gp essay on social media

To what extent has social media devalued true friendship in your society?

Table of Contents

Introduction

The benefits of social media on friendship, the drawbacks of social media on friendship, the effect of social media on face-to-face interactions.

Social media has revolutionized the way we connect with others, making it easier to stay in touch with friends and family, and allowing us to form new relationships. However, the increased reliance on social media has also had some negative impacts on the value of true friendship.

The superficial nature of online relationships, the difficulty in forming deep and meaningful connections, and the negative impact of social media comparisons on self-esteem are all drawbacks of social media on friendship. The decline in face-to-face interactions, the decline in interpersonal communication skills, and the loss of nonverbal cues have all contributed to the devaluation of true friendship.

However, it is important to balance our use of social media with face-to-face interactions to maintain the value of true friendship. By prioritizing in-person interactions and preserving the importance of face-to-face connections, we can ensure that our relationships remain deep and meaningful.

In conclusion, the impact of social media on friendship is complex and depends on how individuals choose to use it. While it has made it easier to stay in touch with friends and family, it has also encouraged superficial relationships and reduced face-to-face interactions. By being mindful of its potential drawbacks and preserving the value of true friendship, we can ensure that social media does not completely devalue the meaningful relationships that form the foundation of our lives.

I. Introduction

• Definition of social media
• The impact of social media on friendship

II. The benefits of social media on friendship

• Increased accessibility to friends
• Ability to stay in touch with friends who live far away
• Easier to maintain relationships with old friends

III. The drawbacks of social media on friendship

• The superficial nature of online relationships
• Difficulty in forming deep and meaningful connections
• The negative impact of social media comparisons on self-esteem

IV. The effect of social media on face-to-face interactions

• Decreased face-to-face communication
• The impact of social media on real-life conversations
• Difficulty in building trust and empathy through online interactions

V. Conclusion

• Summary of main points
• Reflection on the balance between the benefits and drawbacks of social media on friendship
• Final thoughts on the importance of maintaining a balance between online and face-to-face relationships to preserve the value of true friendship.

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and connect with others. It has provided a platform for people to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences with a wider audience, enabling them to connect with friends and family from all over the world. However, with the increasing prevalence of social media, it has also raised questions about the impact of these online interactions on the value of true friendship.

The impact of social media on friendship has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it has made it easier to connect with people and maintain relationships, while others argue that it has contributed to the devaluation of true friendship. On one hand, social media allows people to stay in touch with friends who live far away and provides an easy way to maintain relationships with old friends. On the other hand, the superficial nature of online relationships and the difficulty in forming deep and meaningful connections has raised concerns about the impact of social media on the quality of our friendships.

This essay will explore the extent to which social media has devalued true friendship by examining both the benefits and drawbacks of social media on friendship. The thesis statement of this essay is: While social media has made it easier to connect with people and maintain relationships, it has also contributed to the devaluation of true friendship to some extent.

There are several benefits of social media that have positively impacted friendship, some of which are:

Increased accessibility to friends : Social media platforms allow users to connect with friends and family from all over the world, making it easier to maintain long-distance relationships. People can stay in touch with friends they have not seen in a long time or keep up-to-date with the lives of friends who live far away.

Ability to stay in touch with friends who live far away : Social media has made it easier to maintain relationships with friends who live far away, enabling users to stay connected with people they care about despite the physical distance between them. Users can send messages, share updates, and participate in online groups to stay connected with their friends.

Easier to maintain relationships with old friends : Social media has also made it easier for people to maintain relationships with old friends. People can reconnect with friends from their past through platforms like Facebook, and rekindle relationships that may have otherwise been lost.

These benefits of social media have helped people to maintain their friendships and connect with others in new and innovative ways. By providing an easy and accessible platform for communication and connection, social media has played a significant role in strengthening and preserving our friendships.

While social media has several benefits for friendship, it also has some drawbacks that have contributed to the devaluation of true friendship, including:

The superficial nature of online relationships : Social media often encourages users to present a curated and idealized version of themselves, leading to superficial relationships. People may not reveal their true thoughts and feelings online, making it difficult to form deep and meaningful connections. Worse still, in my society, we often witness scams related to online dating where people have been tricked into sending money or sensitive information to individuals posing as potential romantic partners. These scams often target vulnerable people and can have devastating consequences for their finances and emotional well-being.

Difficulty in forming deep and meaningful connections : The lack of face-to-face interaction and physical touch can make it challenging to form deep and meaningful connections through social media. This can lead to a lack of emotional intimacy and reduced empathy, making it more challenging to develop strong relationships.

The negative impact of social media comparisons on self-esteem : Social media often encourages users to compare themselves with others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This can be damaging to our self-worth and negatively impact our friendships, as people may be less likely to share their vulnerabilities and weaknesses online.

Addiction and obsession : Social media can also be addictive, leading to an obsession with checking notifications and scrolling through feeds. This can interfere with face-to-face interactions and real-life relationships, leading to a decline in true friendship.

These drawbacks of social media on friendship highlight the limitations of online interactions and the importance of maintaining face-to-face relationships. By recognizing these limitations, we can strive to balance our online and face-to-face interactions to preserve the value of true friendship.

Social media has also had an impact on face-to-face interactions, with some people relying more on online interactions rather than in-person ones. The following are some of the effects of social media on face-to-face interactions:

Reduced face-to-face time with friends : With the rise of social media, people are spending less time engaging in face-to-face interactions with friends. People are more likely to spend time scrolling through their social media feeds and sending messages to their friends, rather than spending time together in person.

Decline in interpersonal communication skills : The increased reliance on social media has also contributed to a decline in interpersonal communication skills. People may struggle to communicate effectively in person, as they have become accustomed to relying on social media as their primary means of communication.

Loss of nonverbal cues : Face-to-face interactions are essential for interpreting nonverbal cues, such as body language, tone, and facial expressions. The absence of these cues in online interactions can make it challenging to interpret the emotions and intentions of others, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications.

The decline in face-to-face interactions and the accompanying decline in interpersonal communication skills and loss of nonverbal cues have contributed to the devaluation of true friendship. By balancing our online and face-to-face interactions, we can maintain the value of true friendship and preserve the importance of face-to-face connections.

In conclusion, social media has both benefits and drawbacks that have impacted the value of true friendship. While social media has made it easier to connect with friends, stay in touch with those who live far away, and reconnect with old friends, it has also encouraged superficial relationships, reduced face-to-face interactions, and contributed to a decline in interpersonal communication skills.

It is essential to recognize the limitations of online interactions and balance our use of social media with face-to-face interactions. By prioritizing in-person interactions and preserving the value of true friendship, we can maintain deep and meaningful relationships with those we care about.

In the end, the impact of social media on friendship is complex and depends on how individuals choose to use it. By being mindful of its potential drawbacks and making an effort to preserve face-to-face interactions, we can ensure that social media does not completely devalue the true and meaningful relationships that form the foundation of our lives.

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General Paper (GP) Essay Questions Compilation for 2020 and Thematic Strategies

GP Essay Questions (2020) and Thematic Strategies

Looking for the 2021 a levels essay questions it’s over here.

Below are questions inspired by the essay questions in this year’s prelim papers. I have modified them to avoid copyright issues. I have also organised them into topics for our easy reference. The major themes to focus on are: Arts, Science & Tech, Media, Politics, Environment, Individual/Values, General. These themes have been selected based on their frequency in the A Levels as well as whether they are large enough to cover different types of questions.

So below are over 100 questions that i have compiled for the year of 2020, all for your easy reference 🙂 If you need more questions, please check out the original post that has questions compiled across three years . I have also included some general questions for those of you who prefer to attempt general questions.

1. Arts/Heritage

• TWE do the arts effect change in your society?
• Consider the claim that museums have no place in today’s world.
• Evaluate the view that museums have no future.
• ‘Films that reflect reality have less appeal.’ What are your views?
• ‘The arts do not matter in times of crisis.’ Is this true for your society.
• TWE is it necessary for the individual to appreciate the arts today?
• ‘A society that preserves its heritage will greatly benefit’. Discuss.
• Evaluate the importance of the arts to your country.
• Is there value to historic sites in your society?
• In your society, is it important to still preserve local cultures despite youths’ declining interest?
• Are physical libraries still relevant in today’s world?
• ‘Countries are progressive when they value the arts.’ Comment.
• ‘There is no point in preserving traditional dialects.’ Discuss in relation to your society.
• HFDYA that museums still have a place in today’s world?
• Does your society give enough recognition to artists?
• ‘The arts are less useful to society than the sciences.’ Comment.

