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Year 10 - Citizenship

How does the media support democracy?

How does the media hold those in power to account?

Unit Summary

Pupils consider what role the media plays in democracy and how the media is used to hold those in power to account. They consider what responsible journalism is and the impact of misinformation.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain a variety of ways in which the media can support democracy.

Key Notes

  • Democratic values include transparency, participation, effectively functioning government, trust and liberties.
  • The media supports democratic values by providing a free press so we can be kept up to date and make informed decisions.
  • Media holds politicians to account via interviews, debates, viewer engagement, investigative journalism and reporting.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • values: core beliefs or principles that guide how individuals or societies think and act
  • democratic: describing a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
  • liberties: fundamental rights and freedoms that protect individuals from excessive government control
  • scandal: a situation or event that is seen as shocking or disgraceful because of wrongdoing or improper behaviour

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • There are limits to what the media can print about the Government.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Democratic values include transparency, participation, effectively functioning government, trust and liberties. The media supports democratic values by providing a free press so we can be kept up to date and make informed decisions.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'values'

core beliefs or principles that guide how individuals or societies think and act.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: There are limits to what the media can print about the Government. Correction: As long as the media is following regulations, they have the freedom to print what they like, even if this is negative towards the Government.

More Lessons In This Unit

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