What responsibilities does the media have?
I can explain the different responsibilities the media has and what happens if the media breaks the rules.
What responsibilities does the media have?
I can explain the different responsibilities the media has and what happens if the media breaks the rules.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- We expect the media to be accurate, verify facts and act independently without personal benefit, in the public interest.
- Journalists take responsibility for their work, put their name to it, and aim to inform and explain important issues.
- The media must follow the law and the rules in the NUJ Code of Conduct and Editors' Code of Practice.
- The media are responsible for respecting privacy, providing truthful, accurate information and avoiding discrimination.
- If the media break these rules, IPSO or OFCOM can investigate, leading to legal action, mistrust or other consequences.
Keywords
Media - forms of communication like radio, television, newspapers, magazines and the internet, that reach or influence people
Responsibilities - duties that we are expected to do as a citizen of a country, as part of a job role or as a member of a community
Common misconception
The media can report whatever they like, there are no consequences.
There are consequences for the media breaking the rules and not fulfilling their responsibilities. They have to abide by a strict code of conduct and ethics.
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: What responsibilities does the media have?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 citizenship lesson on: What responsibilities does the media have?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 citizenship lessons from the How does the media affect us? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
local information from your area
information about celebrities
information involving arguing
information with emotional stories
to persuade
to promote
to sell
to educate
Exit quiz
6 Questions
any communication or information that influences or educates people
unfair preference or judgement based on incorrect beliefs
to be accurate and check the facts to make sure they are reliable
to report without opinion and make sure that it is equal