What responsibilities does the media have?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the different responsibilities the media has and what happens if the media breaks the rules.
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.
Teacher tip
To bring the lesson to life, show the students a range of examples of the media breaking the law or not fulfilling their responsibilities.
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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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.There are three main types of media: print, broadcast and ...
Q2.What does the 'A' in the acronym 'VIA' model stand for?
Q3.Match the news value with its definition.
Q4.What are examples of information neighbourhoods?
Q5.What does understanding different sources, various types and information neighbourhoods help you know the purpose of?
Q6.Match up the information neighbourhood with its purpose.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How do we expect the media to act?
Q2.Journalists are , which means they have to put their name to their work and they are responsible for what it says.
Q3.Where are the two main places that you can find the rules that the media have to follow?
Q4.Treating someone unfairly based on characteristics such as race, gender or religion is known as ; the media have a responsibility to stop this.
Q5.Order the name of the group which regulates newspapers and magazines in the UK.
Q6.Match the word with its definition.
To help you plan your 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 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.