Assertion (A): Mass media in India now suffer from celebrity syndrome.

Reason (R): Inter-media competition has compelled them to opt for it to survive in the field.

Codes:

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true.

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Correct Ans: (B)

Explanation:

Mass media in India increasingly focus on celebrity news, often prioritizing it over critical social issues. This phenomenon, known as celebrity syndrome, dominates television, newspapers, and digital platforms. As a result, media outlets frequently highlight entertainment news, celebrity scandals, and personal lives instead of more pressing matters.

Inter-media competition forces news organizations to adopt this strategy for survival. The growing number of media channels creates intense pressure to attract and retain audiences. Since celebrity-related content easily garners public attention, media houses prefer sensational stories over investigative journalism. Moreover, the rise of digital media and social platforms further accelerates this trend, as viral celebrity news drives higher engagement and advertising revenue.

However, this shift negatively impacts journalistic integrity. It diverts attention from important socio-political issues, reducing public awareness of critical matters. Audiences, in turn, consume more entertainment-driven content rather than informative news. Despite this, some media houses still strive to balance celebrity coverage with responsible journalism.

Both assertion (A) and reason (R) are true, as inter-media competition pushes media organizations to embrace celebrity syndrome. However, (R) does not fully explain (A) because other factors, such as audience preferences and commercial interests, also contribute. Hence, option (B) is correct.