EEDOM OF SPEECH Gomi sais) Answer the questions. 1 What do you understand by the term ‘freedom of speech’? 2 What ie the importance of freedam af speech in a democracy? 3. Where do most people in your country get information from on what is happening in their ‘own country and abroad? 4 Do you think we are being fuly informed? Qa ° @ wane sxius 1. _Fillin the correct form of the appropriate verb to complete this passage about censorship, Although most of us would [1] _supgort__ freedom of speech and [2] _eondomn any attempts | 0 [3] _eutall__it, we would stil [8] elcome _strcter controls over what is and ian'tallowed to be [5] _broadcast_on television, and often restrict what our children watch. This, of course, means that we are, in fact, [6] _practising _a form of censorship ourselves | Im most countries, the courts have the power to [7] mle that a publication or film is f obscene. They can then decide whether it should be [8] banned or simply [9] __edlted I For some, however, this could be seen as an infringement of our rights. For others, itis a justifiable ' attempt by the governiment to [10] _safaquard society's moral standards. lo 2 Choose the correct word that can replace the underlined word. 1. There is so much gratuitous violence on our screens that some form of censorship is called for The media undoubtedly attempts to mould public opinion, ‘The readers of some newspapers seem to be easily swayed, Nobody could overlook such extreme censorship. ‘The coverage of the political scandal cannot be sald to have been unbiased. Reporting often has a political slant Detractors of the press say newspapers fail to tackle serious issues ‘Those who speak out against the state seek to undermine the stability of our nation, 76wo 5 Choose the correct word. Ee es Sa ta when wilting an essay, you can use negative inversion to make your writing more formal. Rewrite the sentences below, as In the example. Censorship should not be condoned under any circumstances. : Under no circumstances 3 There are few cases where censorship is appropriate. In few cases _is censorship eporogeata, 2. The importance of freedom of speech should never be underestimated. Never _should ine importance of loedom of sp2ech be underestimated, 3. Censorship is only justified in the case af violenea in chileken's programmes. Only in the case of _vclence in children’s programmes ls censorship justtied. 4 Itis rare for newspapers to be completely impartial | Raroly are newspapers completely impartial. 5 We cannot form an opinion about a contentious issue unless we read about i in a number of newspapers first Only if _we read about tin @ number of newspapers first, can we form an opinion about a contentious issue. | 1 Fill in the correct prepositions / particles. i Few peoplé are_in_ favour of censorship. ‘The content of some television programmes is definitely offensive _to__children and adults alike. : ‘The public rely on the media to keep abreast _of _ the news, jin__accordance _with their own, poi Some leaders try to suppress views which are not Does the press ever really give a balanced account __of _ events? How can we ensure censorship does not infringe _on___our rights? Because of the Internet, young people have access _f _ unsuitable material 4 2 a 4 5 6 7 8 Does censorship rob us __of _ the right to be informed? subs onset * 1 ncd 1 vot some people believe we should not be allowed to express views which are ant- establishment, others feel itis necessary. 2 The idea of censorship may not be consistent with democratic ideals. 2!» may be occasions when itis justified. «there public opinion was influenced, making it seem more important than it 3. The coverage of the trial was biased. 4 The media sensationalised the affair, really was, 5. We are brought up to believe in the freedom of speech, support some forms of censorship. many of us still rmreaeret Fara ‘aoe4 Inan essay, you may have to discuss opposing points of view, Look at this example and then answer the question Read the two texts below. Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from bolt texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your anewers, Censorship ~ a necessary evil q We are ennstantly being exposed to dangerous opinions and need fo be protected from these, just fas we need to protect our children from bad re infuences on tleision. This is even more important CEMSORED in the age ofthe Item, when anyone’can vito, Ryne ge ef whatever they want and upload it onto a webpage af } The voices of those who speak out against the establishment should also be silenced as they aim to Undermine th sabity ofthe Salo Foe Speoch | should only be granted to those prepared to use it responsibly. Freedom of speech is a human right Free speech uses the word ‘free’ for a reason, and} t any limitation on it means censorship, Censorship infinges on our civil and human rights and cannot be allowed in any form in a demacratic country. Many governments use censorship as @ way of silencing their detractors, thus robbing the ordinary citizen of the right to be informed. Censorship begins with a+ few words here and there, and ends in newspapers | being closed down and voices of protest imprisoned, | ; SO q SILENCE © Under no circumstances, therefore, can censorship be condoned, 1 What is meant by the term ‘a necessary evil’? Can you think of anything you would refer to in this way? something tha s uypivssant but necessary; examinavons 2 What forms of censorship can you think of? ‘ot etowing publishers / writers to express ther views; controling what ls Sroadeast on TV or shown in fins 3 Would you say censorship constitutes a violation of our rights? ‘#100 extreme; depends on the circumstances 4 Could censorship be used to protect us from harmful opinions? we should be free fo make up our ewn minds 5 Is censorship ever necessaty to ensure the stablity of our society? ‘na democracy, shouldn't be necessary or allowed no, ast ninges on our freedom Fesponsibie for entorcing this? television, Internat, cinoma, especialy where chien are concerned; government officials, TV watehdogs, i ‘special censorship board | 6 Can you think of any cases where some form of censorship may be appropriate? Who would be2. Look at this plan @ student has made for the essay. What is wrong with it? Intreduction: censorship has been used throughout history by governments; | think is a bad thing Paragraph 2: censorship infinges on our rights; we should