Year 10 - Citizenship
Why is media freedom necessary in a democracy?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the UK democratic system?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils develop their knowledge of democracy and the different types of democracy considering the strengths and weaknesses of the UK system.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain what free press is and the role it plays in democracy.
Key Notes
- The media plays a key role in any democracy.
- The media can be controlled to protect others, allow integrity and fairness.
- The media can be controlled through censorship, regulation and laws.
- Media freedom allows scrutiny of government and holds them to account.
Vocabulary To Learn
- democracy: a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf
- press freedom: the ability of the press to give information and express opinions
- censorship: the control of information or ideas within a society
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The media should always be neutral.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The media plays a key role in any democracy. The media can be controlled to protect others, allow integrity and fairness.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'democracy'
a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The media should always be neutral. Correction: Media freedom does not require journalists to be entirely neutral. It allows for a range of perspectives, such as investigative journalism and opinion pieces, as long as they are reported accurately.
More Lessons In This Unit
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