How this paper is set and answered
From the notes printed under FPSC's own Revised Scheme tables.
- Ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper of Essay. Similarly there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Complete Journalism & Mass Communication Syllabus
The full official FPSC syllabus, reproduced section by section from the source document.
1Introduction to Mass Communication
10 points
- Concept – Definitions, Need/Importance/Purposes, Types of Communication, Process of Communication, Basic Models.
- Functions of a model, Evaluation of a model
- Basic models in Mass Communication: -
- Lasswell’s Model (1948)
- Shannon-Weaver model (1948)
- Osgood,s model (1954)
- Schramm’s model (1954)
- Newcomb’s symmetry theory (1953)
- Westley-McLean’s model (1976)
- Gerbner model (1956)
2Mass Communication Theories
9 points
- Normative theories of the press: Schramm’s four theories and criticism on these theories
- Media as agents of power
- The Spiral of silence
- Media Usage and gratifications
- Media hegemony
- Diffusion of innovations
- Powerful effects model: hypodermic needle, magic bullet theory.
- Moderate effects model: two-step and multi-step flow of communication.
- Powerful media revisited: Marshal McLuhan’s media determinism
3Global / International Communication
6 points
- The Historical Context of International Communication
- Globalization, technology, and the mass media
- Communication and Cultural imperialism
- Communication Flow in Global Media: Imbalance in the flow of information between North and South
- McBride commission and its recommendations.
- International Communication in the Internet Age: the new social media and its effects on developing world
4Media and Society
6 points
- Mass media and social change
- Media as a social system: The balance between interrelation and interdependence
- Media freedom and its role for democracy,
- The functional approach to mass media: four social functions of the media
- Media as an awareness agent
- Mass media and social representation
5Mass Media in Pakistan:
9 points
- Media system in Pakistan: historical, chronological, and analytical review
- The system of journalism and the media system
- Employer-employee relations in Pakistani media
- Government-press relations
- Press in Pakistan: The newspaper industry, from mission to the market
- Electronic media: from total dependence to enormous power
- The new 24/7 television: uses and abuses
- The new radio: potential for change and the present performance.
- The question of freedom and responsibility
6Development Support Communication
7 points
- Theories of development support communication with specific focus on the developing world
- The dominant paradigm of development: historical, analytical perspective
- The Alternative paradigm of development
- Small is beautiful: community development as a snowball effect.
- Globalization vs Localization
- Glocalization
- Social Marketing: how to infuse new ideas into a developing population
7Public Relations:
10 points
- Concept of Public Relations
- Historical development of public relations: from press agentry to PR
- Public relation in Pakistan
- Ministry of information
- Press Information Department (PID)
- Public relations and publicity
- PR as a tool for governance
- Private PR agencies and their structure
- Basic methods of PR: press release, press note, press conference
- PR Ethics
8Media Laws and Ethics:
10 points
- History of Media Laws in Pakistan
- Development of media regulations from British colonial era to independent Pakistan
- Libel, Defamation and relevant portions of PPC
- PPO, RPPPO
- PEMRA: establishment, development, and operational mechanisms
- Press Council of Pakistan (PCP)
- Citizens Media Commission: need, present status, and reasons for inactivity
- Press Code of Ethics
- Inability of the media to develop a code of ethics as an institution
- The media’s quest for freedom and its inability to self regulate.
Academic Strategy for Journalism
Journalism & Mass Communication is a 100-mark subject that delves into the theoretical foundations of communication, the role of media in society, and specific aspects of the media landscape in Pakistan. It tests a candidate's understanding of communication models, media theories, global communication dynamics, and the ethical and legal framework governing media. A strong script demonstrates conceptual clarity, critical analysis of theories, and the ability to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios, particularly within the Pakistani context.
Journalism & Mass Communication (100 marks) is a dynamic, highly relevant subject analyzing the flow of modern information and media ethics.
1. Mass Media Theories: Master theories such as Agenda Setting, Gatekeeping, Cultivation Theory, and Uses and Gratifications. Apply these to how modern Pakistani media operates.
2. Media Ethics and Law: Study the draconian vs. liberal media laws, censorship history, and organizations regulating electronic media (PEMRA) in Pakistan.
3. Digital and PR Convergence: Focus heavily on the rising monopolistic power of digital/social media and strategic Public Relations (PR) management in the corporate and political spheres.
Paper by paper
Approach Paper I by first building a strong theoretical foundation from the 'Introduction to Mass Communication' and 'Mass Communication Theories' sections. Subsequently, focus on the 'Mass Media in Pakistan' and 'Media Laws and Ethics' sections, as these require specific, contextual knowledge and are frequently examined. Develop critical thinking to analyse the interplay between media, society, and development, ensuring answers are well-structured and supported by relevant examples from the syllabus.
