The Hindu, English-language daily newspaper published in Chennai (Madras), is generally regarded as one of India’s most influential dailies.
Established in 1878 as a weekly. The Hindu became a daily in 1889. While India was under British Rule, the paper spoke out for independence – but in a moderate vein. After India achieved independence in 1947, The Hindu built a network of foreign bureaus while extending its coverage of India.
The Hindu is distinguished for its comprehensive coverage of national and international political news and for its emphasis on accuracy and balanced coverage. Although it is published in a provincial capital. The Hindu’s reportage and editorials are read carefully and taken seriously in the national capital. At the beginning of the 21st century, its daily circulation exceeded 900,000. The newspaper’s parent company, Hindu Group Publications, also publishes the Hindu Business Line, a daily business paper, and popular magazines such as Frontline and Sports Star.
Good media is media that is free, fair and uninfluenced by the Government. The Hindu according to the passage will qualify as a good newspaper because:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → It spoke for the Indian Independence when Britishers were ruling over India.
The question defines good media as free, fair and uninfluenced by the Government. The passage says that while India was under British Rule, the paper spoke out for independence. Supporting freedom while the ruling government was British shows that the paper was not controlled by those in power.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: It had successfully built a network of Indian bureaus — Incorrect. Contradicted: the passage speaks of a network of foreign bureaus; and a network of offices shows size, not freedom from the Government.
Option 2: Its daily circulation had crossed only 2 lakh at the beginning of the 21st century — Incorrect. Contradicted: the circulation exceeded 900,000, not 2 lakh; and circulation figures say nothing about independence.
Option 4: It was influenced by the power and glamour of Europe — Incorrect. Not mentioned: the passage says nothing of the kind; being influenced by a foreign power is the opposite of free, uninfluenced media.