This advanced level gap-fill activity features vocabulary related to media and news organizations. Use each word or phrase once to fill in the gaps. Definitions of terms and phrases used provided below the gap fill. Here's another gap fill on newspapers for more practice. Teachers can use this lesson on newspaper headlines to extend this activity.

columnist, press, fact finding mission, credulous, headline, bias, face value, integrity, the media, eyewitness, news articles, front page, objectively, trust, point of view, op-ed writer, informed, reader, slander, subjective, op-ed pieces, editions, opinion, credible, news services, ethical, editorials, time consuming, debunked, journalist, topic

Trusting the News?

Many people believe that __________ presents an unbiased view of our world. They feel this is especially true for _________ newspapers such as the New York Times or The Guardian. The public expects the _________ to report stories __________ and not from an subjective __________. For example, when I buy a copy of my favorite newspaper and I look at the __________, I might be tempted to believe every _________. After all, _________ always report the truth, don't they? Sadly, that's not always the case. 

In English speaking countries __________ are one of the most popular pages of the newspaper. The public counts on the __________ of the writer to present a well-balanced opinion. However, it's important to remember that _________ are just an __________. In other words, an __________ will present his or her __________ opinion. They'll try to convince you of their opinion through an argumentative essay that's written to persuade the reader of the writer's point of view. Often these pieces are insightful and truly helpful.

At other times, they may include __________ used to paint an ugly picture of someone the writer doesn't like. It's up to the reader to use caution and always remember that, no matter how __________ the columnist may be, the views expressed represent an opinion - not fact.

Another issue with many __________ is that the sources a __________ may use are not always 100% trustworthy. There have been numerous examples over the years of of headlines that present a story only to be __________ as complete nonsense years later. It's funny how __________ readers can be. If an __________ provides an account, that's good enough for your average reader. Unfortunately, eyewitnesses sometimes exaggerate and often have a __________ that is hard to discern. 

What's a reader to do? Well, first of all, don't __________ everything you read. This is especially true in this age of the internet. Take everything with a grain of salt, and, when possible, read multiple articles on the same _________. In fact, that's one of the greatest strengths of the internet is the ability to read far and wide and arrive at your own opinion. Most major foreign newspapers now have English __________ which allow people from all over the world compare a story as it's viewed in Japan, France, Germany, China, The United States, Russia and so on. Certainly, this is __________, but it will help you understand what's really going on in the world. 

The next time you open your favorite newspaper, or read an article by a __________ you like, ask yourself what point of view it might represent. Keeping in mind that newspapers tend to be politically motivated in many cases, reading any reporter's story becomes a __________ in its own right. Finally, here's one last tip: Read papers with points of view that you don't usually take into consideration. This will help you remain open and critical even of those you trust most. In this way, you'll become an __________ rather than taking everything you read at _________.

Definitions

bias = preference towards a specific point of view
columnist = someone who writes an article every week, day or month in a regular space
credible = something that you can believe
credulous = willing to believe anything
debunked = proven to be untrue
editions = published newspapers 
editorials = article expressing opinions about current events
ethical = moral, just
eyewitness = someone who sees something happen
face value = what appears to be true at first glance
fact finding mission = attempt to find out the truth about a situation
front page = first page of a newspaper
headline = title of a story in a newspaper
informed reader = someone who reads articles and is well educated about the topic
integrity = the quality of being honest and having strong morals
journalist = personal who investigates and writes news stories
news articles = stories about things that are happening in the world
news services = press, news providers
objectively = not influenced by personal feelings
op-ed pieces = editorial, article expressing opinions
op-ed writer = someone who writes editorials
opinion = personal feeling and views on a subject
point of view = opinion
press = general term for newspapers 
slander = a false statement damaging to another person
subjective = form a personal point of view
the media = newspapers, television, magazines, distributors of information in general
time consuming = taking a lot of time
topic = subject of an article
trust = belief in the truth or ability of someone or something

Answers

the media
credible
press
objectively
point of view
front page
headline
news services
editorials 
integrity 
op-ed pieces
opinion
op-ed writer
subjective
slander
ethical
news articles
journalist
debunked
credulous
eyewitness
bias
trust
topic
editions
time consuming
columnist
fact finding mission
informed reader 
face value