The Role of the Free Press

Newspapers and magazines play an important role in today’s society and they are capable of influencing people’s lives in many ways. However, does the free press offer a valuable service or is it a way to keep people under control?

As far as politics is concerned, the free press is important as it often reveals the truth behind politicians’ speeches and lies. Unfortunately, most newspapers tend to favor a particular political party and so, their articles are not always objective.

From an educational point of view, newspapers and magazines are an important source of up-to-date information and in-depth articles. They can be an invaluable part of people’s education. Opponents of this view argue that newspapers do not always give correct information and facts are often falsely reported. As a consequence, they are not always appropriate learning material and sometimes can be misleading.

On a personal level, the media can be very entertaining and rewarding. Reading about the lifestyles of the rich and famous is amusing and it can help us forget our problems. Nevertheless, journalists frequently intrude on the privacy of celebrities, following them and photographing them in their most intimate moments. This is surely an unacceptable interpretation of the word “free”.

On the whole, I believe that the existence of the free press is valuable to our society, as long as its power is used wisely and objectively in an effort to inform the public, rather than mislead it.

Useful sentences

As far as education is concerned, As far as politics is concerned,

As far as science is concerned, As far as ethics is concerned,

As far as religion is concerned,

From an educational point of view, From a political point of view,

From a scientific point of view, From an ethical point of view,

From a religious point of view,

On a political level, On a scientific level,

On an educational level, On an ethical level,

On a religious level,

To play an important role in society

To be able to do something: To be capable of doing something

To influence people’s lives

Opponents of this view argue Detractors of this view claim

Opponents of this idea maintain Detractors of this idea suggest

A source of information A source of up-to-date information

They are a part of people’s education They are an invaluable part of people’s education

As a consequence: As a result: Consequently: Therefore

Some useful vocabulary and Spanish translation

To be misleading: ser engañoso

The mass media: los medios de comunicación de masas (the media)

To intrude on someone’s life: entrometerse en la vida de alguien

I believe: it seems to me: In my opinion: I am of the opinion that

To be valuable to our society: ser valiosa para nuestra sociedad

As long as: so long as: con tal que

Structure

The Role of the Free Press

1 (General statement) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………. However, (rhetorical question) …………………………………

………………………………………….or …………………………………………………………………………………………………?

As far as politics is concerned, (in favour) ………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………. Unfortunately, (against) ………………………………………..

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From an educational point of view, (in favour) ……………………………………………………….…………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Opponents of this view

argue that ………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……

As a consequence, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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On a personal level, (in favour) ………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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…………….. Nevertheless, …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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On the whole, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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