Assertion (A): In the near future newspapers will disappear.
Reason (R): The rate of growth of television and Internet is very high.
(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: (C)
Explanation:
The assertion (A) suggests that newspapers will disappear in the near future. While digital technologies have rapidly transformed the media landscape, this statement is not entirely accurate. Newspapers are facing challenges due to the rise of digital platforms, but they continue to adapt by embracing online formats, digital subscriptions, and multimedia storytelling. Thus, the claim that newspapers will vanish soon is debatable and depends on how effectively they evolve.
The reason (R) states that the high growth rate of television and the Internet is driving this change. This is true, as these platforms have significantly altered media consumption habits. Television offers visual immediacy, while the Internet provides instant access to diverse content. Social media, online news portals, and streaming services have further reduced the dependency on traditional newspapers for news.
However, while the rapid growth of digital platforms challenges print media, it does not directly mean newspapers will disappear entirely. Newspapers still hold credibility and depth in reporting, which many readers value. Therefore, (A) is true, but (R) is false as it does not justify the inevitability of newspapers disappearing. The correct answer is (C).