Insight/Strategy: Arts/Heritage types of questions quite commonly focus on the local context . If you are preparing for this theme, it would be useful to know Singapore examples. There are two central tensions apparent in this theme: 1 ) Do the arts have value? 2) How has the digital age change the arts? Being able to address these tensions would help us develop a meaningful response for many Arts questions. 

• Is there any value in pursuing scientific research that is not profitable?
• How far has technology created a more dangerous world?
• Should life-saving medical research be left to private companies instead of the government?
• ‘Science should be left to scientists.’ Discuss.
• Can substantial spending on space exploration ever be justified?
• TWE can technology solve the major problems we face today?
• Assess the claim that technological advancement will eventually replace schools.
• DYA that medical research emphasises more on profits than helping to improve lives?
• Is it justified to put restrictions on developing military technology?
• ‘Global crises will no longer be a threat with progress in science and technology.’ TWE is this true?
• DYA that ethical considerations serve to impede scientific pursuits rather than propel them?
• Considering ethical implications, HFDYA that we genetic engineering should not be allowed?
• ‘Our values are often sacrificed when we focus on scientific advancement.’ Is this valid?
• ‘It is becoming ever more necessary to place restrictions upon scientific research today.’ DYA?
• ‘It is unacceptable to pursue space exploration through public funds.’ HFDYA?
• Is it true that more exploitation has transpired because of modern technology?
• Discuss the claim that the digital economy is more of a bane than boon.

Insight/Strategy: Science and Tech is of course a classic theme that will always be relevant. This year, we see more varied questions under this theme, like those relating to specific areas of tech in space exploration/genetic engineering/military/medical . Preparing for this theme would mean that we are also ready to engage in questions that have such a specific scope, instead of those that ask about the entire spread of science and technology. 

• Do you agree greater control needs to be exerted over social media?
• ‘Governments can no longer control the media now.’ HFDYA?
• Can online vigilantism be justified against non-conforming individuals?
• ‘Personal privacy today is more of a luxury.’ HFDYA?
• Given so much misinformation in the media, can users trust content they come across?
• Are we too eager to embrace digital activism?
• Is it valid to think of social media users as a nasty and unruly crowd?
• Should social media be kept free from regulation?
• How far is it possible and important to increase privacy?
• ‘We should see celebrities as role models we emulate’. DYA?
• Assess the paradox that we become more isolated as we become more connected.
• HFDYA that the personal lives of public figures should not be subjected to public judgment?
• ‘Social media negatively impacts the self-esteem of our youth.’ Discuss.
• Are public figures free to be themselves?
• Is the freedom of the press only a facade?
• How far can we hold the media accountable for problems faced by the youth today?
• ‘We unfairly scrutinise public figures.’ DYA?
• In our world today, do celebrities hold too much influence?
• Consider the view that traditional media platforms are becoming obsolete.

Insight/Strategy: Media questions seem to be very popular in this year’s spread of questions. As I have mentioned previously, the theme of Media has gotten a resurgence in recent years with the rise of social media. An extremely crucial area of focus would, therefore, be on social media. Consider how social media has changed the role of the media and the power dynamics between governments and ordinary citizens. Other issues include privacy, image, censorship. 

4. Politics

• Is it crucial for youth to engage in political activism?
• ‘When it comes to human rights, international efforts trump national efforts.’ Comment.
• TWE should governments take into account religious beliefs when making decisions today?
• ‘The world is a desirable place today with populist leaders’. DYA?
• Consider the claim that no country can afford to isolate itself.
• HFDYA that politicians prioritise immediate concerns over long-term solutions?
• Evaluate the view that strong governance is indispensable to overcome crises.
• ‘In today’s world, democracy is only a game of popularity.’ TWE is this true?
• ‘Diplomacy is the best approach to international relations.’ Discuss.
• Assess the view that global organisations hardly make an impact in the world today.
• Should governments dictate instead of persuade when security is threatened?
• TWE can heightened power of governments be justified by the increasing threats in the world?
• Should countries prioritise the needs of their citizens?
• DYA that youth activism is more motivated by trends rather than a real concern about issues?
• Is diplomacy the panacea to all conflict in our world today?
• ‘With increasing globalisation, xenophobia will only escalate.’ Discuss.
• Would it be more desirable for countries to have more diverse political leaders?
• Is it fair to protect individual rights at any cost?
•  In times of political instability, should governments still allow for individual freedoms?
• HFDYA that we should encourage international cooperation?

Insight/Strategy: Like Sci/Tech, Politics is a theme that never gets old. Interestingly, it is also one of the least popular topics (evident from our Telegram poll and A Levels poll on which questions students picked). The two large branches of Politics would be: International Relations, Governance . The former looks at larger relationships between countries, the latter looks within the country. Doing well for the theme of Politics require us to know about the major events and occurrences in the world, and the different actors: citizens, governments, migrants, activists, international organisations etc. 

5. Environment

• ‘We have exaggerated the extent of the environmental crisis.’ Discuss.
• Is the individual’s efforts in stopping climate change futile?
• DYA that damage we have done to the environment cannot be reversed?
• TWE can global demand for food be satisfied while trying to ensure environmental sustainability?
• ‘A non-meat diet is crucial for the good of the planet.’ Is this valid?
• TWEDYA that renewable energy would benefit the economy as much as it benefits the environment?
• TWE are we prepared for climate change? Discuss this for your country.
• Is it accurate to evaluate your country’s recycling efforts as all talk but no action?
• Assess the view that nature must always be sacrificed for man.
• ‘The responsibility in combating climate change should be shared equally between developed and developing countries.’ Comment.
• ‘Switching to alternative energy sources is a desirable, but unrealistic ideal’. Discuss.

Insight/Strategy: Environment questions have been less popular recently, who knows whether they would make an appearance in this year’s A Levels? Think about environmental issues from these aspects: Causes, Impacts, Solutions . Also look at the perspective of the different parties involved in this conversation: individuals, governments, activists, local organisations, international oragnisations. 

6. Individual/Values

• ‘Happiness may not lie in being healthier.’ Discuss.
• ‘Rules should be followed at all times’. Comment.
• DYA that wealth is the answer to finding happiness?
• ‘We should always sacrifice for the greater good.’ Evaluate this claim.
• HFDYA that we should encourage perseverance?
• ‘The main point of work is financial reward and not personal fulfilment.’ Discuss
• Is a good leader determined more by character than intelligence?
• ‘Wealth determines how far we go in life.’ DYA?
• ‘We should always strive for stability.’ DYA?
• Consider the claim that being feared is more important than being loved.
• DYA that happiness can happen without wealth?
• ‘Fear brings out the worst in people’. DYA?

Insight/Strategy: This theme is often overlooked because many students deem it too philosophical. However, I always encourage my students to look into this theme because it is a very common theme in the A Levels (2 questions for this theme in many of the years). Doing well for questions here require us to think critically about the importance of these different values highlighted, and what roles they play in our lives. Being able to s ee the connection between values and classifying them into smaller categories would also make this theme much more manageable. 

• HFDYA that fashion should determine the identity of an individual?
• Evaluate the claim that there is no value in remembering the past.
• DYA that poverty is the main reason behind crime?
• TWE is it true that women can do better than men?
• Is there any point to social movements?
• ‘It is integral for citizens to understand their country’s history.’ Discuss.
• ‘Activism is one part substance but two parts noise.’ Comment.
• Is your society making sufficient efforts to ensure diversity?
• ‘Global problems already have solutions, but we just lack the will to pursue them.’ Is this valid?
• Should we still think of gender inequality as a distant dream in the modern world?
• Should we embrace or fear uncertainty?
• Consider the claim that protests are ineffective in catalysing change.
• DYA that women will make the world a better place if they have more power?
• Can we give unlimited powers to law enforcement to combat crime?
• ‘Our efforts to fight prejudice are futile.’ Discuss.
• ‘City life is unhealthy.’ Comment.
• ‘History is a mirror that reflects how we never learn from our mistakes.’ Discuss.
• TWE is it true that key to social change lies in the hands of the people and not politicians?
• HFDYA that games are a frivolous pursuit?
• DYA that we do not give real attention to diversity today?
• Is it fair to claim that people are overly reliant on governments to resolve issues? Discuss in relation to your society.
• ‘The death penalty has no place in today’s world’ Is this a valid comment?

Insight/Strategy: This theme contains various topics that are more general and niche, but are not broad enough to become a theme on their own. In here you would find questions relating to specific issues. The biggest tip I have for such questions is: they may not always be that different. Often, you would find connections between arguments you make here and arguments in questions from other themes . The only challenge would of course be the examples , because the topics here are extremely specific. Try to avoid such questions unless you have decent content knowledge for the particular topic. 

