The media, free press and checking information

News reaches us from TV, newspapers, websites and social media. A free press matters in a democracy, but not everything you see is true.

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Why a free press matters

In a democracy the media can report freely and criticise the government. This lets citizens find out what is happening and hold those in power to account. The press is sometimes called a watchdog.
In the UK, Ofcom regulates TV and radio. Broadcast news must be reported with due impartiality (fairly, without taking sides).
Newspapers and websites may openly support a side in their opinion pages.

Fact, opinion and bias

A fact can be checked and shown to be true. An opinion is what someone thinks.
Bias means presenting a one-sided view, for example by leaving out important facts or using loaded words.
Misinformation is false information shared by mistake. Disinformation is false information spread on purpose to mislead.

Check before you share

Before you trust or share something:
Who made it? Is the source known and reliable?
What is the evidence? Is it a fact or an opinion?
When was it published? Is it out of date?
Check other reliable sources: do they report the same thing?
Be extra careful with images and videos, which can be edited or made by AI.
Worked example

A post says, 'Scientists PROVE school is bad for you!' with no link and no names. How should you judge it?

  1. Who made it? There is no named source or scientist.
  2. What is the evidence? There is no link to any study.
  3. The capital letters and strong claim suggest it is trying to grab attention. Check reliable sources before believing or sharing it.

Answer: Treat it as unreliable: no source, no evidence and loaded language. Check other reliable sources first.

Key idea

A free press informs citizens and holds power to account. Ofcom requires broadcast news to be duly impartial. Tell facts from opinions, watch for bias, and check who made something, the evidence and other sources before sharing.

Key words
Democracy
Rule by the people, usually by electing representatives in free and fair elections.
Bias
Presenting a one-sided view, for example by leaving out facts or using loaded words.
Misinformation
False information that is shared by mistake.
Disinformation
False information spread on purpose to mislead people.

All KS3 Citizenship key terms and definitions →

Common mistakes
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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. Which of these is an opinion?

    1. The UK has 650 constituencies
    2. MPs are elected
    3. Parliament should have more young MPs
    4. The Speaker chairs debates
    Show the answer

    Answer: Parliament should have more young MPs

    Opinions are views that cannot be proved true or false.

  2. A news report only interviews people who support one side. What is this an example of?

    1. Balance
    2. Bias
    3. Impartiality
    4. Fact-checking
    Show the answer

    Answer: Bias

    Bias is presenting a one-sided view.

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 23 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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