Compreshension Test 4
Read the following passage and answer questions.
Perhaps what bothered the media in the 1970s was the shift in liberty being suggested. For centuries, journalists had operated on the basis of negative liberty, or freedom from external restraints. Suddenly, however, the thrust was positive freedom, a freedom for pursuit of some predetermined goals. This new social responsibility seems grounded on a school of thought that sees negative liberty as insufficient and ineffective, somewhat like telling people they are free to walk without first making sure they are not crippled. Who better than the government is able to provide humanity with appropriate means? Government, even a democratic government, is seen by social responsibility adherents as the any-force strong enough to guarantee effective operation of freedom. This does not mollify observers who find social responsibility to be only a slightly disguised version of authoritarianism. Media philosopher John Merrill has been one of the most outspoken critics of the theory. To him, the proposition that pluralism of ideas should be governmentally mandated is ludicrous. Journalists, he says, must retain their freedom to make their own news and editorial judgements. Even well intentioned attempts by outside groups seeking media improvement are self serving, and inevitably lessen the autonomy of journalists, Merrill maintains. This leads us to the issue of media autonomy.
1. What was the basis of the operation of journalists earlier?
(a) Freedom of limited choices
(b) Social responsibility
(c) Free from outside pressure
(d) Government control
2. Some scholars consider social responsibility aspect of media as
(a) Negative freedom
(b) Pluralism
(c) Democratisation of media
(d) Authoritarianism
3. Positive freedom means
(a) Grounded thought
(b) Pursuing certain set goals
(c) Freedom with conditions
(d) Providing identified means
4. The passage critically analyses
(a) Operation of journalists
(b) Mandate for government
(c) Social responsibility theory of media
(d) Regimented autonomy of journalists
5. According to John Merrill, seeking improvement in media, is
(a) Appropriate
(b) Well-intentioned
(c) Inevitable
(d) Self-serving