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It’s 1 more week before the A Levels! The last lap can be nerve-wrecking but it can also be game-changing! I have seen many students make tremendous and miraculous improvements in the final lap. Study smart and pay attentions to all the skills in GP. Skills mean the difference between knowing how to consciously meet the requirements of GP and simply depending on luck.

That being said, good luck for the upcoming exams. Take care of yourself, be sure not to burn out in this period.

Update: Check out the 2020 A Levels Questions Analysis here 🙂

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GP Essay Questions on Media 6/100

GP Essay Questions on Media. Have a look at these GP Essay Questions on Media from the past papers

• To what extent should the private lives of public figures be the subject of media coverage?
• “The media can largely be blamed for the worldwide increase in violence.” To what extent do you agree?
• Can the media ever be relied upon to convey the truth?
• Should the Press be completely free?
• Consider the importance of drama in your country today. You may refer to live theatre, television and radio plays or any combination of these.
• Compare the effectiveness of any two of the following as a means of news coverage: the radio, television, newspapers.
• How far do magazines or television programmes aimed at young people in Singapore have a positive effect?
• ‘Films which have the greatest appeal are usually those which have the least value.’ By reference to specific examples, consider how far this is a fair assessment.
• In a world without books or music, what would be missing? Discuss with specific examples.
• Should advertising be restricted in any way?
• ‘A film has one purpose – to entertain.’ Using examples, consider this view.
• Advertising encourages a desire for products which people do not actually need. Discuss

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GP Media Essay: ‘We can no longer trust the media.’ Is this a fair comment?

This is one of the most important GP Media essay question that you have to know if you are looking to focus on Media for your examinations. So, our team has prepared for you a concise, detailed and especially helpful Cheat Sheet for you!

Why? This is because of the political and social climate today. Fake news, misinformation and lies have defined our world today. We now live in a post-truth era, where truth is not objective anymore and can be morphed into any shape or form.

Let’s dive into our Cheat Sheet that our team has specially prepared for you!

GP Media Cheat Sheet: ‘We can no longer trust the media.’ Is this a fair comment?

Firstl y , let’s argue that we can still trust the media..

Point 1: As people become inundated with information, the media has a more important journalistic role of fact-checking and truth-telling.

• Fake news was being circulated about Hilary Clinton operating a paedophilic sex ring out of pizza restaurants in America. This even led a misinformed gunman to storm into one of the restaurants involved and fire a few shots. The media played an important role in debunking this fictitious conspiracy theory. The New York Times investigated the story and informed readers that the story was unfounded.

Point 2: The investigative role of the media is still highly trustworthy in this aspect.

• In 2001 and 2002, the Boston Globe investigated and exposed sexual harassments of young boys and girls by Roman Catholic Priests, and how the state tried to cover up for the priests. The Boston Globe won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, for uncovering the scandal.

To spice up our essay and earn those Evaluation marks, let’s have a rebuttal for one of our points. Specifically, Point 2.

Rebuttal: The investigative departments, together with other journalists, are shrinking.

• In the past 15 years, more than half the jobs in the news industry have disappeared, according to a US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is due to falling revenues in news agencies. Inevitably, investigative journalists will begin to shrink in numbers too.

Now, we can argue that we can no longer trust the media.

Point 1: As the profit margin of the industry tightens, the media has become less reliable since media companies struggle to deliver high quality content.

• Even renowned newspaper, the New York Times (NYT), has been publishing regular advertorials for ExxonMobil discrediting science behind climate change. These advertorials on the NYT frequently argue that more evidence is needed about climate change despite the long-established scientific consensus.

Point 2: Journalists today are being targeted by powerful forces, hindering their ability to report truthfully.

• Journalists covering the ongoing drug war in Mexico are at grave risks. In 2017, a prolific journalist known as Javier Valdez Cardenas, famous for such in-depth pieces on “narcos” (referring to drug cartels), was shot dead with twelve bullets in his chest.

Point 3: Today’s media is much more concentrated in a handful of media conglomerates, limiting the diversity of opinions in the media.

• Comcast, the largest conglomerate, alone owns NBC News, CNBC, Universal Pictures, Dreamworks and Euronews. Its 2018 revenue was over $90 billion.

Point 4: As the media today has become more hyper-partisan than ever, its reliability is called into question.

• News agencies have become involved politically, leading some newsrooms to overly favour certain political parties. For example, CNN and MNBC in USA are famously pro-Democrats while Fox is pro-Republicans. This has led to political bias in their reporting.

And finally, to impress your examiners, we highly recommend memorising this point!

Special Point: The reality is that the media, with its tainted history of state control and sensationalism, was never a trustworthy source of information.

• The Turkish newspaper, Zaman, was initially very critical of the President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. However, a government takeover in 2016 replaced some of the journalists. The paper switched its stance overnight and immediately began publishing a series of pro-government articles.
• In 1987, the Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER), a weekly magazine, was forced to restrict circulation (from 10,000 copies to 500 copies) by the Singapore government after publishing an article about the detention of Roman Catholic Church workers. In 2006, the FEER was sued for defamation by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and forced to close.

If you find this GP Media Essay Cheat Sheet useful, do take a look at our other Media Cheat Sheets as well. Additionally, we have posted a three-part Media Essay Series on our Instagram page ( @firstclass.gp ). Do take a look at them as we believe they are beneficial in your learning!

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Feb 15, 2023

6 Example Essays on Social Media | Advantages, Effects, and Outlines

Got an essay assignment about the effects of social media we got you covered check out our examples and outlines below.

Social media has become one of our society's most prominent ways of communication and information sharing in a very short time. It has changed how we communicate and has given us a platform to express our views and opinions and connect with others. It keeps us informed about the world around us. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have brought individuals from all over the world together, breaking down geographical borders and fostering a genuinely global community.

However, social media comes with its difficulties. With the rise of misinformation, cyberbullying, and privacy problems, it's critical to utilize these platforms properly and be aware of the risks. Students in the academic world are frequently assigned essays about the impact of social media on numerous elements of our lives, such as relationships, politics, and culture. These essays necessitate a thorough comprehension of the subject matter, critical thinking, and the ability to synthesize and convey information clearly and succinctly.

But where do you begin? It can be challenging to know where to start with so much information available. Jenni.ai comes in handy here. Jenni.ai is an AI application built exclusively for students to help them write essays more quickly and easily. Jenni.ai provides students with inspiration and assistance on how to approach their essays with its enormous database of sample essays on a variety of themes, including social media. Jenni.ai is the solution you've been looking for if you're experiencing writer's block or need assistance getting started.

So, whether you're a student looking to better your essay writing skills or want to remain up to date on the latest social media advancements, Jenni.ai is here to help. Jenni.ai is the ideal tool for helping you write your finest essay ever, thanks to its simple design, an extensive database of example essays, and cutting-edge AI technology. So, why delay? Sign up for a free trial of Jenni.ai today and begin exploring the worlds of social networking and essay writing!

Want to learn how to write an argumentative essay? Check out these inspiring examples!

We will provide various examples of social media essays so you may get a feel for the genre.

6 Examples of Social Media Essays

Here are 6 examples of Social Media Essays:

The Impact of Social Media on Relationships and Communication

Introduction:.

The way we share information and build relationships has evolved as a direct result of the prevalence of social media in our daily lives. The influence of social media on interpersonal connections and conversation is a hot topic. Although social media has many positive effects, such as bringing people together regardless of physical proximity and making communication quicker and more accessible, it also has a dark side that can affect interpersonal connections and dialogue.

Positive Effects:

Connecting People Across Distances

One of social media's most significant benefits is its ability to connect individuals across long distances. People can use social media platforms to interact and stay in touch with friends and family far away. People can now maintain intimate relationships with those they care about, even when physically separated.

Improved Communication Speed and Efficiency

Additionally, the proliferation of social media sites has accelerated and simplified communication. Thanks to instant messaging, users can have short, timely conversations rather than lengthy ones via email. Furthermore, social media facilitates group communication, such as with classmates or employees, by providing a unified forum for such activities.

Negative Effects:

Decreased Face-to-Face Communication

The decline in in-person interaction is one of social media's most pernicious consequences on interpersonal connections and dialogue. People's reliance on digital communication over in-person contact has increased along with the popularity of social media. Face-to-face interaction has suffered as a result, which has adverse effects on interpersonal relationships and the development of social skills.

Decreased Emotional Intimacy

Another adverse effect of social media on relationships and communication is decreased emotional intimacy. Digital communication lacks the nonverbal cues and facial expressions critical in building emotional connections with others. This can make it more difficult for people to develop close and meaningful relationships, leading to increased loneliness and isolation.

