Vocabulary - Press Freedom

Study the vocabulary list and complete the activities below.

• Sensationalism: The use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy, in order to provoke public interest or excitement.
  • The newspaper was criticized for its heavy use of sensationalism just to increase its digital subscriptions.
• Libel: A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.
  • The politician sued the magazine for libel after they published unverified claims about his private life.
• Echo Chamber: An environment in which a person encounters only beliefs or opinions that coincide with their own, so that their existing views are reinforced.
  • Social media algorithms often create an echo chamber, making it difficult for users to see opposing viewpoints.
• Accountability: The fact or condition of being required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsibility.
  • Independent journalism is crucial for holding the government to a high level of accountability.
• Impartiality: The quality of being neutral and not supporting one person or group more than another; fairness.
  • The national broadcaster is legally required to maintain strict impartiality during election cycles.
• Muckraking: The action of searching out and publicizing scandalous information about famous people or organizations in an underhanded way (often used for investigative journalism that exposes corruption). Note: While sometimes negative, it's often used to describe the "watchdog" role of the press.
  • The early 20th century was famous for muckraking journalists who exposed the terrible conditions in factories.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Unscramble the Words

Look at the scrambled letters and type the correct vocabulary word.

1. The quality of being neutral

M I T I A L P A R T Y I

2. Written defamation

B E L I L

3. Shocking stories over accuracy

S E N I O N A L S A T I S M

4. Being responsible for actions

C O U N T A B I L I T Y A

5. Reinforcing existing views

C H O E   R E B M A H

Activity 2: Odd One Out

Choose the word in each group that does NOT fit logically with the others.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Activity 3: Gap Fill

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1. The journalist was accused of Select... impartiality sensationalism accountability because the headline had nothing to do with the actual facts of the story.

2. If you only follow people who agree with you, you are living in an Select... echo chamber ethical standard investigative report .

3. The court ruled that the article was not Select... muckraking accountability libel because the journalist had evidence the claims were true.

4. Freedom of the press ensures that those in power face public Select... sensationalism accountability libel .

5. Reporters must strive for Select... sensationalism impartiality echo chambers even when they are covering stories they feel passionate about.