The changing landscape of the media
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how traditional and non-traditional media hold society to account and how this affects the role of journalists.
Key learning points
- Historically the media was seen as the fourth estate with a role to hold Parliament the Church and the people to account
- The rise of non-mainstream media such as blogs, new channels and online news has been termed the fifth estate
- Young people are now more likely to get information on current affairs from the fifth estate
- The role of the journalist as a seeker of truth is increasingly under threat’
Keywords
Media - channels of communication, like newspapers, TV, radio and online platforms, that deliver information to the public
Fifth estate - independent individuals who use the internet to share information, influence society and hold governments, businesses and the media to account
Journalist - a person who investigates, writes, or reports news for the public
Common misconception
The fifth estate replaces traditional media entirely.
The fifth estate doesn’t replace traditional media; it works alongside it, giving more people a voice online.
Teacher tip
Use current examples from blogs, social media, or independent news outlets to show the fifth estate in action.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Which is an example of printed media?
Q2.Many people now use media.
Q3.What creates a digital footprint?
Q4.How would you describe access to information today compared to the past?
Q5.Algorithms prioritise content that is:
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match each keyword to its meaning:
communication like newspapers, TV, radio and online platforms
independent individuals who use the internet to share information
a person who investigates, writes, or reports news for the public
Q2.Journalists are described as the fourth ...
Q3.Which is a core value of professional journalism?
Q4.One risk of getting news from social media is:
Q5.One advantage of the fifth estate is:
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The changing landscape of the media, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: The changing landscape of the media, 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 religious education lessons from the Religion and the Media: how can we live online together? unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.