The Media Flashcards
What types of media are there
Newspapers, television, radio, Internet, adverts and magazines
How has the media changed
It has become big business. Hundred years ago people only had newspapers to tell them what was going on and many people couldn’t read.
What media is the most popular
The newer changes. When radio was introduced whole families gathered around it to get information. When televisions were invented fewer people listened to the radio. Now the Internet is more common in homes television is declining
What is censorship
Limiting the information given to the general public
What is the press
Newspapers
Is the press always fair
No. Sometimes the press pester people to get a story e.g. The royal family and celebrities
Who can people complain to about the press
The Press Complaints Commission
What is a journalist
A person who gathers news and produces reports for the media
What is the press code
Newspapers…
Must respect peoples private and family life
Mustn’t published inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or pictures
Must avoid prejudice
Must not identify victims of sexual assault
Must not intrude on grief and shock
What happens if the media tells incorrect stories or breaks rules
The newspaper/TV station can find itself in court charged with libel or slander. Sometimes the newspaper/TV station has got to pay compensation and/or apologise
What is libel
Writing incorrect things about people
What is slander
Saying incorrect things about people
What types of newspaper are there
Broadsheets and tabloids
What’s the difference between broadsheets and tabloids
Tabloids:
Have a lot of pictures
Use sensational language
Focus on gossip about famous people’s lives
Have a big headlines
Don’t always report news regarding world events e.g. The sun
Broadsheets: Focus on more serious stories and world events Don't use big headlines Use more facts in stories Are large in size e.g. The Guardian
What are the best selling newspapers
People buy four times as many tabloid papers as broadsheets
What is media
Ways of communicating with a large group of people
Where does power lie in the media
Newspapers and television channels are owned by companies. These companies want to make a profit
Are newspapers and TV companies neutral
No, they are biased
What does bias mean
It means to favour one point of view over another unfairly
How do newspapers and television programmes show bias
They choose which stories they want to report on
They appoint editors who agree with their views
They put their own point of view across when describing the story
They tried to make the readers/listeners hear and see what they want them to
They criticise their opponents
Are newspapers political
Yes. Newspapers are linked to the views of a political party and often presents stories to make the party they support look good
Which newspapers support which party
The Guardian and the Mirror support labour
The Daily Mail and the daily Telegraph supports Conservative
What can the media do
Influence opinions Get peoples voices heard Entertain people Teach people Spread news Help raise money for charity Persuade people Give people information about who to vote for Lets people have their say
Can the Internet be controlled
It’s very hard to prevent people from putting things up in the web, as it’s hard to track down where the information comes from
Can people download anything they like
No. You will be in trouble if you download any information that breaks the law of the country where you live. All laws about what can and can’t be published in other media apply to the Internet
How can the Internet help citizens
Citizens need to be informed in order for them to participate.
The Internet allows a wide range of information that’s easily and quickly accessible
Political parties have websites
Newspapers have websites
Information can be found from a wide range of sources
The Internet is updated all the time
There are lots of opportunities to discuss issues
In countries where information isn’t free, the Internet can help people to know what is going on in the rest of the world
What’s the Internet like in countries with information isn’t free
In China the government works hard to control access to the Internet to stop all the websites must register with the government, and are issued with a license if the material is acceptable. The government controls access to the Internet and they are strict rules about religious and political information. There are harsh rules for anyone who break the rules
Are websites bias
Yes, some are. Websites are like any other form of media. The person giving the information wants you to agree with their views
How does the media influence people
Through persuasion.
What would happen if local newspapers did anything the council wanted them to
This would be unfair and democratic. As citizens we have got a right to complain to the council, as they are representing us. If the media only printed one side people would make decisions without knowing the full facts. People should have the right to use the media as a way of challenging the local councils decisions. The media has got a duty to publish accurate stories
What are opinion polls
They are when a sample of the population is asked a question to build a picture of the views of the public on an issue.
What are the problems with opinion polls
They might be biased. You have to be aware of who has been asked the question, it’s important that a wide range of the public is asked
