Lesson Plan

• Describe the main ownership structures of traditional and new media.
• Explain key control mechanisms that shape content in both media forms.
• Compare major theoretical perspectives related to media ownership and control.
• Analyse the societal implications of ownership and control across media.
• Evaluate case studies to illustrate how media power influences politics and culture.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts containing the comparative table and Venn‑diagram template
• Laptops/tablets with internet access for case‑study research
• Short video clips (e.g., BBC broadcast vs. Netflix streaming)
• Kahoot or similar quiz platform for a quick check

Begin with a quick think‑pair‑share: “Who decides what news you see online and on TV?” Connect this to students’ prior knowledge of newspapers and social media. Explain that today they will uncover the owners and control mechanisms behind both traditional and new media, and how these shape the information they consume. Success will be measured by their ability to compare structures, explain controls, and apply theory to real‑world examples.

1. Starter – Think‑pair‑share (5') – Students discuss who influences the news they encounter.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Overview of traditional media ownership (corporate, state, family) and control (editorial policy, regulators, advertising).
3. Group activity (15') – Using the handout table, groups fill a Venn diagram comparing ownership, control mechanisms, and audience roles of traditional vs. new media.
4. Case‑study analysis (15') – Small groups examine BBC vs. Netflix and Fox News vs. Facebook, answering guided questions on power and influence.
5. Theoretical perspectives discussion (10') – Link findings to Political Economy, Propaganda Model, Network Society, and Surveillance Capitalism.
6. Check for understanding (5') – Kahoot quiz or exit‑ticket prompts summarising key concepts.

Recap the main similarities and differences in ownership and control between traditional and new media, highlighting how these affect public discourse. Students complete an exit ticket stating one way algorithmic control differs from editorial control. For homework, they research a recent media ownership change (e.g., a merger or acquisition) and write a brief reflection on its potential societal impact.