Media

2023/f/m/12

7. The increasing use of social media is damaging people’s communication skills. Discuss.

Answers are likely to:

• consider the ways in which increased social media use may be damaging communication skills

• discuss the positive impacts increased social media use has on communication skills

• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.

Answers might include discussions and examples such as:

• increased social media use diminishing face to face contact and conversation skills

• social cues and communication nuance being missed on social media

• too much social media having a negative impact on confidence which can diminish communication
skills

• social media placing unrealistic expectations on people, reducing their willingness to communicate

• the ultimate goal of social media being profit, not to help people communicate

• people hiding behind their screens and communicating in ways they would not during face-to-face
conversations

• social media allowing people to communicate who may not be able to in real life

• social media being simply an evolution of communication, rather than something which is damaging.

2023/m/j/11

3. Television will always be the most popular form of entertainment. To what extent do you
agree?
Answers are likely to: 
 explore what television is in today’s world 
 consider the importance of television compared with other forms of entertainment
 make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as: 
 the way stories are told, in episode format, that can be watched over short or long periods
of time 
 family and friends sharing and enjoying programmes at home without travelling to a
cinema 
 the relative expense of television programming compared to other forms of entertainment
 providing a wealth of educational content as well as being a source of companionship
 the excess cost of high-quality sound and vision equipment for home use 
 streamed internet entertainment to mobile devices becoming attractive to a world-wide
audience 
 the decline of families sitting together to watch television 
 the many other forms of entertainment that might be more appealing than television.

2023/m/j/12
7. Mobile devices designed to connect people actually increase social isolation. Discuss.
Answers are likely to: 
 assess the extent to which mobile devices increase connectivity for individuals in positive
ways 
 show an understanding of the ways in which a mobile device’s use can be isolating and
reductive 
 make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as: 
 mobile devices, with access to the internet, media, interactive gaming and social media,
offer endless opportunities to connect with others 
 geographical limitations on connections are almost completely removed with mobile
devices’ prevalence 
 mobile devices with their apps reducing the cost of keeping in touch with others 
 the ability to unite people, in support of causes and movements, is immense and powerful
 making easy connections with those of similar views can exclude others 
 reduced time for higher quality face-to-face interaction with other people
 communication skills for in-person interaction being essential for jobs and relationships
 the real number of direct personal contacts received being frequently far lower than the
virtual, emphasising our increasing physical isolation.

2023/m/j/13
8. Digital media does more harm than good. Discuss.
Answers are likely to:
• assess what is meant by digital media
• evaluate what harm, or good, digital media can be said to do
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as:
• how digital media is superficially attractive to an uninformed audience
• as a relatively new development, digital media being largely uncontrolled
• digital media being 'immediate', rather than reflective, encouraging unconsidered judgements
• how digital media appeals to an immature audience that is excited by the latest ‘fashionable’
ideas
• digital media enabling the exercise of freedom of speech, without societal censorship
• how digital media’s lack of censorship often allows the truth to come out
• how digital media engages young audiences who would not be attracted by traditional media
• the encouragement of debate and reflection on matters of current concern.

2022/o/n/11
9. Printed newspapers, magazines, books and comics are no longer needed in our digital age.
Discuss.
Answers are likely to:
• consider non-digital media as well as digital media
• assess to what extent printed media is still needed
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as:
• how paper copies fade and can be easily damaged but can be preserved digitally
• environmental issues caused by the vast amount of paper required for printing and the effects
of deforestation
• discussion of how systems can be hacked or policed more easily
• the ability for digital copies to reach a worldwide audience
• the easiness of transporting a tablet or phone compared to a paper copy
• illustrations and images can be digitally enhanced or altered to suit a variety of needs
• many parts of the world relying on books and not having access to modern technology
• individuals preferring to touch and hold the materials they read

