The Media and Public Opinion
Answer aloud before reading the samples — fluency over perfection.
How do you usually keep up with the news?
Aim for 20–30 seconds. Maximum 1:00.
Do you think people trust the media as much as they used to?
Aim for 20–30 seconds. Maximum 1:00.
Is social media a good way to get news?
Aim for 20–30 seconds. Maximum 1:00.
Describe a time when a news story or media report changed how you thought about something.
You should say
- what the story was about
- where you encountered it
- how it changed your view
- and explain whether the change has lasted
Aim for 1–2 minutes. Maximum 2:00.
To what extent should the media be regulated?
Aim for 45–60 seconds. Maximum 1:30.
Does the media shape public opinion, or merely reflect it?
Aim for 45–60 seconds. Maximum 1:30.
How might the way we consume news change in the future?
Aim for 45–60 seconds. Maximum 1:30.
agenda-setting
the power of the media to influence which issues the public sees as important
"Through relentless coverage, the press performed a classic agenda-setting role in the election."
echo chamber
an environment where you only encounter opinions that match your own
"Personalised feeds can trap users in an echo chamber that hardens their views."
slanted
presented in a biased way that favours one side
"The report was so slanted that it read more like advocacy than journalism."
gatekeeper
a person or organisation that controls what information reaches the public
"Editors once acted as gatekeepers, deciding which stories were worth printing."
misinformation
false information that spreads, regardless of intent to deceive
"During the crisis, misinformation travelled faster than the official advice."
a double-edged sword
something that has both significant advantages and disadvantages
"For democracy, social media has proved a double-edged sword."