be allowed to make up our own minds Paragraph 3: some people say censorship is necessary for siabilty ~ this seems quite far-fetched but could be true in the casa of war Paragraph 4: there could be cases where censorship is useful, for example to cut down on the amount of violence we are exposed to on TV Conclusion: I'm mostly against censorship; it might be necessary as far as TV and the Intemet are concerned REP EN TE CEO a {opinion shoud be given Inthe concasion of an essay where you ar asta odaciss to opposing pois ofview, nar nihe. Iniocuetion; the writer of te essay claims toe against censorehip bu paragraphs tree and four actually support nthe conclusion the writer raises an interesting point (about tho Internet) tal should Rave een covered i hemi pat ofthe eay, reboblyin paragraph four] 3 Now read this essay based on the exam task. : 4 Censorehip is practised for a variety of reasons and existe in mary forms. For some it may be a necessary evil; for others, however, it constitutes an Infringement: of our hurnan rights. Most people would no doubt agree that there is no place for censorship in a true democracy, ae democracy has long been associated with the ideals of liberty and equality. It Follows, therefore, that the voice of every citizen should be heard and that each of us has the right to be informed Censorship, however, does not allow us that right. In ito most extreme form, carsorship is @ weapon used by rulers to oppress people and suppress information. Writers carrot publich what they want: and the media has no option but to agree with the government's perspective, Ordinary citizens simply do not: have a voice, Nor, unfortunately, do they have access to a variety of opinions and viewpoints. Under no circumstances can such Forms of censorship be advocated. For who, utimately, has the right to decide what should or shouldn't be heard or read? Ceneorship, without a doubt, can be a very dangerous weapon. The principle of censorship does, however, have ite defenders. Some of its supporters would go 80 far as to argue that censorship io necessary for the stability of a country. Such a view is rarely condoned in a truly democratic state, However, many would agree that some kind of censorship is called for a9 Far ao television is concemed: There are“a rumber of television programmes which are unfit For children, The same applies to the Internet. Our chiidren are able to access uneutable or even harmful material and there is little we can do about it. A form of censorstip applied here would urdoubtedy meet with Universal support. ayant inl RE RESO MIE Censorship invariably deprives us of our freedom of opeech and is not consistent with the ideals of a democracy. However, there may be exceptions where Gengorship can be condoned if it: Is carried out in a just manner and is in the interests of us all EE oeLook at the introduction again. Which of the following dogs it contain? fa the writer's personal opinion about censorship [] bb a general statement about censorship [7] a reference tothe tile of one of the texts ('s censorship a necessary evil?) [7] 4G) FINAL PREPARATION for PAR { 1 Look at the task. i Read the two texts below. Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points rom both texts. f Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your answers, Don't tell me what to think! The press says that its job is to keep the public informed, but in reality it aims to ‘change the way we interpret events. This may not be obvious on a day-to-day basis, where news events are not so important, but when there's @ war, for example. you rarely get any objective news. Most newspapers are owned by individuals who have a very biased way of looking at things, and its their own opinions they want to put ‘across; this often means ignoring the facts, fr even stretching the truth in an attempt to mislead us. » The intelligent reader Even ifa certain publication tries to brainwash us into adopting their viewpoint, aren't we clever enough to see through it? Few people today rely on one source of news, so a single newspaper can have littie power over us, regardless of whether its journalism is biased or impartial. Also, with the advent of the Internet, ‘we have ready access to sites that are dedicated to fact checking, and we can go to them to sort out any misleading articles. The modemday reader has to be able to read between the lines, ‘and the tools are there to allow him to do so. reer erngnnnennnemene rn2. Planning your essay. Answer these questions orally: 1. What do you think the role of the press should be? In reality, what is i? 3 How do you choose which paper to buy? Do you always believe everything you read in it? 4 Are most people able to recognise i a newspaper is trying to influence them? Sy 5 How do you keep informed about current affairs and new developments? “ee | 7 werieg 2 G00 taste, You roduction needs: ‘a general statement about the role / purpose of the press a reference to.the fact that the press is sometimes accused of shaping public opinion Try to write a good introduction for your essay here: fa Manmsne tee ened myn tin sue | ‘keep abreast of what is happening on a national and Intnational level. However, it has been accused of striving to shape public ‘pinion rather than simply to inform.4. How te organise your CPE writing task. ‘The plan below will help you write your essay. Inteodctiae a general statement about the role / purpose of the press; a reference tothe fact, that the press is sometimes accused of shaping public opinion iscuss the points raised in the first text and add any viewpoints of your own 4 ciscuss the points raised inthe second text and add any viewpoints of yourown Concice ‘sum up your opinion about the the role of the press In shaping pubile opinion be held by other people | Ways of refering to opinions that may | | ttcould, of course, be argued that i Many | Sonne are of the opinion that ‘One commonly held view is that. It is often claimed | said that | | Useful Language i ee 4 ‘There Is always a political slant to what we fr i We should not overiook the fact that. | road in i t biousy, the facts are distorted While some may be convinced that. | \ The role of the press needs careful 0 eee 4 ‘examination before we can i Without a doubt, the general public is Oo being decoived on a dally basis... ; Do newspaper editors deliberately set’ out foe gos to mislead us? ‘Are we purposely being kept in the dark?