Increased Conflict and Miscommunication

Finally, social media can also lead to increased conflict and miscommunication. The anonymity and distance provided by digital communication can lead to misunderstandings and hurtful comments that might not have been made face-to-face. Additionally, social media can provide a platform for cyberbullying , which can have severe consequences for the victim's mental health and well-being.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the impact of social media on relationships and communication is a complex issue with both positive and negative effects. While social media platforms offer many benefits, such as connecting people across distances and enabling faster and more accessible communication, they also have a dark side that can negatively affect relationships and communication. It is up to individuals to use social media responsibly and to prioritize in-person communication in their relationships and interactions with others.

The Role of Social Media in the Spread of Misinformation and Fake News

Social media has revolutionized the way information is shared and disseminated. However, the ease and speed at which data can be spread on social media also make it a powerful tool for spreading misinformation and fake news. Misinformation and fake news can seriously affect public opinion, influence political decisions, and even cause harm to individuals and communities.

The Pervasiveness of Misinformation and Fake News on Social Media

Misinformation and fake news are prevalent on social media platforms, where they can spread quickly and reach a large audience. This is partly due to the way social media algorithms work, which prioritizes content likely to generate engagement, such as sensational or controversial stories. As a result, false information can spread rapidly and be widely shared before it is fact-checked or debunked.

The Influence of Social Media on Public Opinion

Social media can significantly impact public opinion, as people are likelier to believe the information they see shared by their friends and followers. This can lead to a self-reinforcing cycle, where misinformation and fake news are spread and reinforced, even in the face of evidence to the contrary.

The Challenge of Correcting Misinformation and Fake News

Correcting misinformation and fake news on social media can be a challenging task. This is partly due to the speed at which false information can spread and the difficulty of reaching the same audience exposed to the wrong information in the first place. Additionally, some individuals may be resistant to accepting correction, primarily if the incorrect information supports their beliefs or biases.

In conclusion, the function of social media in disseminating misinformation and fake news is complex and urgent. While social media has revolutionized the sharing of information, it has also made it simpler for false information to propagate and be widely believed. Individuals must be accountable for the information they share and consume, and social media firms must take measures to prevent the spread of disinformation and fake news on their platforms.

The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being

Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of people around the world using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay connected with others and access information. However, while social media has many benefits, it can also negatively affect mental health and well-being.

Comparison and Low Self-Esteem

One of the key ways that social media can affect mental health is by promoting feelings of comparison and low self-esteem. People often present a curated version of their lives on social media, highlighting their successes and hiding their struggles. This can lead others to compare themselves unfavorably, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Another way that social media can negatively impact mental health is through cyberbullying and online harassment. Social media provides a platform for anonymous individuals to harass and abuse others, leading to feelings of anxiety, fear, and depression.

Social Isolation

Despite its name, social media can also contribute to feelings of isolation. At the same time, people may have many online friends but need more meaningful in-person connections and support. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression.

Addiction and Overuse

Finally, social media can be addictive, leading to overuse and negatively impacting mental health and well-being. People may spend hours each day scrolling through their feeds, neglecting other important areas of their lives, such as work, family, and self-care.

In sum, social media has positive and negative consequences on one's psychological and emotional well-being. Realizing this, and taking measures like reducing one's social media use, reaching out to loved ones for help, and prioritizing one's well-being, are crucial. In addition, it's vital that social media giants take ownership of their platforms and actively encourage excellent mental health and well-being.

The Use of Social Media in Political Activism and Social Movements

Social media has recently become increasingly crucial in political action and social movements. Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have given people new ways to express themselves, organize protests, and raise awareness about social and political issues.

Raising Awareness and Mobilizing Action

One of the most important uses of social media in political activity and social movements has been to raise awareness about important issues and mobilize action. Hashtags such as #MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter, for example, have brought attention to sexual harassment and racial injustice, respectively. Similarly, social media has been used to organize protests and other political actions, allowing people to band together and express themselves on a bigger scale.

Connecting with like-minded individuals

A second method in that social media has been utilized in political activity and social movements is to unite like-minded individuals. Through social media, individuals can join online groups, share knowledge and resources, and work with others to accomplish shared objectives. This has been especially significant for geographically scattered individuals or those without access to traditional means of political organizing.

Challenges and Limitations

As a vehicle for political action and social movements, social media has faced many obstacles and restrictions despite its many advantages. For instance, the propagation of misinformation and fake news on social media can impede attempts to disseminate accurate and reliable information. In addition, social media corporations have been condemned for censorship and insufficient protection of user rights.

In conclusion, social media has emerged as a potent instrument for political activism and social movements, giving voice to previously unheard communities and galvanizing support for change. Social media presents many opportunities for communication and collaboration. Still, users and institutions must be conscious of the risks and limitations of these tools to promote their responsible and productive usage.

The Potential Privacy Concerns Raised by Social Media Use and Data Collection Practices

With billions of users each day on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, social media has ingrained itself into every aspect of our lives. While these platforms offer a straightforward method to communicate with others and exchange information, they also raise significant concerns over data collecting and privacy. This article will examine the possible privacy issues posed by social media use and data-gathering techniques.

Data Collection and Sharing

The gathering and sharing of personal data are significant privacy issues brought up by social media use. Social networking sites gather user data, including details about their relationships, hobbies, and routines. This information is made available to third-party businesses for various uses, such as marketing and advertising. This can lead to serious concerns about who has access to and uses our personal information.

Lack of Control Over Personal Information

The absence of user control over personal information is a significant privacy issue brought up by social media usage. Social media makes it challenging to limit who has access to and how data is utilized once it has been posted. Sensitive information may end up being extensively disseminated and may be used maliciously as a result.

Personalized Marketing

Social media companies utilize the information they gather about users to target them with adverts relevant to their interests and usage patterns. Although this could be useful, it might also cause consumers to worry about their privacy since they might feel that their personal information is being used without their permission. Furthermore, there are issues with the integrity of the data being used to target users and the possibility of prejudice based on individual traits.

Government Surveillance

Using social media might spark worries about government surveillance. There are significant concerns regarding privacy and free expression when governments in some nations utilize social media platforms to follow and monitor residents.

In conclusion, social media use raises significant concerns regarding data collecting and privacy. While these platforms make it easy to interact with people and exchange information, they also gather a lot of personal information, which raises questions about who may access it and how it will be used. Users should be aware of these privacy issues and take precautions to safeguard their personal information, such as exercising caution when choosing what details to disclose on social media and keeping their information sharing with other firms to a minimum.

The Ethical and Privacy Concerns Surrounding Social Media Use And Data Collection

Our use of social media to communicate with loved ones, acquire information, and even conduct business has become a crucial part of our everyday lives. The extensive use of social media does, however, raise some ethical and privacy issues that must be resolved. The influence of social media use and data collecting on user rights, the accountability of social media businesses, and the need for improved regulation are all topics that will be covered in this article.

Effect on Individual Privacy:

Social networking sites gather tons of personal data from their users, including delicate information like search history, location data, and even health data. Each user's detailed profile may be created with this data and sold to advertising or used for other reasons. Concerns regarding the privacy of personal information might arise because social media businesses can use this data to target users with customized adverts.

Additionally, individuals might need to know how much their personal information is being gathered and exploited. Data breaches or the unauthorized sharing of personal information with other parties may result in instances where sensitive information is exposed. Users should be aware of the privacy rules of social media firms and take precautions to secure their data.

Responsibility of Social Media Companies:

Social media firms should ensure that they responsibly and ethically gather and use user information. This entails establishing strong security measures to safeguard sensitive information and ensuring users are informed of what information is being collected and how it is used.

Many social media businesses, nevertheless, have come under fire for not upholding these obligations. For instance, the Cambridge Analytica incident highlighted how Facebook users' personal information was exploited for political objectives without their knowledge. This demonstrates the necessity of social media corporations being held responsible for their deeds and ensuring that they are safeguarding the security and privacy of their users.

Better Regulation Is Needed

There is a need for tighter regulation in this field, given the effect, social media has on individual privacy as well as the obligations of social media firms. The creation of laws and regulations that ensure social media companies are gathering and using user information ethically and responsibly, as well as making sure users are aware of their rights and have the ability to control the information that is being collected about them, are all part of this.

Additionally, legislation should ensure that social media businesses are held responsible for their behavior, for example, by levying fines for data breaches or the unauthorized use of personal data. This will provide social media businesses with a significant incentive to prioritize their users' privacy and security and ensure they are upholding their obligations.