A six-month plan
- 1Foundation BuildingWeeks 1-6
Master the 'Introduction to Mass Communication' and 'Mass Communication Theories' sections. Understand basic communication models, normative theories of the press, and various effects models like the hypodermic needle and two-step flow.
- 2Global & Societal ContextWeeks 7-12
Delve into 'Global / International Communication' and 'Media and Society'. Analyse topics such as cultural imperialism, communication flow imbalances, the McBride commission, and media's role in social change and democracy.
- 3Pakistan Specifics & DevelopmentWeeks 13-18
Concentrate on 'Mass Media in Pakistan' and 'Development Support Communication'. Study the historical review of media in Pakistan, government-press relations, and theories of development communication, including the dominant and alternative paradigms.
- 4Practical & Ethical AspectsWeeks 19-24
Cover 'Public Relations' and 'Media Laws and Ethics'. Understand PR concepts, its development in Pakistan, and the history and application of media laws, including PEMRA, libel, and press codes of ethics.
- 5Revision & PracticeWeeks 25-26
Undertake comprehensive revision of all sections. Focus on integrating concepts across topics and practising essay writing, ensuring answers are analytical, well-structured, and specific to the subject matter.
Using CSSPrep.AI for Journalism & Mass Communication
Only the tools that genuinely support this subject are listed.
Use it to structure answers for descriptive questions. Build outlines and argument paragraphs for complex topics, ensuring logical flow and comprehensive coverage.
Try: Discuss the 'Spiral of silence' theory and its implications for media's role in shaping public opinion.
Utilise for diagnostic and adaptive MCQ practice. Test objective knowledge of definitions, models, and key concepts, identifying areas requiring further study and revision.
Submit written answers to get feedback against the CSS rubric. Assess structure, content, evidence, and language scores to refine writing style and analytical depth for the actual examination.
High-yield topics
Each one is traced back to the section of the official syllabus it comes from.
These models are fundamental to understanding communication processes and are frequently tested for definitions, comparisons, and critical evaluations.
Syllabus section: Introduction to Mass Communication
This is a core theoretical framework for analysing media systems globally and critically evaluating its applicability is often required.
Syllabus section: Mass Communication Theories
This theory explains how new ideas spread through societies, making it highly relevant for development communication and social change discussions.
Syllabus section: Mass Communication Theories
This topic requires specific knowledge of the local context, covering the evolution of media, government relations, and industry dynamics, which is frequently examined.
Syllabus section: Mass Media in Pakistan:
A landmark in international communication discussions, understanding its context and recommendations is crucial for global information flow debates.
Syllabus section: Global / International Communication
This directly addresses the media's role in developing countries, a recurring theme in CSS papers, requiring an understanding of dominant and alternative paradigms.
Syllabus section: Development Support Communication
Essential for understanding media regulation in Pakistan, this is a key component of media laws and its functions are often tested.
Syllabus section: Media Laws and Ethics:
Common mistakes in Journalism & Mass Communication answers
- Failing to connect theoretical concepts and models to the specific context of the Pakistani media landscape.
- Providing generic answers without specific examples, critical analysis, or references to the syllabus's detailed points.
- Confusing different communication models or mass communication theories, leading to inaccurate explanations.
- Lack of up-to-date knowledge on media laws, regulations, and ethical challenges as outlined in the syllabus for Pakistan.
- Poor structuring of answers, which results in disjointed arguments and makes it difficult for the examiner to follow the candidate's reasoning.
- Not adequately addressing the 'why' or 'how' in questions, sticking to mere definitions rather than analytical discussion.
FPSC recommended books
The 31 books FPSC lists for Journalism & Mass Communication in the official syllabus.
