# Mass Media
### 1. What "mass media" means

- Media = channels that **communicate information** to a large audience.
- Main functions: **inform, educate, entertain, influence opinion**.
- "**Mass** media" = reach many people at once.

### 2. Traditional media

- **Print:** newspapers, magazines, books.
- **Broadcast:** television, radio.
- **Film** in cinemas.

### 3. New / digital media

- **News websites** (Seznam Zprávy, iDNES, BBC, CNN).
- **Social media** – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit.
- **Streaming:** Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Spotify, Apple Music.
- **Podcasts.**
- **Blogs, vlogs.**

### 4. Newspapers and magazines

- **Quality / broadsheet press** – serious news (The Guardian, The Times, Hospodářské noviny).
- **Tabloid press** – sensational news, gossip (The Sun, Blesk, Aha!).
- **Specialist magazines** – tech, sports, fashion, science.
- Print sales are dropping, **online versions** are taking over.

### 5. Television

- **Public broadcasters:** Česká televize (ČT1, ČT2, ČT24, ČT Sport), BBC (UK), PBS (USA).
- **Commercial:** TV Nova, Prima, FTV Prima; in UK ITV, Channel 4; in USA ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX.
- **Programmes:** news, talk shows, reality TV, soap operas, sitcoms, documentaries, sport, films, cartoons.
- TV viewership is declining among young people, who switch to **streaming and YouTube**.

### 6. Radio

- **Public:** Český rozhlas (Radiožurnál, Vltava, Plus, Dvojka, Wave).
- **Commercial:** Evropa 2, Frekvence 1, Impuls, Rádio Blaník.
- Music, news, traffic, entertainment.
- Listened to in the **car, at work, while doing other things**.

### 7. Internet & social media

- The **internet** has become the dominant medium.
- **Social media** allows anyone to publish content.
- **Algorithms** show personalised content (filter bubbles, echo chambers).
- **Influencers** with millions of followers shape opinions and trends.
- **Citizen journalism** – ordinary people report news live.

### 8. Pros of media

- **Information** at any time, from anywhere.
- **Education** – documentaries, online courses, news.
- **Entertainment** – films, music, games.
- **Communication** with friends and family worldwide.
- **Watchdog** on politicians and corporations.

### 9. Cons / dangers

- **Fake news, disinformation, propaganda** (often during elections / wars).
- **Filter bubbles** – we only see what confirms our views.
- **Privacy issues** – data collection, tracking, targeted ads.
- **Cyberbullying, hate speech.**
- **Addiction** to social media, doom-scrolling.
- **Manipulation** of public opinion.
- **Mental health impact** – anxiety, low self-esteem, comparison.

### 10. Media literacy

- Check **multiple sources** before believing news.
- Distinguish **news from opinion**.
- Be aware of who **funds and owns** the media.
- Recognise **bias** and propaganda techniques.
- Be careful about what you **share**.

### 11. Media ownership in CZ

- Some Czech media are owned by **businessmen / oligarchs** (e.g. Andrej Babiš formerly owned MAFRA – Mladá fronta DNES, Lidové noviny).
- This raises concerns about **conflicts of interest** between business, politics and journalism.
- Public broadcasters (ČT, ČRo) are financed by **licence fees**.

### 12. My personal media use

- *I mainly use… (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify) every day.*
- *I read news on… (Seznam Zprávy, news apps).*
- *I watch TV / Netflix mostly in the evening.*
- *I try to limit social media because…*

### 13. Useful vocabulary

- Journalist, reporter, editor, anchor, host, columnist, blogger, vlogger, influencer.
- Headline, article, column, editorial, interview, review, advert / advertisement.
- Censorship, freedom of speech / press, biased / objective reporting.
- To go viral, to scroll, to like / share / comment / follow / subscribe.

### 14. Speaking strategy

Split media into traditional (TV, radio, print) vs. new (online, social media). Mention examples (Czech and English). Talk about how you personally use them and how much time you spend on them. Highlight benefits and dangers (esp. fake news, mental health). Finish with the importance of media literacy.