Учебно-методическое пособие по дисциплине «Английский язык» для студентов 1 курса

18. Тема: Новости. СМИ.

to relax — расслабиться

to switch on — включать (телевизор, радио)

hardly — едва

satellite television — спутниковое телевидение

enormous — огромный

to supply— обеспечивать, поставлять

rumours — слухи

to advertise — рекламировать

coverage — освещение в печати, по радио

event — событие

entertainment — развлечение

fashion — мода

huge — огромный

discovery — обнаружение, открытие

to be keen on — увлекаться чем-либо

to provide — снабжать, обеспечивать

disaster — катастрофа

earthquake — землетрясение

negotiations — переговоры

pollution — загрязнение

strike — забастовка

broadcast — трансляция
2. Работа с текстами. Чтение с целью поиска конкретной информации.
Текст . Mass media: pros and cons
Mass media consists of printed production, television, radio and Internet. One can choosefrom a great variety of these sources. Mass media provides us with necessary information on things and events happening worldwide 24 hours a day. And it also helps us to spend our leisure time.

Its history begins with the first printed Chinese newspaper in 868 A.D. Europe saw its first book in 1453 when Johannes Guttenberg invented the printed press.

The influence of mass media is doubtless, but is it positive or negative? There are benefits aswell as some drawbacks in this issue.

The very first benefit is information. Nowadays the information can be useful for people. It is very important for everyone because there are lots of things happening every minute in the world which can affect our professional and private life.

And it makes news accessible: just turn on the TV or look through news sites and you will be kept currently informed. Another useful purpose is education. Many people gain knowledge from the Internet and TV programs. It is an easy and affordable way to cultivate intelligence.

And what about drawbacks? As people use to say “Too much ofa good thing is good for nothing”. This suits to the mass media. One shouldn`t rely one verything the newspapers say. Misrepresentations and bare- faced lie easily take placeand misinform millions of people. Mass media can also manipulate the minds of the audiences as it was done in the times of the Soviet Union.

Tоday we witness the influence of various sources of mass media on youth. Tons of meaning less TV- shows, glossy magazines and social networks steal young people`s time that could be spent on beneficial and healthy activities. They lose their own opinion and have nothing to say except the ideas heard from others.

To my mind we can’t imagine our lives without mass media. It is silly to avoid it aswe can use its advantages.Though we should be careful and filter all information we get. I do my best to stay informed about the latest events and I’m fond of searching in the Internet.

But I don’t forget that mass media is only a part of my life and not the essential one.
Текст 2. Mass Media
The mass media play an important part in our lives. Newspapers, radio and especially TV inform us of what is going on in this world and give us wonderful possibilities for education and entertainment. They also influence the way we see the world and shape our views.

Of course, not all newspapers and TV programmes report the events objectively, but serious journalists and TV reporters try to be fair and provide us with reliable information.

It is true that the world today is full of dramatic events and most news seems to be bad news. But people aren't interested in ordinary events. That is why there are so many programmes and articles about natural disasters, plane crashes, wars, murders and robberies. Good news doesn't usually make headlines. Bad news does.

Some people say that journalists are given too much freedom. They often intrude on people's private lives. They follow celebrities and print sensational stories about them which are untrue or half-true. They take photos of them in their most intimate moments. The question is — should this be allowed?

The main source of news for millions of people is television. People like TV news because they can see everything with their own eyes. And that's an important advantage. Seeing, as we know, is believing. Besides, it's much more difficult for politicians to lie in front of the cameras than on the pages of newspapers.

Still, many people prefer the radio. It's good to listen to in the car, or in the open air, or when you do something about the house.

Newspapers don't react to events as quickly as TV, but they usually provide us with extra detail, comment and background information.

The Internet has recently become another important source of information. Its main advantage is that news appears on the screen as soon as things happen in real life and you don't have to wait for news time on TV.

Newspapers, with their enormous circulation report, different kinds of news can supply any kind of information. They cаrry articles that cover the latest international and national events, all kind of rumours, advertising, fun stories, biographies оf well-known people, etc. You can buy newspapers also f6rthe radio and TV programs, where a full coverage of commercial, financial and public affairs is given. There are newspapers and magazines for young people. They give a wide assortment of news, events and reports on education, sports, cultural life, entertainment, fashion, etc. There are many advertising programs now. If you like to know more about the World, you can watch Discovery Channels that represent a huge massive of information on people lives, biographies (Discovery People channel), new discoveries in science (Discovery Science, Discovery Sci-Tech channels). If you are keen on traveiling, ancient extinct civilizations, Discovery Civilization is your channel. There are about dozen of Discovery Channels, with the help of which we can choose everything we want. Our television provides so much information which can vary from social and economic crises, conflicts, wars, disasters, earthquakes, to diplomatic visits, negotiations; from terrorism, corruption, to pollution problems, strikes, social movements that sometimes we are lost in this information ocean.

Radio broadcasts are valued mainly for their music programs (Europe Plus, Russian Radio, etc.).

Viewers are fond of watching different show, movies, sports, plays, games; educational and cultural programs and so on.

As for me my family is also a mass media consumer, one of millions. I have a TV set in my room. I like «Culture Program» It is my mother’s favourite program too. My father is a hockey and football fan, he likes to watch sport channels. My elder brother Andrey likes adult programms, my younger brother Igor is keen on Discovery Channels. I’m not keen on special programs. I like to see a bit this and a bit that. Also, I can say I like programs about travelling and traditions of other countries and nations. These programs educate and relax me at the same time.

 

3. Ответить на вопросы:

2. What information can we find in newspapers?

3. What kind of programs do Discovery channels broadcast?

4. Why can one be lost in the information ocean of television?

5. What is the main value of radio broadcasts?