2022/o/n/12
7. The digital book is never likely to replace the printed one. How far do you agree?
Answers are likely to:
• identify what is meant by a ‘digital’ book
• consider its efficacy and popularity
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as:
• the recent explosion of all things digital, which means increased familiarity with reading on
screens
• digital books being more portable
• the persistence of print media despite the availability of digital options
• the virtues of a conventional book – less eye strain and suitability for young children
• bookstores and libraries continuing to be popular
• the art of publishing – illustrations, photographs etc. which may be lost in an e-book
• the cost of an electronic device may be out of reach for some
• it being dependent on the type/genre of book or document.
 2022/on/12
10. Cartoons and animations have no serious purpose. To what extent do you agree?
Answers are likely to:
• consider why cartoons and animations may be considered as trivial
• show an understanding of examples of cartoons and animations that may be judged to be
trivial and others that may have a serious purpose
• make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples based on:
• animations and cartoons often being made for children and are therefore often trivial in
terms of content.
• historically, animations and cartoons being shorter than live action films/written content and
this means less depth of content.
• how a great deal of work goes into animated works; that this work is time-consuming and
requires great dedication
• how cartoon and animations can be created digitally now making them seem almost realistic
• that animation can be sophisticated and have artistic merit
• use of cartoons/animations for educational purposes
• animated films/series/cartoons commenting on serious or topical issues
• cartoons/animation having a long history and can be regarded as high art.

2022/m/j/22
11. The media has become a dangerous part of daily life. To what extent do you agree?
Answers are likely to: 
 examine the role that media in its various forms must play in daily life 
 explore the extent to which media has become dangerous 
 make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples, such as: 
 the media benefits daily life in many ways as it is an instant form of communication
 media can inform, educate and inspire people of all ages 
 it allows for the showcasing of talents and gives great entertainment 
 it being a simple means of promoting awareness of products, services, views and ideals
 media isolating people resulting in various social and health problems 
 the promotion of extreme views can have a damaging impact on society 
 media can be one-sided and give narrow viewpoints on important issues 
 inappropriate media having a damaging impact on children and other vulnerable people.

2022/m/j/12
8. To what extent do television programmes have a negative influence on people?
Answers are likely to: 
 discuss the role of television programmes in society 
 consider the extent to which the influence of television programmes has been negative
 make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussion and examples such as: 
 television programmes making people lazy and replacing more active leisure pursuits
 some television programmes are essentially escapist and having little cultural value
 Illegal and inappropriate actions are ‘normalised’ in many programmes 
 causing people to interact less and to stay in their own homes more 
 television being responsible for high quality programmes and making them available
around the world 
 television becoming an important medium for news and current affairs 
 in many countries, regulatory bodies monitor negative or controversial content of
television programmes 
 recent developments in digital television and streaming improving the range and diversity
of programmes.
 2022/m/j/13
9. News media must always tell the truth. To what extent do you agree?
Answers are likely to: 
 show an understanding of the concept of truth in what we read, hear and see 
 discuss circumstances where the media might be justified in not telling the whole truth
 make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as: 
 versions of the truth may depend upon the political and social attitudes of those involved in
the media 
 sensationalism and rumor-mongering being the economic mainstay of many media outlets

 untruthful/partial news should be condemned as likely to limit people’s access to facts and
their understanding of issues 
 accurate news being important in keeping people safe and informed 
 facts and figures reported can be checked objectively using other sources 
 opinion and analysis being subjective appeal to people of different persuasions 
 popular morale may be upheld if the whole truth is not revealed by governments under
certain circumstances 
 it being, to a degree, up to consumers of news to develop a critical approach to sources
and fact-checking.

2022/f/m/12
10. Evaluate the need for censorship in films and television.
Answers are likely to:
• examine who might censor films and television and why
• consider the necessity for censorship on society and its potential impacts
• make a judgement based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussion and examples such as:
• the prevention of hate speech and subversion before it is aired
• parents limiting access to some television channels to protect their children
• the effectiveness of the ratings system used in films and music
• the exclusion of offensive and explicit scenes which may offend
• how regimes can control what the entertainment that is available to the people
• the avoidance of creating narratives that are untrue as a form of entertainment
• the management of censorship is fallible with many ways of breaching the laws
• any form of censorship being seen as the stifling of creativity and freedom.

