audience, thereby aggravating the conflict to benefit the sender.
25. If you were advising an international organization on drafting a joint statement between two conflicting nations, what two key principles from the lesson would you recommend?
    I would recommend 1) Using a Standard Language that is universally polite and acceptable, and 2) Ensuring Brevity to minimize the potential for misinterpretation and conflict escalation.