Elections, Parties, and Pressure Groups
Session 11: Media in Elections

Materials

• Political Process Vocabulary List (Attachment A)
• Daily newspapers

Instructional Activities

1. Write the day's vocabulary words on an overhead or on the board (see Attachment A). Briefly discuss their meanings.
   
   
2. Discuss what makes up the mass media (TV, radio, newspapers, national magazines, Internet). Ask students to give examples. Why is it called the "mass" media?
   
   
3. Explain that the mass media plays an important role in the political process by:
   •    Identifying candidates.
   •    Emphasizing selected issues.
   •    Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed articles.
   •    Broadcasting different points of view.
   
   
4. Bring in examples of each of the types of media listed above and make five copies. Divide students into groups and ask them to look at the content and appearance of each type. Discuss how they differ.
   
   
5. Assign the section on propaganda techniques in the textbook for homework.