In conclusion, social media has fundamentally changed how we engage and communicate with one another, but this increased convenience also raises several ethical and privacy issues. Essential concerns that need to be addressed include the effect of social media on individual privacy, the accountability of social media businesses, and the requirement for greater regulation to safeguard user rights. We can make everyone's online experience safer and more secure by looking more closely at these issues.

In conclusion, social media is a complex and multifaceted topic that has recently captured the world's attention. With its ever-growing influence on our lives, it's no surprise that it has become a popular subject for students to explore in their writing. Whether you are writing an argumentative essay on the impact of social media on privacy, a persuasive essay on the role of social media in politics, or a descriptive essay on the changes social media has brought to the way we communicate, there are countless angles to approach this subject.

However, writing a comprehensive and well-researched essay on social media can be daunting. It requires a thorough understanding of the topic and the ability to articulate your ideas clearly and concisely. This is where Jenni.ai comes in. Our AI-powered tool is designed to help students like you save time and energy and focus on what truly matters - your education. With Jenni.ai , you'll have access to a wealth of examples and receive personalized writing suggestions and feedback.

Whether you're a student who's just starting your writing journey or looking to perfect your craft, Jenni.ai has everything you need to succeed. Our tool provides you with the necessary resources to write with confidence and clarity, no matter your experience level. You'll be able to experiment with different styles, explore new ideas , and refine your writing skills.

So why waste your time and energy struggling to write an essay on your own when you can have Jenni.ai by your side? Sign up for our free trial today and experience the difference for yourself! With Jenni.ai, you'll have the resources you need to write confidently, clearly, and creatively. Get started today and see just how easy and efficient writing can be!

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‘When children grow up exposed to violence, the world will pay the price.” Discuss.

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A government that fails to win the trust of the people is doomed to fail. Comment

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To what extent is the use of violence in today’s world acceptable?

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Should everyone be treated equally all the time?

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Art is only worth what people will pay for it. Do you agree?

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‘Education is a solution to social inequality.’ Do you agree?

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Assess the view that not enough consideration is given to the green agenda.

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Essay on Social Media for School Students and Children

500+ words essay on social media.

Social media is a tool that is becoming quite popular these days because of its user-friendly features. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more are giving people a chance to connect with each other across distances. In other words, the whole world is at our fingertips all thanks to social media. The youth is especially one of the most dominant users of social media. All this makes you wonder that something so powerful and with such a massive reach cannot be all good. Like how there are always two sides to a coin, the same goes for social media. Subsequently, different people have different opinions on this debatable topic. So, in this essay on Social Media, we will see the advantages and disadvantages of social media.

Advantages of Social Media

When we look at the positive aspect of social media, we find numerous advantages. The most important being a great device for education . All the information one requires is just a click away. Students can educate themselves on various topics using social media.

Moreover, live lectures are now possible because of social media. You can attend a lecture happening in America while sitting in India.

Furthermore, as more and more people are distancing themselves from newspapers, they are depending on social media for news. You are always updated on the latest happenings of the world through it. A person becomes more socially aware of the issues of the world.

In addition, it strengthens bonds with your loved ones. Distance is not a barrier anymore because of social media. For instance, you can easily communicate with your friends and relatives overseas.

Most importantly, it also provides a great platform for young budding artists to showcase their talent for free. You can get great opportunities for employment through social media too.

Another advantage definitely benefits companies who wish to promote their brands. Social media has become a hub for advertising and offers you great opportunities for connecting with the customer.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Social Media

Despite having such unique advantages, social media is considered to be one of the most harmful elements of society. If the use of social media is not monitored, it can lead to grave consequences.

Thus, the sharing on social media especially by children must be monitored at all times. Next up is the addition of social media which is quite common amongst the youth.

This addiction hampers with the academic performance of a student as they waste their time on social media instead of studying. Social media also creates communal rifts. Fake news is spread with the use of it, which poisons the mind of peace-loving citizens.

In short, surely social media has both advantages and disadvantages. But, it all depends on the user at the end. The youth must particularly create a balance between their academic performances, physical activities, and social media. Excess use of anything is harmful and the same thing applies to social media. Therefore, we must strive to live a satisfying life with the right balance.

FAQs on Social Media

Q.1 Is social media beneficial? If yes, then how?

A.1 Social media is quite beneficial. Social Media offers information, news, educational material, a platform for talented youth and brands.

Q.2 What is a disadvantage of Social Media?

A.2 Social media invades your privacy. It makes you addicted and causes health problems. It also results in cyberbullying and scams as well as communal hatred.

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2019 A-Level General Paper (GP) Paper 1 Essay Questions

We correctly predicted a huge number of essay questions that came up for A-Level GP 2019! Just check out our Instagram page @generalpaper to check out our highlight on this (where we show a story we posted before the A-Level paper, spotting the topics!)

Some of these questions came as no surprise, keeping in the Cambridge tradition of likely setting the exam two years before (or based on two years before)—considering the rise of Donald Trump, in particular—these were some questions we prepared our students for.

P.S. for other GP questions from other years, just enter https://GP.sg/ (followed by year number) —e.g. https://GP.sg/2022 ! We are still in process of adding these for all years, though!

The Complete List of GP Topics & Themes

Are you running out of time to prepare for your examples required for your GP essays? Are you looking to form an effective strategy to tackle your Paper1? if yes, read on and explore our recommended Thematic Essay Strategies (TES) on handling your essay paper.

1st, 12 questions will be set, of which you only answer one. This will allow GP essay exam candidates like you the chance to express an informed, critical, creative and relevant response.

Table of Contents

Most Common GP Topics for Essay Paper 1

The most common topics are: 1. Historical, social, cultural, economic, political and philosophical topics 2. Science including its history, philosophy, general principles, current developments and applications 3. Mathematical and geographical topics 4. Literature and language 5. Arts and crafts 6. Topics of local interest and global concern, as stated from the GP Syllabus (Code: 8807)

Now, the above topics is by no means exhaustive. We can easily go into subtopics for each of the main 6 topics. For example: under the General Paper topic of Literature and language, we can go deeper into Mass Media, , Music, Media, Film, etc. Or, under the topic of local interest and global concern, we can zoom into Singapore only, Gender (Women), Environmental (Animals, Water & the Sea, Land Use, Pollution), etc.

So you get the point, and that preparing by topics alone isn’t going to help a lot.

General Paper Themes for Essay Exams

What’s better than preparing by topics? Answer: You can prepare by GP themes! That is, by group several topics into a theme, you can more easily craft a relevant, creative and balanced response.

Below are sample essay questions inspired by the essay questions in this year’s prelim papers, as they have been modified. As promised, they are organised them into themes for your easy perusal and reference. The following themes are grouped and selected based on their frequency in the A Level GP exams as well as they broad enough to cover a variety of questions.

The major themes to focus on are:

a. Arts, Language & Mass Media b. Economic & Political Issues c. Science & Technology & Medicine d. Moral Dilemmas & Personal Experiences (aka Values, Philosophy or Individuals) e. Social & Economic issues f. Crime & Punishment g. General. 

In addition to grouping topics into themes for easier and effective preparation of your essay exam for GP, we can also prepare by question type. This involves your exam techniques and your experience of handling certain categories of exam questions. For example, the following list are common question types:

Type 1: Questions attempting to make a causal link between topics or themes

Some questions establish a relationship / / maybe even causality between two issues and hence you would need to identify that relationship and either agree with it or refute it. For such qu estions with 2 issues or subjects, the link between the two issues is the focus of the  essay. Do NOT have a separate discussion of the 2nd issue.

Examples: 1a: Technological advancements always bring about social equality. How far do you agree?  1b: he world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language.’ Discuss. 1c: How prepared are we for climate change? Discuss this for your country. 1d: Medical science has been so successful that people now expect too much of it.’ Comment. 1e: Advertisements are often entertaining, but they rarely affect consumer choice.’ Do you agree? 1f: Should poorer countries develop their tourist industry when the basic needs of their own people are not being met? 1g: ‘Instead of speeding up the pace of life, we should be slowing it down.’ What do you think?

Type 2: Questions that target … ‘in your country’…

2.1: Is there value to historic sites in your society? 2.2: How prepared are we for climate change? Discuss this for your country. 2.3: ‘Freedom of expression is a luxury we cannot afford.’ How far is this true in your society? 2.4: Choose a sport and account for its popularity in your country: Golf 2.5: Choose a sport and account for its popularity in your country: Tennis 2.6. Which period in the history of your country appeals most to you? Give reasons for your choice. 2.7: Would you plan the layout of your neighbourhood differently?

