[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"exercise-825":3},{"payload":4,"id":7,"user":8,"level":14,"course":15,"activity":16,"activity_slug":17,"title":6,"topic":18,"tone":19,"stats":20,"created":23,"score":24,"is_favorite":25,"public":26,"is_external":25},{"text":5,"title":6},"Critical journalism plays (0) AN essential role in democratic societies, not only by informing the public but also by holding those in power to account. In an age (1) .......... information spreads instantly and opinions are often presented as facts, the work of careful reporters matters more than ever. Journalists are expected to investigate claims thoroughly, rather than simply pass (2) .......... official statements without question. By doing so, they help citizens distinguish truth from manipulation.\n\nThis function becomes even more important when governments or corporations attempt to act (3) .......... scrutiny. A free press can reveal misconduct, expose conflicts of interest and draw attention to issues that might otherwise remain hidden. It is precisely (4) .......... this reason that independent journalism is sometimes attacked by those who would prefer not to be challenged.\n\nAt the same time, critical journalism must be exercised responsibly. Reporters need to base their work (5) .......... evidence, verify sources and avoid sensationalism. If they fail to do so, public trust may be damaged, and that trust is difficult to win (6) .......... once it has been lost. Ultimately, journalism serves the public best when it asks difficult questions, insists (7) .......... transparency and refuses to accept easy answers. Without it, citizens would be far less able to judge whether leaders are acting (8) .......... the public interest.","Critical Journalism",825,{"id":9,"username":10,"first_name":11,"last_name":12,"image":13},23933,"adrian-nicolae","Adrian","Nicolae","https://api.useofenglish.ai/static/img/users/default-profile-picture.jpg","C1","Reading","Open Cloze","open-cloze","Create an exercise about the role of critical journalism","Standard",{"times_played":21,"num_favorites":22},3,0,"2026-05-15T15:03:38",null,false,true]