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Year 10

Is the free press free everywhere?

I can explain what press freedom is and how it varies across the world.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 10

Is the free press free everywhere?

I can explain what press freedom is and how it varies across the world.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In some countries, censorship restricts press freedom by controlling what can be reported.
  2. Journalists may face punishment or imprisonment for reporting on certain topics.
  3. A free press is essential for democracy but is limited by government control in some countries.

Keywords

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

  • Censorship - the control of information or ideas within a society

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

Common misconception

All democracies have a free press.

Democracies generally support press freedom; some still have restrictions and controls.


To help you plan your year 10 citizenship lesson on: Is the free press free everywhere?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The levels of press freedom across the world can change and evolve over time. When using case studies always check that information is up-to-date and include any changes that have occurred.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are citizens in non-democratic governments more likely to experience?
Correct answer: censorship
Correct answer: propaganda
active citizenship
Q2.
Which of the following is a key feature of a democratic system?
one party rule
Correct answer: free and fair elections
no opposition allowed
Correct answer: active citizenship
Q3.
To be considered democratic, a country must have key features such as free and fair elections, a multi-party system and protection of rights.
Correct Answer: human
Q4.
Match each key feature of a democracy to its correct description.
Correct Answer:free and fair elections,elections are unbiased and everyone has the right to vote

elections are unbiased and everyone has the right to vote

Correct Answer:multi-party system,no single political party dominates and others can compete

no single political party dominates and others can compete

Correct Answer:protection of human rights,examples include protecting free speech and allowing people to protest

examples include protecting free speech and allowing people to protest

Correct Answer:active citizenship,people actively participate in politics, expressing opinions

people actively participate in politics, expressing opinions

Correct Answer:rule of law,laws apply equally to all, ensuring fairness in society

laws apply equally to all, ensuring fairness in society

Correct Answer:separation of powers,different branches of power have distinct roles

different branches of power have distinct roles

Q5.
A government is one where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or small group, and citizens have limited influence in decision-making.
Correct Answer: non-democratic, non democratic
Q6.
How does the use of censorship benefit non-democratic governments?
Correct answer: It helps the ruling government to stay in control.
It encourages freedom of speech and open debate.
It promotes the spread of opposing ideas.
It allows citizens to share information freely.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each term to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:free press,the right of media to report news without government interference

the right of media to report news without government interference

Correct Answer:censorship,the control of information or ideas within a society

the control of information or ideas within a society

Correct Answer:democracy,a system of government where citizens vote in regular, fair elections

a system of government where citizens vote in regular, fair elections

Q2.
Which statement is true?
All countries have the same level of press freedom.
Correct answer: Some countries restrict press freedom through censorship.
Press freedom is not important in a democracy.
Journalists are always safe to report freely.
Q3.
Can censorship occur in democratic countries?
Yes, but only in emergency situations.
No, democracies always guarantee complete freedom of expression.
Correct answer: Yes, but with reasons such as to protect or ensure fairness.
No, censorship is strictly prohibited in all democratic nations.
Q4.
Order the countries from highest to lowest, based on their press freedom ranking in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index.
1 - Sweden
2 - United States
3 - India
4 - Russia
5 - North Korea
Q5.
A press ensures transparency, informs the public and holds leaders accountable, which are fundamental in a democracy.
Correct Answer: free
Q6.
Reporters without Borders believe that is crucial for raising awareness about the risk journalists face and call for global protection of their rights.
Correct Answer: advocacy