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New
New
Year 10

What is the role of the media in our democracy?

I can explain the role that media has within a democracy.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10

What is the role of the media in our democracy?

I can explain the role that media has within a democracy.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Media includes mediums of getting information out to the masses on a large scale.
  2. There are different types of media: broadcast (TV, radio) print (newspapers, magazines) and new media (socials, blogs).
  3. The UK has a free press which means it is not subject to interference from the Government, this is vital in a democracy.
  4. Media supports democracy by providing us with information, checking the work of the Government and allowing for debate.

Keywords

  • Media - mediums of information which can reach a large number of people, such as television, newspapers and social media

  • Democracy - a system of government where citizens are able to have their say

  • Representative demoracy - a system of government in which citizens vote in regular, fair elections for representatives who then make laws and decisions on their behalf

  • Free press - the right of media to report news and express opinions without government censorship or interference

Common misconception

The Government are able to control the media.

The media is separate from the Government and this is an important feature of a democracy.

Focus on how the media provides free press and information so that we can digest this and form our own opinions about things, which is vital in a democracy.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which is an example of social media?
newspaper
magazine
Correct answer: online messaging app
radio
Q2.
In the UK, who is allowed to buy newspapers?
Correct answer: everyone
adults only
teenagers and above
men only
Q3.
Match the media type to its description.
Correct Answer:newspaper,you read it

you read it

Correct Answer:radio ,you listen to it

you listen to it

Correct Answer:televised news,you watch it

you watch it

Q4.
Who makes law and policy in the UK?
Correct Answer: Parliament, the Government
Q5.
What are human rights?
Correct answer: things that all humans should legally or morally have
rules that are set within schools
things that adults in the UK should have
things that all humans should not have
Q6.
Are newspapers able to print negative things about the Prime Minister?
Correct answer: yes, they can
no, they cannot
yes, with permission
only during an election

6 Questions

Q1.
Which is a type of new media?
Correct Answer: social media, blogs, apps, websites, podcasts
Q2.
Which of the following best describes the key characteristics of the media in a democracy?
censored by government
controlled by government
does not take responsibility for their actions
Correct answer: free, transparent and accountable
Q3.
Which of the following is not a key role of the media in a democracy?
exchanging ideas and opinions
Correct answer: telling the public how they should think
holding those in power to account
informing and influencing the public
Q4.
Why is there a limit on how many news sources one media corporation can own?
because the media becomes boring
so media owners don't become too rich
Correct answer: there must be a balance of information for the public
Q5.
What type of democracy is it when we vote for people to make decisions about law and policy on our behalf?
Correct Answer: Representative democracy, Representative
Q6.
Which of these describes free press?
Correct answer: media not controlled by the government
media that does not cost any money
media that is controlled by government
media that is free for people on welfare