AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies Paper 2, June 2025: Question 2
7 marks · Medium difficulty · Short Answer
Identify the definition of mass media, explain 'public interest' in media reporting, and discuss how IPSO helps the UK newspaper industry meet its responsibilities.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
02.1 Which of the following is the best term for a means of communication which can
reach a large number of people?
[1 mark]
Shade in the one correct answer.
A e-media
B Mass media
C New media
D Traditional media
02.2 Explain the term ‘public interest’ in the context of media reporting.
[2 marks]
02.3 Source B
IPSO and the UK newspaper industry
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) was established in 2014 by
the UK newspaper industry. The purpose of IPSO is to help the newspaper
industry meet its responsibilities.
These responsibilities include:
• holding those in power to account
• supporting the principle of free speech
• making sure newspaper reporting is in the public interest.
Discuss how IPSO helps the UK newspaper industry meet its responsibilities.
Refer to Source B in your answer.
[4 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
02 1 Which of the following is the best term for a means of 1
communication which can reach a large number of people?
Correct response: B Mass media
AO1 = 1
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
02 2 Explain the term ‘public interest’ in the context of media reporting. 2
Award up to 2 marks for an accurate explanation of the term ‘public
interest’.
This could be:
reporting that serves the interests of the public (1) by exposing criminal
behaviour/protecting public health and safety and/or preventing the public
from being misled by an individual or organisation (1).
Accept any other appropriate response.
AO1 = 2
Total
Qu Part Marking guidance
marks
02 3 Discuss how IPSO helps the UK newspaper industry meet its 4
responsibilities.
Refer to Source B in your answer.
Level Marks Descriptor
Good application of knowledge and understanding
of the concepts.
2 3–4
Response clear and relevant to the concepts
surrounding the citizenship context.
Basic application of knowledge and understanding
of the concepts.
1 1–2
Response muddled and lacking relevance to the
concepts surrounding the citizenship context.
00 Nothing to credit.
Indicative content
The candidate answer requires the application of knowledge regarding
how IPSO helps the UK newspaper industry to meet its responsibilities to
Source B. The source discusses the main responsibilities of the UK
newspaper industry that IPSO was established to help them meet.
The candidate’s answer may include some of the following points.
How IPSO helps the UK
Source B newspaper industry to meet its
responsibilities
• Holding those in power to IPSO, by allowing the newspaper
account industry to self-regulate, helps it to
avoid government regulation and
therefore preserves its
independence from the UK
Government so that it is free to
criticise those in power.
• Supporting the principle of free UK newspapers are independent
speech from government regulation
(because of the self-regulation
provided by IPSO) and can
therefore remain a key supporter
of the principle of free speech
which is a characteristic of
democratic societies.
• Making sure newspaper reporting In order to make sure all stories
is in the public interest printed are in the public interest,
and also accurate, IPSO has the
power to:
• fine newspapers when IPSO
considers that a newspaper has
not maintained a high
professional standard 7
• make newspapers print
corrections and apologies.
AO2 = 4
How to answer it
Media Roles, Public Interest & IPSO Regulation
This set of questions evaluates your understanding of the role and regulation of the free press in a democratic society (Theme: Politics and Participation). Specifically, it assesses:
- AO1 (Recall & Understanding): Defining key terminology including mass media and the legal/ethical concept of public interest.
- AO2 (Application): Analysing stimulus material (Source B) to explain how the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) balances press freedom, accountability, and ethical standards via self-regulation.
Multiple Choice: Defining Media Types
Which of the following is the best term for a means of communication which can reach a large number of people?
✅ Correct Answer
B: Mass media
Award 1 mark for shading option B.
💡 Key Knowledge
- Mass media: Any medium designed to communicate simultaneously with huge, dispersed audiences (e.g., national newspapers, TV, radio).
- Traditional media: Print and broadcast media prior to the digital internet age.
- New media / e-media: Digital and online platforms, including social networks, blogs, and websites.
❌ Common Misconceptions
Students often select New media or e-media because the internet reaches billions today. However, the overarching citizenship term for any medium that communicates broadly to a mass audience is mass media.
Defining 'Public Interest' in Media Reporting
Explain the term 'public interest' in the context of media reporting.
✅ Model Answer (Full 2 Marks)
'Public interest' means reporting information that directly serves or benefits the general public [1 mark], such as by exposing criminal behaviour, corruption, protecting public health and safety, or preventing citizens from being misled [1 mark].
• 1st mark: Clarifying that it serves the welfare/good of the community (not just what the public finds intriguing).
• 2nd mark: Giving a concrete function or example (e.g. uncovering crime, political dishonesty, or safety risks).
❌ Critical Trap: Interest of the Public vs. Interesting to the Public
The most frequent student mistake: Confusing "what the public is interested in" with "what is in the public interest".
- Not public interest: Celebrity gossip, private relationships, or scandalous clickbait that the public enjoys reading.
- Genuine public interest: Revealing serious wrongdoing, safeguarding democracy, or protecting consumer rights.
IPSO & Newspaper Responsibilities
Discuss how IPSO helps the UK newspaper industry meet its responsibilities. Refer to Source B in your answer.
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) was established in 2014 by the UK newspaper industry to help meet responsibilities including: holding those in power to account; supporting the principle of free speech; and making sure newspaper reporting is in the public interest.
💡 What IPSO Does (Core Facts)
- Self-regulatory body: Created following the Leveson Inquiry (2012) into press standards and phone hacking.
- Enforces the Editors' Code: Sets rules on accuracy, privacy, harassment, and discrimination.
- Sanction powers: Can require front-page corrections, uphold public complaints, and issue fines up to £1,000,000 for serious/systematic failures.
🧠 Exam Technique: 4-Mark Levelled Response
- Quote & Unpack: Directly lift a bullet from Source B, then explain the mechanism IPSO uses to deliver it.
- Use Citizenship Terminology: Include words like self-regulation, state censorship, democratic accountability, and Editors' Code.
- Level 2 (3–4 marks): Requires clear, accurate application connecting IPSO's actual powers to at least two responsibilities in the source.
✅ Model Answer (Level 2: 4/4 Marks)
Firstly, Source B notes that newspapers must "hold those in power to account" and "support the principle of free speech". IPSO helps achieve this because it is a system of independent self-regulation. Because newspapers are regulated by IPSO rather than directly by the government, press freedom is preserved from state censorship. This allows investigative journalists to scrutinise MPs and corporations without fear of being shut down by the state.
Secondly, Source B states that reporting must be "in the public interest". IPSO enforces the Editors' Code of Practice, which guarantees accuracy and fairness. If a newspaper breaches these standards or publishes misleading, harmful claims, IPSO has the authority to investigate, force newspapers to print prominent corrections and apologies, and even issue fines. This ensures that the press remains trustworthy while serving the community.
🔍 How Level 1 vs. Level 2 Is Decided by Examiners
Merely copies lines out of Source B without explaining how IPSO works, or writes vaguely: "IPSO stops newspapers telling lies so it keeps free speech." Lacks citizenship context.
Explicitly links Source B responsibilities to IPSO's real regulatory tools (e.g., self-regulation vs state control, fines, forcing front-page corrections).
Topics
3.2 Life in modern Britain · 3.2.3 What is the role of the media and the free press?
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Citizenship Studies examination, Paper 2, June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.