MCM101 Final Term Latest Past Papers 2025

Revival of Ideas through Print

Between the 14th and 16th centuries, Europe witnessed a significant transformation in its social and economic structures. The arrival of the printing press during this time greatly enhanced the speed and reach of printed communication, fueling the spread of fresh ideas and altering the nature of public debate. During this time of economic transformation, Italy emerged as a hub of change, particularly after the death of King Frederick II in 1250. With Frederick's passing, the power once concentrated in the hands of emperors began to fade. Subsequent emperors lacked Frederick's authority, allowing various popes to assume control. As a result, the balance of political power moved away from monarchs and increasingly fell into the hands of church leaders.


As the Renaissance gained momentum, smaller Italian republics evolved into strong dictatorships. The political epicenter moved from rural lands to urban centers, paving the way for city-based governance. Europe, meanwhile, saw the rise of independent, self-sustaining communities. At the height of the Renaissance, Italy boasted five prominent city-states: the merged territories of Naples and Sicily, the Papal State, Florence, Milan, and Venice.

Managing the Evolution of Print Media

In its earliest stages, the world of print communication was far from standardized. Publications during this era were irregular issues would not always appear on the same day, nor did they maintain consistent layouts, page counts, or content structures. This irregularity persisted until the late 18th century. However, as new advertising practices emerged and printing technology advanced, the 19th century ushered in an era of discipline for print media. Newspapers began to adopt regular schedules, focusing on content consistency and punctual delivery to establish their presence in the marketplace.

Managing print media is no simple feat. Today, universities and colleges offer specialized programs in media management, recognizing the complexities of running a publication. Skilled professionals are often brought in to guide editorial teams and ensure publications run smoothly and effectively.

Financial Management within Publications

Sound financial oversight is crucial for the long-term viability of any newspaper or magazine. Each newspaper or magazine must oversee the money it earns and the expenses it incurs. To generate revenue, dedicated departments handle advertising and circulation. Advertising teams continually develop campaigns aimed at boosting income. They also establish rates based on ad type and placement—ads in vibrant colors or at specific, high-traffic spots command higher fees. In prominent newspapers, the cost of a prime ad placement can be up to 400% more than that of a standard spot. Brief, single-column ads are typically categorized as classified, while larger, visually engaging ones are known as display ads. Newspapers usually require payment in advance for advertisements, though advertising agencies may be granted credit periods, often up to 90 days, depending on the publication.

The Printing Process: Press Matters

Within a publication’s operations, the printing press holds a central role, often simply referred to as “the press.” This department manages everything related to the printing process. One key task is to advise ownership on newsprint requirements massive paper rolls used for daily printing. This involves calculating the volume of newsprint needed to match the publication’s size and page count, ensuring enough stock is available to meet demand.

The press team also handles the technical aspects of turning editorial and advertising content into printed pages. They use cameras to photograph final page layouts, create printing plates, and prepare the inks necessary to reproduce these pages in print form. From the initial filming of layouts to the actual printing process, the press department ensures each step is meticulously managed to maintain quality and consistency.

The Impact of Photography on Print Media

For nearly four centuries following the 1443 invention of the printing press, print media primarily relied on text and hand-drawn images like illustrations and cartoons. Photographs, now an integral part of visual communication, were notably absent during this period.

Photography the process of capturing permanent images through the action of light on chemically treated materials transformed print media in the 19th century. This groundbreaking advancement was the result of the creative efforts of two French innovators: Nicéphore Niépce and Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. In the late 1820s, Niépce managed to create the first known photograph using a bitumen-coated plate, exposed over several hours. Working alongside Daguerre, he laid the groundwork for what would become a revolutionary art form.

Following Niépce’s passing in 1833, Daguerre persevered in enhancing the photographic process, which culminated in the creation of the daguerreotype in 1839. This method involved creating images on copper plates coated with silver, then developed using mercury fumes. The arrival of photography was a pivotal moment, finally enabling the capture of real-life moments in striking detail forever changing how stories were told in print.

By this time, television had evolved to include color broadcasting in many countries, but Pakistan Television (PTV) was still using black-and-white technology. Despite this, the excitement to launch a television station was high, and the entire team both technical and creative was driven to make it work. Back then, nobody could have predicted that this small box would soon become a revolutionary tool for mass communication, especially in a region where other means of sharing information were often too expensive.

Evening Broadcast Only

Initially, PTV broadcasted for just five hours a day, from 6 pm to 11 pm, and remained off-air on Mondays. People would eagerly wait for the day’s broadcast to begin, often wrapping up household chores or finishing their homework early just to be ready. The evening always started with a recitation from the Holy Quran, and once the national anthem played at the end of the night, people finally turned off their sets. Because of this fascination with the new technology, many people began adjusting their routines to fit around the TV schedule.

National Microwave Network

In 1973, PTV achieved a major milestone by linking all its stations using a countrywide microwave network. This new system allowed for live broadcasts of programs across the country, saving both time and resources. A play performed at Lahore could now be watched simultaneously in Karachi and Islamabad, and vice versa. The real value of this network was demonstrated during the Lahore Islamic Summit of February 1974.

Changing Daily Routines

Television quickly became part of daily life, and people began to shape their routines around their favorite shows. Students would rush to finish homework before their favorite drama started. Housewives adjusted cooking times so they wouldn’t miss their evening serial. Fathers looked forward to unwinding in front of the TV after work. Bedtimes also shifted dramatically, with late-night viewing becoming common. Children often fought off sleep to catch the last scenes of a show and then chat about it with friends at school the next day.

Conclusion

From the Renaissance’s bustling city-states to the structured media enterprises of the 19th century, the journey of print media has been marked by constant evolution. The birth of photography only expanded the horizons of storytelling, weaving visuals seamlessly with words. Today’s print media owes its richness and vibrancy to centuries of transformation a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless drive to communicate.

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