Type 3: Questions that require … ‘in your opinion’…

3.1: What do you consider is a meaningful life? 3.2; What do you consider to be a rich life? 3.3: “Give me the country life, any time.” Comment. 3.4: Discuss the benefits of keeping a diary? 3.5: What factors would you consider when choosing a job? 3.6: If you were asked to set up an exhibition, what would you choose to exhibit and why? 3.7: It is better to live a short, exciting life rather than a long, uninteresting one. How far is this true?  3.8 “Leisure activities are a necessity, not a luxury.” Do you agree? 3.9 “The place for animals is in the wild, not in zoos or circuses.” Comment.

Type 4: Knowledge-based Questions

Such questions assume that students have an in-depth knowledge of the characteristics of the topic areas to be discussed in the essay. These KBQ tend to add in absolute words such as : never, solely, only, always, etc. Hence, commonplace knowledge will allow you, the GP student to pass, but obviously reflects nothing more than mediocrity. Knowledge must be showcased not just through a range of evidence but also through the differing conclusions one con draw from the some piece of evidence.

Examples: 4.1: Can the trade in weapons ever be justified? 4.2: Is sport too closely linked with money these days? 4.3: Discuss the view that too much faith is placed in statistics.

4.4: To what extent are small businesses preferable to large ones? Inevitably this question appealed to candidates who studied Economics. but it also proved to be a discriminator in identifying candidates who could make effective use of their General Paper skills and those who merely regurgitated theoretical arguments and unexplained Economics jargon, such as ‘economies of scale’ and ‘merit goods”.

Abbreviated forms, such as SBEs (Small Business Enterprises) and MNCs (Multinational Corporations) were not uncommon. These must be explained. Furthermore, very tortuous attempts were often made in the introduction to define small and large businesses.

4.5: Can small countries have a significant voice in world affairs Focus on the following: Switzerland, Vatican City, Luxemburg & Singapore

4.6: Is effective farming possible without science? Candidates drew upon the distinction between subsistence farming and that which was more of an industry, often tailored to meet modern demands of population and choice. Similarly, there was an awareness of organic farming, with its benefits and drawbacks. A good range of examples was incorporated to illustrate the impact of science on agriculture: the development of seeds, fertilisers, alternative means of producing crops and so on.

Sample Set A Paper 1 for general paper (Essay Questions)

1. How far should the actions of leaders be determined by public opinion? (Political issue)

2. Which factors currently pose serious threats to the development of your country and which provide exciting opportunities? (Economic, Environmental, Social, Cultural, ‘In-Your-Country’, etc)

3. Why are increasing numbers of people turning to religion in both less developed and developed countries? (Social, Economic, etc)

4. Can we be too concerned about safety and hygiene? (Science, Environmental, etc)

5. In your opinion, are most scientific research is conducted in the wrong areas for the wrong reasons? (Science, Social, Economic, ‘In-Your-Opinion’,)

6. Has commercialism ruined film as an art form? (Mass media, Arts, Economic, ‘Causal-link’)

7. Do you agree that aid should never be given to countries with poor human rights records? (Global issue, Economic, Political, etc)

8. ‘Gambling is a vice which should never be condoned in any civilised society. What are your views? (Social, Economic, Philosophy)

9. “We are overfed with information, but starved of wisdom.” Is this a valid assessment of modern technology’s impact on mankind? (Technology, Mass Media, Social, etc)

10. “Education is the best vaccine for violence.” Do you agree? (Social, Arts, Language, Mass Media, etc)

11. Is the United Nations still a relevant organisation? (Global issue, politics, Economic, etc)

12. Does history really repeat itself? (History, Social, Environmental, Economics, Political, etc, aka General Question)

Sample Set B Paper 1 for general paper (Essay Questions)

1. Give the public what it wants.” How far should the media be guided by this motto? (Mass Media, Social, etc)

2.Why does children’s literature appeal to readers of all ages? (Social, Langauge, Economics, The Arts, etc)

3. Have ceremonies and rituals lost their meaning in your society? (Economic, Religion, Social, Cultural, ‘In-Your-Country’, etc)

4. “Along with great power comes great responsibility.” Discuss the relevance of this observation to the roles and responsibilities of scientists today. (Science, Social, Economic, etc,)

5. To what extent, if any, should works of art be subjected to censorship? (Social, Arts, Language, Mass Media, etc)

6. In your opinion, what can be done to make the citizens of your country more politically aware and active? (Political, Youth, Social, etc)

7. Is a world without poverty an impossible dream? (Global issue, Economic, Environmental, etc)

8. ”No pain, no gain.’ How far is this true of life in general? (Philosophy, Personal Experience, Value, Economic, Language, etc)

9. ‘Politics is the art of compromise.’ Discuss. (Political, Global, Regional & Local issues, Social, etc)

10. Do we place too much faith in technology? (Technology, Environmental, Science, Economics, etc)

11. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Comment on this assessment of the last century. (Political, Global, Regional & Local issues, Social, Economic, etc, aka General Question)

12. What purposes should prisons serve in an educated and enlightened society? (Social, Language, Crime, etc)

As you can see from the i) list of topics, ii) the combination of topics into themes, iii) the questions types, as well as the iv) sample question paper, the essay exam paper can be set in many ways.

So what’s your strategy? Our recommendation: prepare a bit of each!!

Specifically: make you you have solid content knowledge with relevant and updated examples on 2-3 TOPICS . In this way, in term so the content marks, you will score a high one. Next, make sure that the topics you pick they are bale to merge into further themes, so that no matter how the Cambridge examiners mix and match the topics, you have enough scope and depth to provide a sound, elaborate and balanced answer. Finally, do an extra preparation with one that targets just Singapore (“ in your country “) and/ or offers you the opportunity to go deep in your opinion . 

Need more help? Let our GP revision pack boost your score with lesser effort now. Click here to accelerate your GP success .

Happy revision!

GP Samples Essays – Moral Values & Truth

by ASH | Aug 22, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Moral Values & Truth? Are you going to prepare this sub-topic of social issues, philosophy, etc as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP examinations? A good choice, as this...

GP Samples Essays – Longevity & Health

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Longevity & Health? Are you going to prepare this sub-topic of Science & Technology, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP examinations.   We at Ace...

GP Samples Essays – Marriage & Women

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Marriage & Women? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP assessments? Bookmark this page, so that you...

GP Samples Essays – Women & Human Rights

by ASH | Aug 20, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Women & Human Rights? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, as well as Human Rights, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking...

GP Samples Essays – Moral Issues & Abortion

Searching for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Moral Issues & Abortion? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Social Issues, Roles of Women, as well as Human Rights, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for...

GP Samples Essays – Science & Health

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Science & Health? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Science & Technology, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for complete full length...

GP Model Essays – Film & Media

by ASH | Aug 11, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Looking for JC General Paper model essays on film and media? Are you trying to write full length answers for this GP topic, but has difficulties finding good real-life examples to apply for Film and Media? Use our well-written model essay for this GP topic on Film...

GP Samples Essays – Governance

by ASH | Aug 10, 2021 | GP Essay , GP Exam Skills

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Governance? Aiming to prepare this sub-topic of Political issues, Government, International Affairs, etc, as one of your main content topic for your upcoming GP exam, and is seeking for...

GP Model Essays – Sports

by ASH | Aug 10, 2021 | GP Essay

Have you been looking for good General Paper sample essays on the topic of Sports? Still need help to craft an answer that is at least 36 out of 50 marks? See more of our model Sports essay examples here.   Q1: Why do countries place so much emphasis on sport?...

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An NPR editor who wrote a critical essay on the company has resigned after being suspended

FILE - The headquarters for National Public Radio (NPR) stands on North Capitol Street on April 15, 2013, in Washington. A National Public Radio editor who wrote an essay criticizing his employer for promoting liberal reviews resigned on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, a day after it was revealed that he had been suspended. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

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NEW YORK (AP) — A National Public Radio editor who wrote an essay criticizing his employer for promoting liberal views resigned on Wednesday, attacking NPR’s new CEO on the way out.

Uri Berliner, a senior editor on NPR’s business desk, posted his resignation letter on X, formerly Twitter, a day after it was revealed that he had been suspended for five days for violating company rules about outside work done without permission.

“I cannot work in a newsroom where I am disparaged by a new CEO whose divisive views confirm the very problems” written about in his essay, Berliner said in his resignation letter.

Katherine Maher, a former tech executive appointed in January as NPR’s chief executive, has been criticized by conservative activists for social media messages that disparaged former President Donald Trump. The messages predated her hiring at NPR.

NPR’s public relations chief said the organization does not comment on individual personnel matters.

