Skip to main content
SWStudyWalks Search

Social Sciences and History / Unit 9   SSH 0815 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Four Roles of the Media

Captions available

The idea

The media are all communications carrying information to citizens: print, radio, television, the Internet. Conglomerates owning many outlets can approach monopoly and narrow the flow. The media entertain, watch for corruption, set the agenda, and promote the public good.

In practice

A beat: the coverage area assigned to a journalist.

Where people slip

In each role the media signal when citizens should act.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it