How does media limit the power of government?
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how the media can limit the power of governments.
Key learning points
- The media provides information and holds those in power to account.
- Governments in a democracy make laws and manage national policies.
- A free media challenges government actions through investigations and public reporting.
- Media scrutiny helps prevent misuse of power and keeps citizens informed.
Keywords
Media - the different ways we share and receive information on a large scale; this includes things like television, radio, newspapers and the internet
Government - the group of people with the authority to govern a country; in the UK, the Government is chosen and led by the Prime Minister (PM)
Press freedom - the ability of the press to give information and express opinions
Common misconception
The media can always hold the Government to account, no matter the country.
The media can only effectively challenge the Government in countries where press freedom exists. In these countries, journalists are free to investigate, report and criticise those in power without fear of government control or censorship.
Teacher tip
When teaching synoptic links, encourage pupils to think in both directions such as how the media influences or challenges the Government and how the Government influence or limit the media.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who leads the UK Government?
Q2.Match the type of media to its example.
a live news report on TV
a front page article in a newspaper
a political video shared on Instagram
Q3.The is responsible for making decisions and running the country in the UK.
Q4.What best describes press freedom?
Q5.Where is press freedom most likely to exist?
Q6.Which of these best describes key roles of the media in a democracy?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to the correct meaning.
ways of sharing and receiving information
people with authority to run a country
allows the media to report without government control
Q2.Which of the following is a power the UK Government has in a democracy?
Q3.What is one way the media can hold the Government to account?
Q4.In which type of country can the media effectively challenge the Government?
Q5.In a democracy, the media can limit government power by keeping citizens informed and by the Government to account.
Q6.Which of the following are examples of the media challenging the Government?
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: How does media limit the power of government?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 citizenship lesson on: How does media limit the power of government?, 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 4 citizenship lessons from the Synopticity: How do different ideas and concepts in Citizenship interconnect? unit, dive into the full secondary citizenship curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.