Read the following passage and answer the question.

'No institution in a democracy is more vital, yet more embattled, than the free press. Journalists who expose corruption risk not only their careers but sometimes their very lives. In many parts of the world, governments that fear scrutiny have resorted to legislative manoeuvres — enacting laws that criminalise investigative reporting under the guise of protecting national security. The result is a chilling effect: journalists self-censor, editors become timid, and the public is left with a diet of sanitised, government-approved narratives.'

The expression 'a chilling effect' as used in the passage means

Question

Read the following passage and answer the question.

'No institution in a democracy is more vital, yet more embattled, than the free press. Journalists who expose corruption risk not only their careers but sometimes their very lives. In many parts of the world, governments that fear scrutiny have resorted to legislative manoeuvres — enacting laws that criminalise investigative reporting under the guise of protecting national security. The result is a chilling effect: journalists self-censor, editors become timid, and the public is left with a diet of sanitised, government-approved narratives.'

The expression 'a chilling effect' as used in the passage means

Accepted Answer

a situation where fear causes people to restrain their actions or speech. 'A chilling effect' is an idiomatic expression referring to the discouraging of legitimate activity through fear of legal or other consequences. The passage illustrates this with journalists self-censoring and editors becoming timid. Option B correctly captures this meaning. Options A, C, and D eith

Answer

A) the cold weather conditions experienced by journalists working outdoors

Answer

B) a situation where fear causes people to restrain their actions or speech

Answer

C) the government's deliberate attempt to cool tensions in the media

Answer

D) the calming influence that legislation has on sensational journalism

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