News Mash-up: Media

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. discourse / ˈdɪs kɔrs / (n.) – a discussion of thoughts or ideas in spoken or written form
    Example:

    The students were engaged in a lively discourse about climate change.


  2. shake up (something) / ʃeɪk ʌp / (phrasal v.) – to make big changes in something, such as an organization or a system, usually to improve it
    Example:

    The new manager plans to shake up the department by introducing new rules.


  3. echo chamber / ˈɛk oʊ ˌtʃeɪm bər / (n.) – a situation where people share and hear only opinions similar to their own, often to the point that they’re unaware of or unwilling to hear different opinions
    Example:

    Social media has created echo chambers that only show people the views and opinions that they want to see.


  4. elite / ɪˈlit / (n.) – a person or group that’s considered to be one of the most powerful, most influential, etc.
    Example:

    It’s a resort for the elites; I don’t think regular people can even make a reservation.


  5. equivalent / ɪˈkwɪv ə lənt / (n.) – something that’s of the same value or purpose as another thing
    Example:

    Small print ads in magazines are the equivalent of pop-up ads on online articles.


Article

Read the text below.

HK pro-democracy Apple Daily closes


The pro-democracy Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily closed for good June 23 following police raids and the arrest of executives — a move that critics say undermines the city’s status as a free and open society.


The jewel in Lai’s Next Digital media business, Apple Daily is a popular tabloid founded 26 years ago that mixes pro-democracy discourse with celebrity gossip and critical reports on China’s Communist leaders.


Hundreds of police raided the paper June 16 in a national security probe in which senior Apple Daily executives were arrested. (Reuters)


New news channel launches in UK and wants to shake things up


A new news channel launched on British television on June 13 with the aim of shaking up a media landscape that it claims has become an echo chamber for metropolitan elites.


GB News, which is positioning itself as a rival to the BBC and Sky News, denies it will be the British equivalent of Fox News.


However, the channel, which has been backed by New York-based Discovery and British investor Paul Marshall, among others, clearly wants to do things differently, offering viewers a more opinionated service than they are used to.


“We are proud to be British,” veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil said during the launch. (AP)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Do you think governments have the right to close down media companies? How much control does the government have over the media in your country? Why? Discuss.
  • GB News is offering viewers a more opinionated service, with shows that discuss views that aren’t often heard in popular media. Do you think opinions should be shared on news programs, or should they focus on simply sharing facts? Why? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • In recent years, more and more people are speaking about “fake news” and not trusting mainstream media. What do you think is the reason for this? Are you seeing a similar situation in your own country? Discuss.
  • Do you think your country has enough news channels, or should there be more/less? Do you have a preferred news channel? Why? Discuss.