The media and holding power to account
A free press can ask the awkward questions politicians would rather avoid — that is exactly why democracies protect it.
Part of your national curriculum
- Democracy and government: Understand the roles played by the media and a free press in providing information and holding those in power to account
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the roles played by the media and a free press in providing information and holding those in power to account
Key learning points
- • Informing the public
- • Holding power to account
- • Challenges facing the media
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
The media and holding power to account
A free press can ask the awkward questions politicians would rather avoid — that is exactly why democracies protect it.
In a nutshell
Understand the roles played by the media and a free press in providing information and holding those in power to account
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Informing the public
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Informing the public
Newspapers, television, radio and online news outlets inform citizens about events, policies and decisions that affect their lives, helping people make informed choices, including how to vote.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Holding power to account
Investigative journalism has exposed scandals and wrongdoing that governments or companies would rather hide. A free press can question ministers, publish leaked documents and challenge official statements without state censorship.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Challenges facing the media
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Challenges facing the media
Social media has widened access to information but also spread misinformation quickly. Citizens need media literacy skills to check sources, spot bias and distinguish reliable journalism from unverified claims.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Social media has widened access to ____ but also spread misinformation quickly.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
What is one key role of a free press?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: The media and holding power to account
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What is one key role of a free press?
2. What has investigative journalism achieved in the past?
3. Why do citizens need media literacy skills today?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Understand the roles played by the media and a free press in providing information and holding those in power to account