The suspension and subsequent resignation highlight the delicate balance that many U.S. news organizations and their editorial employees face. On one hand, as journalists striving to produce unbiased news, they’re not supposed to comment on contentious public issues; on the other, many journalists consider it their duty to critique their own organizations’ approaches to journalism when needed.

In his essay , written for the online Free Press site, Berliner said NPR is dominated by liberals and no longer has an open-minded spirit. He traced the change to coverage of Trump’s presidency.

“There’s an unspoken consensus about the stories we should pursue and how they should be framed,” he wrote. “It’s frictionless — one story after another about instances of supposed racism, transphobia, signs of the climate apocalypse, Israel doing something bad and the dire threat of Republican policies. It’s almost like an assembly line.”

He said he’d brought up his concerns internally and no changes had been made, making him “a visible wrong-thinker at a place I love.”

In the essay’s wake, NPR top editorial executive, Edith Chapin, said leadership strongly disagreed with Berliner’s assessment of the outlet’s journalism and the way it went about its work.

It’s not clear what Berliner was referring to when he talked about disparagement by Maher. In a lengthy memo to staff members last week, she wrote: “Asking a question about whether we’re living up to our mission should always be fair game: after all, journalism is nothing if not hard questions. Questioning whether our people are serving their mission with integrity, based on little more than the recognition of their identity, is profoundly disrespectful, hurtful and demeaning.”

Conservative activist Christopher Rufo revealed some of Maher’s past tweets after the essay was published. In one tweet, dated January 2018, Maher wrote that “Donald Trump is a racist.” A post just before the 2020 election pictured her in a Biden campaign hat.

In response, an NPR spokeswoman said Maher, years before she joined the radio network, was exercising her right to express herself. She is not involved in editorial decisions at NPR, the network said.

The issue is an example of what can happen when business executives, instead of journalists, are appointed to roles overseeing news organizations: they find themselves scrutinized for signs of bias in ways they hadn’t been before. Recently, NBC Universal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde has been criticized for service on paid corporate boards.

Maher is the former head of the Wikimedia Foundation. NPR’s own story about the 40-year-old executive’s appointment in January noted that she “has never worked directly in journalism or at a news organization.”

In his resignation letter, Berliner said that he did not support any efforts to strip NPR of public funding. “I respect the integrity of my colleagues and wish for NPR to thrive and do important journalism,” he wrote.

David Bauder writes about media for The Associated Press. Follow him at http://twitter.com/dbauder

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NPR in Turmoil After It Is Accused of Liberal Bias

An essay from an editor at the broadcaster has generated a firestorm of criticism about the network on social media, especially among conservatives.

By Benjamin Mullin and Katie Robertson

NPR is facing both internal tumult and a fusillade of attacks by prominent conservatives this week after a senior editor publicly claimed the broadcaster had allowed liberal bias to affect its coverage, risking its trust with audiences.

Uri Berliner, a senior business editor who has worked at NPR for 25 years, wrote in an essay published Tuesday by The Free Press, a popular Substack publication, that “people at every level of NPR have comfortably coalesced around the progressive worldview.”

Mr. Berliner, a Peabody Award-winning journalist, castigated NPR for what he said was a litany of journalistic missteps around coverage of several major news events, including the origins of Covid-19 and the war in Gaza. He also said the internal culture at NPR had placed race and identity as “paramount in nearly every aspect of the workplace.”

Mr. Berliner’s essay has ignited a firestorm of criticism of NPR on social media, especially among conservatives who have long accused the network of political bias in its reporting. Former President Donald J. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to argue that NPR’s government funding should be rescinded, an argument he has made in the past.

NPR has forcefully pushed back on Mr. Berliner’s accusations and the criticism.

“We’re proud to stand behind the exceptional work that our desks and shows do to cover a wide range of challenging stories,” Edith Chapin, the organization’s editor in chief, said in an email to staff on Tuesday. “We believe that inclusion — among our staff, with our sourcing, and in our overall coverage — is critical to telling the nuanced stories of this country and our world.” Some other NPR journalists also criticized the essay publicly, including Eric Deggans, its TV critic, who faulted Mr. Berliner for not giving NPR an opportunity to comment on the piece.

In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Berliner expressed no regrets about publishing the essay, saying he loved NPR and hoped to make it better by airing criticisms that have gone unheeded by leaders for years. He called NPR a “national trust” that people rely on for fair reporting and superb storytelling.

“I decided to go out and publish it in hopes that something would change, and that we get a broader conversation going about how the news is covered,” Mr. Berliner said.

He said he had not been disciplined by managers, though he said he had received a note from his supervisor reminding him that NPR requires employees to clear speaking appearances and media requests with standards and media relations. He said he didn’t run his remarks to The New York Times by network spokespeople.

When the hosts of NPR’s biggest shows, including “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” convened on Wednesday afternoon for a long-scheduled meet-and-greet with the network’s new chief executive, Katherine Maher , conversation soon turned to Mr. Berliner’s essay, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. During the lunch, Ms. Chapin told the hosts that she didn’t want Mr. Berliner to become a “martyr,” the people said.

Mr. Berliner’s essay also sent critical Slack messages whizzing through some of the same employee affinity groups focused on racial and sexual identity that he cited in his essay. In one group, several staff members disputed Mr. Berliner’s points about a lack of ideological diversity and said efforts to recruit more people of color would make NPR’s journalism better.

On Wednesday, staff members from “Morning Edition” convened to discuss the fallout from Mr. Berliner’s essay. During the meeting, an NPR producer took issue with Mr. Berliner’s argument for why NPR’s listenership has fallen off, describing a variety of factors that have contributed to the change.

Mr. Berliner’s remarks prompted vehement pushback from several news executives. Tony Cavin, NPR’s managing editor of standards and practices, said in an interview that he rejected all of Mr. Berliner’s claims of unfairness, adding that his remarks would probably make it harder for NPR journalists to do their jobs.

“The next time one of our people calls up a Republican congressman or something and tries to get an answer from them, they may well say, ‘Oh, I read these stories, you guys aren’t fair, so I’m not going to talk to you,’” Mr. Cavin said.

Some journalists have defended Mr. Berliner’s essay. Jeffrey A. Dvorkin, NPR’s former ombudsman, said Mr. Berliner was “not wrong” on social media. Chuck Holmes, a former managing editor at NPR, called Mr. Berliner’s essay “brave” on Facebook.

Mr. Berliner’s criticism was the latest salvo within NPR, which is no stranger to internal division. In October, Mr. Berliner took part in a lengthy debate over whether NPR should defer to language proposed by the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association while covering the conflict in Gaza.

“We don’t need to rely on an advocacy group’s guidance,” Mr. Berliner wrote, according to a copy of the email exchange viewed by The Times. “Our job is to seek out the facts and report them.” The debate didn’t change NPR’s language guidance, which is made by editors who weren’t part of the discussion. And in a statement on Thursday, the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association said it is a professional association for journalists, not a political advocacy group.

Mr. Berliner’s public criticism has highlighted broader concerns within NPR about the public broadcaster’s mission amid continued financial struggles. Last year, NPR cut 10 percent of its staff and canceled four podcasts, including the popular “Invisibilia,” as it tried to make up for a $30 million budget shortfall. Listeners have drifted away from traditional radio to podcasts, and the advertising market has been unsteady.

In his essay, Mr. Berliner laid some of the blame at the feet of NPR’s former chief executive, John Lansing, who said he was retiring at the end of last year after four years in the role. He was replaced by Ms. Maher, who started on March 25.

During a meeting with employees in her first week, Ms. Maher was asked what she thought about decisions to give a platform to political figures like Ronna McDaniel, the former Republican Party chair whose position as a political analyst at NBC News became untenable after an on-air revolt from hosts who criticized her efforts to undermine the 2020 election.

“I think that this conversation has been one that does not have an easy answer,” Ms. Maher responded.

Benjamin Mullin reports on the major companies behind news and entertainment. Contact Ben securely on Signal at +1 530-961-3223 or email at [email protected] . More about Benjamin Mullin

Katie Robertson covers the media industry for The Times. Email:  [email protected]   More about Katie Robertson

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NPR suspends veteran editor as it grapples with his public criticism

David Folkenflik

NPR suspended senior editor Uri Berliner for five days without pay after he wrote an essay accusing the network of losing the public's trust and appeared on a podcast to explain his argument. Uri Berliner hide caption

NPR suspended senior editor Uri Berliner for five days without pay after he wrote an essay accusing the network of losing the public's trust and appeared on a podcast to explain his argument.

