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
- 14 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 14
Watch first
The media and holding power to account
An English teaching video on this topic from Speaking Globally. Watch it, then scroll down for the lesson.
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 14
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 14
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.
Explore the idea
Part 4 of 14
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 5 of 14
Quick check
What is one key role of a free press?
Reset break
Part 6 of 14
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 2 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.
Quick check
Part 7 of 14
Quick check
What has investigative journalism achieved in the past?
Learning cycle
Part 8 of 14
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 9 of 14
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 10 of 14
Quick check
Why do citizens need media literacy skills today?
Challenge round
Part 11 of 14
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 12 of 14
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.
Mastery quiz
Part 13 of 14
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 14 of 14
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaDo the work
Your written work for this lesson
This is the part you'd do in your book at school. Pick the pieces below, write here or on paper, and photograph anything you draw or work out.
Should the town centre have a curfew for under-16s?
After a rise in reported vandalism, Harbrook council proposed that under-16s should not be in the town centre after 9 pm without an adult. Police recorded 62 incidents last year, most between 9 pm and midnight. Shopkeepers signed a petition supporting the plan.
A youth council objected. They pointed out that most young people in town at night were going home from sports clubs or work, that the plan punishes a whole group for the acts of a few, and that the library and the bus interchange are in the town centre. They asked instead for a late bus and a youth space.
The council voted to trial the curfew for six months and to publish the crime figures at the end.
Written for Good Learning Co.
Reading questions
- Give the strongest point on each side of the argument, using a fact from the case.
- Whose rights and whose responsibilities are involved here? Explain both.
- Write your own view on the curfew with reasons and one example.
Reading and response
ReadingRead the case in the lesson again and write what you think should happen, and why it is fair. Use one fact from the case as evidence.
2 paragraphs (PEE)
Extended writing
WritingWrite your answer to the lesson's big question in full: the strongest point on each side, then your own view with reasons and an example.
250–350 words
Reading log
ReadingFind one news story this week that links to this lesson. Note the headline, where you read it, and how it connects.
1 story, 4–5 sentences
Two sides of the argument
WritingWrite the strongest point for, the strongest point against, and then your own view with a reason.
3 paragraphs
Poster or leaflet plan
DiagramPlan a leaflet that explains this right or responsibility to someone your age, then photograph it.
1 planned page
Saved as you type.
Part 1 of 14 · Watch & discover
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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