The media and the global dimension
Research has shown that most people's knowledge about the developing world comes almost entirely from television. It is therefore important that young people understand the medium that is largely responsible for forming their attitudes. Television often presents a distorted view of the developing world.
- News programmes tend to focus on conflicts (often reduced to simple villain/victim oppositions) or natural disasters in which people are victims needing - and seen receiving - help from the West.
- We rarely hear an account of events from local people, as news stories tend to be mediated by aid workers or western journalists.
- There is rarely any political, economic or historical context to explain the events that are happening.
- In-depth documentaries that could provide a different perspective are rarely shown and, when they are, they tend not to be at peak times.
It is important, however, that pupils go beyond simply being aware of the distortions endemic in media representations and are encouraged to imagine alternatives. 'How might things be done differently?' is perhaps the most important question to ask of pupils when working with media.
The activity on the right gives pupils an opportunity to look at the same subject or story from different angles, and to see that nearly all press and media reports contain some element of bias.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Ask pupils to find a selection of different media articles on the same global issue.
- For each article, ask pupils to identify which of the following are portrayed:
- truth;
- information;
- persuasion;
- exposure;
- change;
- challenge;
- bias.
- Discuss the results as a whole class.
- Now ask pupils to prepare their own news item, this time presenting a balanced story which takes into account all the relevant viewpoints.
- If you would like to try some further activities, go to the 'Teaching activities' section (date unknown) of the BBC World Service website: BBC World Service
