STANAG 6001 Level 3 – Speaking Task (Discussion): The Most and the Least Informative Media
Examination Task
Nowadays people have access to numerous sources of information. Look at the list below. Discuss the following media and try to agree which of them is the most and the least informative. Be ready to justify your choice.
- TV
- Press
- The Internet
Sample Discussion
A: Nowadays people have access to numerous sources of information. Let’s discuss TV, the press and the Internet, and decide which of them is the most and the least informative.
B: In my view, the Internet is definitely the most informative source. It offers immediate access to a huge amount of information, and the content is constantly updated and enriched with photos and video materials. People also have a wide choice of different websites and can read articles in different languages.
A: Yes, it’s true. The Internet is very fast and accessible almost everywhere, as about 96% of households in Poland have access to it. However, there is a lot of misinformation and fake news online, which are deliberately misleading, shocking, and intended to create controversy. For example, some online articles are deliberately written to manipulate readers by presenting biased or incomplete information. This can significantly influence public opinion, particularly in sensitive areas such as politics, international conflicts, health, and the economy, where misinformation and manipulation are especially common. Don’t you think that we tend to overestimate the informational role of the Internet?
B: By no means. The Internet has become the main source of information for most people around the world. Although the Internet is not always a fully reliable source of information, it plays a crucial role in today’s world due to its speed and accessibility. Despite the problem of misinformation, users have the possibility to choose sources, such as news agencies, and compare information. The most informative media are those that prioritize fact-based, objective reporting over opinion, such as Reuters, Associated Press, and BBC News, which are renowned for their accuracy and international coverage.
A: That’s true. Now, let’s talk about TV. It provides a large selection of channels with news, analysis, and live coverage of events. Do you think it is more informative than the Internet?
B: I think the Internet is more informative than TV because it provides faster access to up-to-date news and a greater variety of sources. TV combines images and content, making it easier to present information in an engaging way. However, some channels may be biased or influenced by political interests. In Poland, television broadcasts are often shaped by specific editorial lines and viewpoints. Therefore, they are not fully objective; however, it is worth noting that no media message is completely objective.
A: I completely agree. People who watch television tend to be selective in choosing channels and programmes. They choose those that are most interesting to them. Moreover, research shows that television in Poland is losing its audience, especially among younger generations, in favour of the Internet and streaming services. Daily contact with traditional television is mainly maintained by older members of society, people with lower incomes, and residents of smaller towns. In general, both the frequency of watching traditional TV and the average time spent in front of the screen are decreasing. The main competitors of traditional television are platforms such as YouTube and streaming services. Their advantage lies in the availability of on-demand content 24 hours a day, as well as the quality and attractiveness of the content they offer.
B: That’s a very interesting point, and I agree that traditional television is indeed losing popularity, especially among younger people. Additionally, I personally find the amount of advertising on TV quite irritating, especially during peak viewing hours. Don’t you think that this also reduces the overall quality of television content?
A: Of course it does. People tend to avoid all kinds of advertising that we are constantly bombarded with in everyday life. I know that because of the excessive amount of advertising, some people do not watch television at all. Let’s now consider the press. What’s your opinion?
B: I think that only a small number of people buy and read printed newspapers nowadays, as most readers prefer faster and more convenient access to news online. Ongoing digitalisation, cost reduction, and the much faster flow of information on the Internet all contribute to the decline of the printed press. Many newspapers have moved their activities to the Internet, often completely abandoning printed editions. This trend is unlikely to be reversed, as the press has no real chance of competing with the Internet in terms of cost and speed of information. That’s why the printed press is perhaps the least informative source nowadays. Do you agree?
A: You are absolutely right. I would say TV is more informative than the press because it reaches a wider audience and provides up-to-date information. However, I must add that television often lacks the ability to provide a comprehensive explanation of complex topics due to limited broadcasting time.
B: That’s true. To sum up, I think the Internet is the most informative source, as it combines speed, accessibility and a variety of perspectives. As for the least informative, it depends on the criteria, but I think that the press is the least informative. Do you agree?
A: Yes, I agree. The Internet is the most informative medium, followed by TV, and the press is the least informative.