International Exam Practice_Speaking practice_Technology and Media
International Exam Practice
Technology and Media
Listening -> Reading -> Speaking
Items in this lesson
International Exam Practice
Technology and Media
Listening -> Reading -> Speaking
Listen and type your answers
Listen and type your answers
Which information does this paragraph contain?
It used to be easy to define what a journalist was. They had a degree in English or Journalism, usually owned a camera and were employed full time by a news outlet, TV or radio station or newspaper. Their days were spent conducting interviews, researching the next big story and writing articles. However, in recent years the line between these 'professional' journalists and the public has become blurred. There is a growing trend for amateur journalism that often bypasses the established media sources. The upshot is that virtually anyone can be a journalist. After all, if you are present when a story breaks, or you yourself are part of the news story, why wait for a 'real' journalist to interview you as an eyewitness? You can use the camera on your phone and tell the story yourself and post it on your own blog or on social media.
Why some journalists fear the new trends
Details of civil unrest in a major city
Why education is needed in the context of this change in the media
Subjects journalists traditionally study at university
Which information does this paragraph contain?
Why some journalists fear the new trends
Details of civil unrest in a major city
How the story of a spaceship disaster broke
Why participatory journalism is good for disadvantaged groups
Which information does this paragraph contain?
So, how have the media establishment reacted to this change? Initially, it was seen as a challenge to their hegemony. They had always been the gatekeepers: those who decided what was news and how that news should be presented. Participatory journalism represents the democratisation of the media: and therefore a threat to this. Media futurists predict that by 2021, 50% of news will be produced by citizen Journalists, so traditional media have had little choice but to embrace the trend or be left behind. Many already have, by adding features that invite participation, such as comments sections and links to social media.
Why some journalists fear the new trends
Details of civil unrest in a major city
Why education is needed in the context of this change in the media
Why participatory journalism is good for disadvantaged groups
Which information does this paragraph contain?
There are many potential benefits to 'We media', as participatory journalism is sometimes called. It can help forge stronger relationships between the media and local communities, since people feel their views are represented, creating a sense of trust and shared responsibility. Members of the public who participate in creating the news gain memorable experiences and build their reputation in a given community. "We media" can also give a voice to those who haven't had one due to educational, economic, social or cultural barriers. It is a liberating phenomenon with the potential to reduce inequality in society.
Why some journalists fear the new trends
Why education is needed in the context of this change in the media
Details of civil unrest in a major city
Why participatory journalism is good for disadvantaged groups
Which information does this paragraph contain?
The evidence so far is that participatory journalism is here to stay and set to develop in ways as yet unimagined. The implication for every user of media is that we need to be ever more open to the possibility of false information. The 'publish then filter' model necessitates all readers and viewers honing their critical faculties and verifying reports by independent means before accepting and sharing them. This will be a positive trend if it develops the thinking skills of the population as a whole. An educated citizenry who do not believe what they read without question is surely an asset to any society.
Why some journalists fear the new trends
Why education is needed in the context of this change in the media
Details of civil unrest in a major city
Why participatory journalism is good for disadvantaged groups
Team reading practice
First, read the text silently. Your team then complete the worksheet, making up two questions in the same true/false/not given format.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1386TI_ekK2_ZNhajSLCpe7B8UofqS1-NPS8JL_y45y0/edit?usp=sharing
Speaking (finally!)
What specific exam tasks you would like to practice next time?
Writing / reading / listening / speaking
