Media
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Vocabulary for IELTS: Media.
"Media" is a frequent topic in IELTS Speaking and Writing tasks, particularly when discussing communication, information, and societal influence. A strong grasp of vocabulary related to media will help you express your ideas more fluently and precisely. The following list includes essential terms with examples to elevate your performance in the exam.
1. Mass media: [Meaning: Channels of communication reaching a wide audience]
Example 1: Mass media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
Example 2: Governments often use mass media to disseminate important public health messages.
2. News outlet: [Meaning: An organisation that produces news content]
Example 1: Reliable news outlets are essential for an informed society.
Example 2: The public increasingly questions the objectivity of certain news outlets.
3. Fake news: [Meaning: False or misleading information presented as news]
Example 1: Social media platforms struggle to control the spread of fake news.
Example 2: The rise of fake news has eroded trust in journalism.
4. Broadcast: [Meaning: To transmit a programme or message via television or radio]
Example 1: The live broadcast of the World Cup reached millions of viewers.
Example 2: News channels broadcast critical updates during emergencies.
5. Censorship: [Meaning: The suppression or restriction of content]
Example 1: Censorship in authoritarian regimes often targets political dissent.
Example 2: While censorship can prevent harmful content, it may also limit freedom of expression.
6. Press freedom: [Meaning: The right of journalists to publish news without government control]
Example 1: Press freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies.
Example 2: In some countries, press freedom is severely curtailed by law.
7. Sensationalism: [Meaning: The use of shocking or exaggerated news to attract attention]
Example 1: Some tabloids rely heavily on sensationalism to boost sales.
Example 2: Sensationalism often distorts facts and undermines journalistic integrity.
8. Media literacy: [Meaning: The ability to critically understand and evaluate media content]
Example 1: Schools should promote media literacy to help students discern credible sources.
Example 2: Media literacy empowers citizens to resist propaganda.
9. Echo chamber: [Meaning: An environment where people only encounter information that reflects their beliefs]
Example 1: Social media algorithms often reinforce echo chambers among users.
Example 2: Echo chambers limit exposure to diverse perspectives.
10. Public broadcasting: [Meaning: Media services funded by the state to serve public interest]
Example 1: The BBC is one of the most respected public broadcasting institutions in the world.
Example 2: Public broadcasting aims to inform, educate, and entertain without commercial pressure.
11. Media conglomerate: [Meaning: A large company that owns multiple media outlets]
Example 1: A handful of media conglomerates control the majority of global news and entertainment.
Example 2: Critics argue that media conglomerates reduce journalistic independence.
12. Agenda-setting: [Meaning: The media’s influence in determining what issues are considered important]
Example 1: Through agenda-setting, the media shapes what the public discusses and prioritises.
Example 2: Politicians often try to influence agenda-setting through press releases and media appearances.
13. Information overload: [Meaning: The difficulty of understanding an issue due to too much information]
Example 1: In the digital era, people face information overload on a daily basis.
Example 2: Effective media filters can help reduce information overload.
14. Media bias: [Meaning: A partial or slanted presentation of news by the media]
Example 1: Media bias can lead to public misperception of important issues.
Example 2: Identifying media bias requires critical thinking and exposure to multiple viewpoints.
15. Editorial independence: [Meaning: The freedom of editors and journalists to report without interference]
Example 1: Editorial independence is vital for objective reporting.
Example 2: Corporate ownership may compromise editorial independence.
16. Citizen journalism: [Meaning: The collection and reporting of news by the general public]
Example 1: Citizen journalism has gained prominence with the rise of smartphones and social media.
Example 2: While citizen journalism increases participation, it may lack professional standards.
17. Fourth Estate: [Meaning: A term referring to the media’s role as a check on power]
Example 1: The media is often referred to as the fourth estate for its watchdog function in democracy.
Example 2: Undermining the fourth estate threatens democratic accountability.
18. Narrative framing: [Meaning: How media shapes the interpretation of events through specific language and context]
Example 1: The way media uses narrative framing can influence public attitudes toward immigration.
Example 2: Careful narrative framing can either highlight or downplay controversial issues.
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