Use of English

Watchful Reporting

Good journalism does far more than simply repeat what powerful people say. At its best, it (0) PLAYS a vital role in public life by asking difficult questions and checking whether official claims are true. Critical journalism is not about attacking people for the (1) .......... of it; rather, it aims to hold institutions to account. Reporters often have to dig (2) .......... large amounts of information, compare sources and speak to people who may be unwilling to comment. In doing so, they help readers make (3) .......... their own minds about complex issues. A careful journalist also tries to put events in (4) .........., so that a single statement or statistic is not misunderstood. Of course, this kind of work can be slow and expensive, and mistakes can damage a newspaper’s reputation. Even so, when the press carries (5) .......... serious investigations, it can reveal wrongdoing that might otherwise remain hidden. This is why a free press is often seen as a protection (6) .......... abuse of power. Without it, citizens may find it harder to tell fact from opinion and rumour from evidence. In the end, critical journalism helps keep public debate (7) .......... reality and reminds leaders that they cannot always get (8) .......... with avoiding scrutiny.