Media Reporting Reflecting Democracy

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

GRADE 12

LESSON FOUR

DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

a society that upholds people’s human rights
and the values that underpin our constitution.

MEDIA

is a term that refers to the mass means of
communication, and it can be in print or

electronic form, among others.

Poll

The media in South Africa is reflective of a democratic society.

• Agree

• Disagree

There are FOUR factors that we will look at to
determine whether media reflects democracy:

1. The topics covered in a newspaper / news website

2. The position taken by the editor

3. The space allocated to a certain topic

4. The geographical distribution of the news

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a topic that we will be looking at?

• Topics covered

• Editors position

• Space allocation

• Financial gain

Topics Covered

Editors, managers and bosses
choose the topics to cover in

their social media; these

topics don’t necessarily have

neutral opinions. Many of

them are guided by
commercial interests.

The topics covered are

determined by how

newsworthy they are and their

entertainment value.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following people don't get to choose what topics get published?

• Journalist

• Editor

• Manager

• Owner

Multiple Choice

The decision on which topics to publish are are guided by commercial interests.

• False

• True

Multiple Choice

The topics that are covered all have neutral opinions.

• False

• True

Multiple Select

Which of the following factors contribute to whether a topic is covered?

• Newsworthiness

• Reader engagement

• Entertainment value

• Trustworthiness

Poll

Editors have a lot of power because of their ability to express their opinions in editorials.

• Agree

• Disagree

Positions taken by editors

Editors have a lot of power

because of their ability to express

their opinions in editorials.

The editor’s position can also be
seen from the type of content

allowed, space allocated and slant or

focus of the news reports.

Multiple Choice

An editorial is usually a short opinion piece that summarises the main news item and gives an opinion about it.

• True

• False

Poll

Can one determine the position of the editor and how the editor feels about an issue or event from an editorial?

• Yes

• No

Space Allocated

Space allocation refers to what page an article appears on in a

newspaper or magazine, how much time is given to it in a TV or radio
broadcast, whether it appears at the beginning or end of a news report

etc.

Space allocation is not always fair. Analysts spend a lot of time looking

at which stories on the Internet get the most hits or visits, what is

tweeted about most etc. – this information is used to inform editors of
future space allocation, as they try to compete to make their products

what readers, viewers and advertisers want.

Geographical location

The accessibility of

information for different
groups in SA is not equal

– especially in rural

areas.

Social media is not

accessible in some rural
areas as people do not
have effective signal for

cell phones or WiFi.

Infographics

COVID-19

Multiple Choice

Wich media type had the highest coverage of Covid-19

• Radio

• Print

• Television

• Online

Multiple Choice

What percentage of coverage did online media have of Covid-19?

• 22%

• 12%

• 59%

• 6%

Multiple Choice

What percentage of coverage did newspaper media have of Covid-19?

• 22%

• 12%

• 59%

• 6%

Multiple Select

Choose TWO factors that one should consider when evaluating the extent to which the media reflects a democratic society.

• Position of editor

• Power of editor

• Geographical distribution

• Distribution network

Open Ended

What should the media do in a democratic society? Name TWO things.