Syndicates decides
(A) Which news stories to publish or reject
(B) Which subjects should be reported in media
(C) Which news articles or features should be released to newspapers and other news organisations
(D) Which copy of Press Information Bureau should reach news media and which should not
Correct Ans: (C)
Explanation:
In mass media, syndicates serve as intermediaries that distribute news stories, opinion columns, comic strips, and features to multiple news outlets. Their primary role involves deciding which news articles or features should be released to newspapers and other news organizations, making option (C) the correct answer.
Syndicates do not produce original news like reporters or journalists. Instead, they manage a collection of content from various contributors, including writers, cartoonists, and photographers. Then, they license or sell this content to multiple media houses. As a result, several newspapers might publish the same column or cartoon strip simultaneously because they all subscribe to the same syndicate.
Now, let’s analyze why the other options are incorrect:
- (A) refers to the editorial role of a newspaper, not the syndicate. Editors decide what stories to publish or reject within their own outlet.
- (B) suggests a broader, agenda-setting function, typically managed by media executives or producers, not syndicates.
- (D) refers to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), a government agency that handles official communication. Syndicates operate separately from government press offices.
Moreover, syndicates provide content that may be too expensive for smaller newspapers to produce themselves. Therefore, they help maintain content quality and consistency across regional and local publications. This system also enables talented writers and cartoonists to reach wider audiences without working for a specific newspaper.
In conclusion, syndicates shape what readers see by deciding what content gets shared across media platforms. Hence, option (C) is not just correct—it reflects the essential function syndicates perform in modern journalism.