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| 1. Broadcast Regulations: the German Example | Metzger, Herbert. FES 1993. |
| 2. Communication Models for The Study of Mass Communication, 2nd Ed | McQuail, Dennis &Windhal, Swen, Longman, 1982. |
| 3. Convergence Culture: Where old and new Media | Blackwell publishing Ltd, USA. |
| 4. Communication Theories: Origins, Methods and Uses in the Mass Media 5th Ed | Werner J. Severin, James W. Tankard Jr. Longman, 1997. |
| 5. Diffusion of Innovations 5th Ed | Rogers, Everett M. Free Press 2003 |
| 6. Ethics in Journalism: A Reader on Their Perception in the Third World | Kunczik, Michael (Ed.). FES 1999. |
| 7. Handbook of International and Intercultural Communication 2nd Ed | Gudykunst & Mody, Sage, 2001. |
| 8. McQuail's Mass Communication Theory, 4th Ed | Denis McQuail. Sage, 2000. |
| 9. Media And Society into the 21st Century: A Historical Introduction | Blackwell publishing Ltd, USA. |
| 10. “Media / Impact” | Wads Worth/ Thompson Learning, Belmont, CA |
| 11. “Media Now: Communication Media in the Information Age” | Wads Worth/Thompson Learning, Belmont, CA |
| 12. News Media and Journalism in Pakistan | Khan, Altaf. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing. June 2011. |
| 13. News Media and Journalism in Pakistan and Germany (Ed.) | Khan, Altaf. Peshawar, 2003. |
| 14. Participatory Development | Hasan, Arif, Oxford, 2010. |
| 15. Political Communication in Britain: The Leader Debates, the Campaign and the Media in the 2010 General Election, (Ed) | Palgrave McMillan, UK |
| 16. Political Communication in Asia, | Roultage, NY. |
| 17. “Precision Journalism: A Reporter’s Introduction to Social and Science Methods”, 4th Ed | Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, MD. |
| 18. Report and Recommendations of the Media Commission, appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, 2013 | FES, Islamabad, 2013. |
| 19. Reporting the Frontier: Media Capacity Building for Peace in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas | Khan, Altaf VDM Verlag Dr. Müllere.K. June 2011. |
| 20. “Writing, Directing, and Producing Documentary Films and Vidoes”,.3rd edition | Carbondale: Southern Illinois Press, 2002. |
| 21. “Directing the Documentary”, 4th edition | Focal Press, 2004. |
| 22. “Documentary Storytelling: Making Stronger and More Dramatic Nonfiction Films”, 2nd edition | Focal Press, 2007. |
| 23. Principles of Editing | McGraw-Hill 1996 |
| 24. Journalism–Principles and Practices | Vistaar Publications 2006 |
| 25. The Hand Book of New Media | London: Sage |
| 26. Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life: An Introduction (2nd Edition) | London: Sage |
| 27. Controversies in Contemporary Advertising | Newbury Park: Sage Publications |
| 28. "Public Relations-Writing & Media Techniques" | Harper Collins College Publishers, NY |
| 29. Telecommunications Policy in Pakistan” | Telematics and Informatics |
| 30. “Guaranteeing Copyright- Media Manager’s Guide to Pakistani Broadcast Law” | Media Manager Companion Series Internews Pakistan |
| 31. “Model Freedom of Information Act”, 2001 | Consumer rights Protection Commission of Pakistan |
Frequently asked questions
Is Journalism & Mass Communication a scoring subject?
It can be a scoring subject if prepared thoroughly, especially by focusing on conceptual clarity and applying theories to the Pakistani context. Strong analytical skills and well-structured answers are key to performing well in this paper.
How much emphasis should be placed on the theoretical models?
Significant emphasis. The 'Introduction to Mass Communication' and 'Mass Communication Theories' sections are foundational. A deep understanding of these models and theories is crucial for answering many questions, often requiring comparisons and critical evaluations.
Do I need to memorise all the recommended books?
No, the recommended books serve as comprehensive resources. Your primary focus should be on understanding the concepts and theories outlined in the official FPSC syllabus. You can refer to relevant sections of these books for deeper insight into specific topics as needed.
How can I effectively prepare for the 'Mass Media in Pakistan' section?
This section requires specific knowledge. Focus on the historical, chronological, and analytical review of the media system, government-press relations, and the evolution of electronic media as outlined in the syllabus. Stay updated on the dynamics mentioned in the syllabus points.
What is the importance of 'Media Laws and Ethics'?
This section is vital for understanding the regulatory framework and ethical challenges of media in Pakistan. Questions often test knowledge of historical development, specific laws like PEMRA, and ethical dilemmas faced by the media, requiring detailed factual recall and analysis.
Should I focus more on international or local aspects?
Both are important and equally weighted in the syllabus. The guide includes specific sections for 'Global / International Communication' and 'Mass Media in Pakistan'. A balanced approach is necessary, demonstrating how international theories apply to or differ from the local context.
How can I improve my answer writing for this subject?
Practice structuring your answers logically, providing clear definitions, critical analysis, and relevant examples. Use the Evaluator tool to get feedback on structure, content, evidence, and language, and refine your approach based on its scores to meet CSS standards.
Syllabus text reproduced from Revised Syllabi for CSS Competitive Examination, CE-2016 (updated 7 July 2015), pages 104-107. Marks and grouping are from the same document's Revised Scheme tables. Verify against the official PDF before relying on it.