Mass Media устная тема

Let’s talk about means of communication. What is your favourite one? What role does the Internet play in your life?

Throughout the history people understood that knowledge is power. The main source of information for millions of people is mass media. M.M. includes newspapers and magazines, radio and television. They all provide us with news.

The most traditional medium of delivering news to the people, of course, the newspaper. The choice of the newspapers is wide. Nowadays newspapers cater for different political views, interests and levels of education. National newspapers in the UK were traditionally divided by format, between serious, intelligent, quality newspapers – broadsheets- and the sensational, popular or red-top tabloids. Newspapers provide first-hand information, professional reporters have an access to the right people, an access to great resources that’s why the information they provide is reliable. Many people prefer broadsheets because they are unbiased newspapers and they want to know what is going on in the world and to have balanced view of the world. Tabloids haven’t got quality to the articles, they are sensational with attractive headlines. They just help to pass the time.

Many people still prefer the radio. People can often call in and ask questions about everything. Callers often get a chance to give their opinions on the air. Besides radio has fresher news than newspapers. It’s the daily source of information.

Nobody will deny that TV is the most popular type of mass media. Its importance is unquestionable. Quality documentary programmes possess educational power. TV helps to broaden horizons and get acquainted with different cultures. But TV has two sides of the coin. Nowadays TV is the reason of new social problems, like television addictions and increased crime and violence rates. (violent action and horror films as well as low-quality TV programmes are mostly to blame). The effect mass media has on us largely depends on our choice of what we watch and read.

Today teens are not really interested in any traditional media. TV, radio and newspapers are becoming less and less popular. Most adolescents are into the Internet. They use Facebook for social networking, they search and research topics with Google, watch videos on YouTube and download music from file-sharing sites. Today’s teenagers have grown up surrounded by technology and the Internet. Magazines, newspapers and even books are “online” and can be read on the computer. You can find information on any topics – the possibilities are endless. The Internet can instantly connect you to other computers, allowing you to chat with people and keep in touch with your distant relatives all over the world. The Internet makes the distance unimportant. We can talk for free and without time limits. People use video chats, chat-rooms and instant messaging. Text messaging is the most convenient and the cheapest form of communication.

I personally prefer to use my mobile phone. It’s portable and convenient. You can use it wherever you are.

2. Do you agree that social networks have a negative effect on teenagers?

Social networks have both negative and positive effect on teenagers. Social networks help young people to socialize, find new friends and share their opinions and experiences. But at the same time teenagers spend too much time on the internet and they can face with cyber-bullying, trolling, offensive messages or illegal information. I think teenagers should use social networks carefully and spend more time on education and face-to-face communication.

3. What questions will you ask a famous blogger?

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4. My friend spends a lot of time surfing the internet which worries his family a lot. What can you advise them to do in this situation?

Teenagers tend to spend a lot of time on the Internet. Parents should limit the time spent by their children on the Net. Parents should set a good example and encourage their children to take up more outdoor activities such as sports and games. It will be more useful for a person to walk in the street, to go to a café or to the cinema together with friends or family.

5. How do people usually get news?

TV, radio, newspapers, magazines and the Internet are the basic mass media and news providers. In many countries including Belarus most people prefer to get news on TV. But nowadays news changes so fast that more and more people are using Internet media platforms.