2021/o/n/11
8. Newspapers in your country should not be allowed to publish the views of just one person or
organisation. Discuss.
Answers will be focused on one country with which the candidate identifies or to which they
direct their answer.
Answers are likely to:
• consider the role newspapers in the candidate’s chosen country
• examine the impact of one person’s ideas affecting people’s views and opinions
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussion and examples such as:
• having a single voice to represent an opinion when there may be other views and styles of
presenting an issue
• the danger of political bias which can influence a political decision
• allowing personal prejudices to override objectivity when not considering other groups and
views
• failing to represent the whole population when presenting a view or argument
• a writer should be ethical and morally accountable for their viewpoint
• some writers being deliberately controversial and sometimes untruthful in order to sell
newspapers
• ways in which writers gather ideas which can be biased or omit key lines of enquiry
• the words of one person impacting on the population at significant times in a nation’s history.
 2021/o/n/13
4. Security cameras are essential to keep our towns and cities safe. To what extent do you
agree?
Answers are likely to:
• consider the uses of surveillance cameras in towns and cities
• examine how far security can be ensured and maintained, as well as the drawbacks
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussion and examples such as:
• improving public safety and the ability to collect information that can be stored and used as
evidence
• acting as a deterrent and reducing crime rates in most cases
• helping to locate and arrest criminals more easily and successfully
• providing real time information enabling action to be taken immediately
• technical breakdowns or damage by the public as the costs and maintenance can be high
• issues connected with the clarity of the images and identification
• hours of unnecessary data collected as cameras never stop recording
• innocent people being observed unnecessarily without their knowledge or consent.

2021/m/j/12
9. News that is free of censorship is the only way that people can find out the truth. Discuss.
Answers are likely to:
• explore the impact of censorship on the delivery of news
• analyse whether censorship can impact on the truthfulness of news reporting
• make a judgement, based on a consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as:
• publishers or broadcasters not being controlled or restricted by government censorship in
political and ideological matters
• stories being told truthfully but with bias, omissions and exaggerations
• limiting government power and its role in providing a counterbalance in democracies
• the possibility of situations being manipulated that results in the dissemination of fake news
• presenting stories that could be damaging or result in financial gain for organisations and
individuals
• a lack of control over sources leading the public to become confused or unaware of the more
discerning viewpoints
• a totally free press would allow the publication of material from unreliable and perhaps
uneducated sources
• the difficulties and desirability of censoring news on the internet.

2021/m/j/13
5. Using a telephone is the best way of communicating. To what extent do you agree?
Answers are likely to:
• examine the features of making calls and sending texts
• consider their relative strengths and weaknesses in different contexts
• make a judgement, based on the consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussion and examples such as:
• talking on the telephone or in person encourages, fluency, and self-confidence
• verbal communication by telephone offering less opportunity for misunderstandings to occur
• calls take place in real time with instant reaction and response
• face to face contact allows parties to experience emotional reactions
• using texts when travelling to avoid disturbing other people with conversation
• the ease by which written reminders can be sent and therefore unlikely to be forgotten
• how shy and introverted people can communicate more readily than in live conversation
• the frustration people experience no matter how they try to communicate.
 2021/f/m/12
4. It is impossible to maintain privacy in an online environment. Discuss.
Answers are likely to:
• consider the nature and importance of privacy online
• discuss the extent to which privacy can be maintained in an online environment
• make a judgement, based on consideration of the evidence and argument put forward.
Answers might include discussions and examples such as:
• people’s online profiles are increasingly detailed when they interact with others online,
especially on social media
• privacy is not commercially attractive as various interests would not be best served
• many consumers like to receive suggestions for news or products, weakening attempts of
others to opt out of such practices
• difficulties over regulation and protection of one’s personal details online
• security and data breaches which can endanger and compromise people
• legitimate reasons for breaching the privacy of individuals, groups or organisations
• use of privacy settings online and their limitations, especially on social media and with online
purchases
• the role of education in ensuring young people are more aware of the dangers and protecting
themselves online.