NPR has formally punished Uri Berliner, the senior editor who publicly argued a week ago that the network had "lost America's trust" by approaching news stories with a rigidly progressive mindset.

Berliner's five-day suspension without pay, which began last Friday, has not been previously reported.

Yet the public radio network is grappling in other ways with the fallout from Berliner's essay for the online news site The Free Press . It angered many of his colleagues, led NPR leaders to announce monthly internal reviews of the network's coverage, and gave fresh ammunition to conservative and partisan Republican critics of NPR, including former President Donald Trump.

Conservative activist Christopher Rufo is among those now targeting NPR's new chief executive, Katherine Maher, for messages she posted to social media years before joining the network. Among others, those posts include a 2020 tweet that called Trump racist and another that appeared to minimize rioting during social justice protests that year. Maher took the job at NPR last month — her first at a news organization .

In a statement Monday about the messages she had posted, Maher praised the integrity of NPR's journalists and underscored the independence of their reporting.

"In America everyone is entitled to free speech as a private citizen," she said. "What matters is NPR's work and my commitment as its CEO: public service, editorial independence, and the mission to serve all of the American public. NPR is independent, beholden to no party, and without commercial interests."

The network noted that "the CEO is not involved in editorial decisions."

In an interview with me later on Monday, Berliner said the social media posts demonstrated Maher was all but incapable of being the person best poised to direct the organization.

"We're looking for a leader right now who's going to be unifying and bring more people into the tent and have a broader perspective on, sort of, what America is all about," Berliner said. "And this seems to be the opposite of that."

Conservative critics of NPR are now targeting its new chief executive, Katherine Maher, for messages she posted to social media years before joining the public radio network last month. Stephen Voss/Stephen Voss hide caption

Conservative critics of NPR are now targeting its new chief executive, Katherine Maher, for messages she posted to social media years before joining the public radio network last month.

He said that he tried repeatedly to make his concerns over NPR's coverage known to news leaders and to Maher's predecessor as chief executive before publishing his essay.

Berliner has singled out coverage of several issues dominating the 2020s for criticism, including trans rights, the Israel-Hamas war and COVID. Berliner says he sees the same problems at other news organizations, but argues NPR, as a mission-driven institution, has a greater obligation to fairness.

"I love NPR and feel it's a national trust," Berliner says. "We have great journalists here. If they shed their opinions and did the great journalism they're capable of, this would be a much more interesting and fulfilling organization for our listeners."

A "final warning"

The circumstances surrounding the interview were singular.

Berliner provided me with a copy of the formal rebuke to review. NPR did not confirm or comment upon his suspension for this article.

In presenting Berliner's suspension Thursday afternoon, the organization told the editor he had failed to secure its approval for outside work for other news outlets, as is required of NPR journalists. It called the letter a "final warning," saying Berliner would be fired if he violated NPR's policy again. Berliner is a dues-paying member of NPR's newsroom union but says he is not appealing the punishment.

The Free Press is a site that has become a haven for journalists who believe that mainstream media outlets have become too liberal. In addition to his essay, Berliner appeared in an episode of its podcast Honestly with Bari Weiss.

A few hours after the essay appeared online, NPR chief business editor Pallavi Gogoi reminded Berliner of the requirement that he secure approval before appearing in outside press, according to a copy of the note provided by Berliner.

In its formal rebuke, NPR did not cite Berliner's appearance on Chris Cuomo's NewsNation program last Tuesday night, for which NPR gave him the green light. (NPR's chief communications officer told Berliner to focus on his own experience and not share proprietary information.) The NPR letter also did not cite his remarks to The New York Times , which ran its article mid-afternoon Thursday, shortly before the reprimand was sent. Berliner says he did not seek approval before talking with the Times .

NPR defends its journalism after senior editor says it has lost the public's trust

Berliner says he did not get permission from NPR to speak with me for this story but that he was not worried about the consequences: "Talking to an NPR journalist and being fired for that would be extraordinary, I think."

Berliner is a member of NPR's business desk, as am I, and he has helped to edit many of my stories. He had no involvement in the preparation of this article and did not see it before it was posted publicly.

In rebuking Berliner, NPR said he had also publicly released proprietary information about audience demographics, which it considers confidential. He said those figures "were essentially marketing material. If they had been really good, they probably would have distributed them and sent them out to the world."

Feelings of anger and betrayal inside the newsroom

His essay and subsequent public remarks stirred deep anger and dismay within NPR. Colleagues contend Berliner cherry-picked examples to fit his arguments and challenge the accuracy of his accounts. They also note he did not seek comment from the journalists involved in the work he cited.

Morning Edition host Michel Martin told me some colleagues at the network share Berliner's concerns that coverage is frequently presented through an ideological or idealistic prism that can alienate listeners.

"The way to address that is through training and mentorship," says Martin, herself a veteran of nearly two decades at the network who has also reported for The Wall Street Journal and ABC News. "It's not by blowing the place up, by trashing your colleagues, in full view of people who don't really care about it anyway."

Several NPR journalists told me they are no longer willing to work with Berliner as they no longer have confidence that he will keep private their internal musings about stories as they work through coverage.

"Newsrooms run on trust," NPR political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben tweeted last week, without mentioning Berliner by name. "If you violate everyone's trust by going to another outlet and sh--ing on your colleagues (while doing a bad job journalistically, for that matter), I don't know how you do your job now."

Berliner rejected that critique, saying nothing in his essay or subsequent remarks betrayed private observations or arguments about coverage.

Other newsrooms are also grappling with questions over news judgment and confidentiality. On Monday, New York Times Executive Editor Joseph Kahn announced to his staff that the newspaper's inquiry into who leaked internal dissent over a planned episode of its podcast The Daily to another news outlet proved inconclusive. The episode was to focus on a December report on the use of sexual assault as part of the Hamas attack on Israel in October. Audio staffers aired doubts over how well the reporting stood up to scrutiny.

"We work together with trust and collegiality everyday on everything we produce, and I have every expectation that this incident will prove to be a singular exception to an important rule," Kahn wrote to Times staffers.

At NPR, some of Berliner's colleagues have weighed in online against his claim that the network has focused on diversifying its workforce without a concomitant commitment to diversity of viewpoint. Recently retired Chief Executive John Lansing has referred to this pursuit of diversity within NPR's workforce as its " North Star ," a moral imperative and chief business strategy.

In his essay, Berliner tagged the strategy as a failure, citing the drop in NPR's broadcast audiences and its struggle to attract more Black and Latino listeners in particular.

"During most of my tenure here, an open-minded, curious culture prevailed. We were nerdy, but not knee-jerk, activist, or scolding," Berliner writes. "In recent years, however, that has changed."

Berliner writes, "For NPR, which purports to consider all things, it's devastating both for its journalism and its business model."

NPR investigative reporter Chiara Eisner wrote in a comment for this story: "Minorities do not all think the same and do not report the same. Good reporters and editors should know that by now. It's embarrassing to me as a reporter at NPR that a senior editor here missed that point in 2024."

Some colleagues drafted a letter to Maher and NPR's chief news executive, Edith Chapin, seeking greater clarity on NPR's standards for its coverage and the behavior of its journalists — clearly pointed at Berliner.

A plan for "healthy discussion"

On Friday, CEO Maher stood up for the network's mission and the journalism, taking issue with Berliner's critique, though never mentioning him by name. Among her chief issues, she said Berliner's essay offered "a criticism of our people on the basis of who we are."

Berliner took great exception to that, saying she had denigrated him. He said that he supported diversifying NPR's workforce to look more like the U.S. population at large. She did not address that in a subsequent private exchange he shared with me for this story. (An NPR spokesperson declined further comment.)

Late Monday afternoon, Chapin announced to the newsroom that Executive Editor Eva Rodriguez would lead monthly meetings to review coverage.

"Among the questions we'll ask of ourselves each month: Did we capture the diversity of this country — racial, ethnic, religious, economic, political geographic, etc — in all of its complexity and in a way that helped listeners and readers recognize themselves and their communities?" Chapin wrote in the memo. "Did we offer coverage that helped them understand — even if just a bit better — those neighbors with whom they share little in common?"

Berliner said he welcomed the announcement but would withhold judgment until those meetings played out.

In a text for this story, Chapin said such sessions had been discussed since Lansing unified the news and programming divisions under her acting leadership last year.

"Now seemed [the] time to deliver if we were going to do it," Chapin said. "Healthy discussion is something we need more of."

Disclosure: This story was reported and written by NPR Media Correspondent David Folkenflik and edited by Deputy Business Editor Emily Kopp and Managing Editor Gerry Holmes. Under NPR's protocol for reporting on itself, no NPR corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted publicly.

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