Work in pairs. Change roles and partners . Make use of the conversation patterns.

As a spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Information: protest about biased reporting, if necessary make a hint that similar incidents might affect good relation between our countries.

As a representative of the British embassy: stress the independence of the BBC, underline that the issues covered were all newsworthy.

Useful phrases

To express your views emphatically

1. I particularly want to emphasize the fact that…

2. It is essential to realize that…

3. This issue is highly significant.

4. I feel this is a vital issue.

5. I consider the point of the utmost importance.

 

To challenge

1. I wonder if this view is justified in the light of…
2. I don’t think you fully appreciate the fact that…
3. It would be in your own interest to…
4. I would be inclined to … if I were you.

 

To interrupt

1. May I interrupt you for a moment?

2. Sorry to interrupt but ...

3. If I may just interrupt you for a moment, I'd like to ...

4. I don't want to interrupt but ...

To come back to a point

1. As I was saying ...

2. Coming back to what I was saying...

3. Perhaps I could resume ...

4. If I may just go back to the point I was making ...

Preventing an interruption

1. Perhaps I could return to that point later on ...

2. If I might just finish...

3. With your permission I'd rather finish what I was saying...

4. With respect, I should like to finish the point I was making...

Offering a compromise

1. We are prepared to ... on condition that...

2. I think we could ... provided that...

3. We are ready to ... on the understanding that...

4. We are more than willing to ... as long as ...

Accepting a compromise

1. I think that would be perfectly acceptable.

2. We see no objection to that.

3. That seems to be a reasonable compromise.

4. To meet you halfway on this, I think we could agree to your condition.

Rejecting a compromise

1. We are not entirely convinced that this is a viable solution to the problem.

2. You leave us with little alternative but to ...

3. In that case, we should very reluctantly have to…

4. You put us in a difficult position.

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION

Get ready to discuss the problem of censorship at a round-table conference. Distribute the roles among the participants and do not forget about the role of the chairperson.

Chairperson

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I now declare open the round table devoted to the subject "Cen­sorship in the mass media".

On behalf of the University allow me to express our great appre­ciation for your presence here today and for the contributions you are ready to make to the coming discussion. The questions to be debated today are highly controversial and allow for a variety of opinions. Yet, all those who assembled here today feel that the young generation needs to know the an­swers. The questions are as follows:

1. Is there a place for censorship in a democratic society?
2. What kind of information is to be censored? Who should decide what to censor?

I propose a time limit on statement of position of 2 minutes and one minute for all other speakers during the debate. Is that agreed? Thank you.

Will participants please identify themselves clearly to the Chair if they wish to speak or ask a question.

 I call Mr. ...

Mr. ..., thank you for that stimulating speech.

 I now welcome Mr. ... Mr. ..., you have the floor.

May I remind the participants please to identify themselves clearly to the Chair if they wish to ask a question or make an objection. Does anyone else wish to speak?

We can't all speak at once; Mr. ... Would you like to speak first?

1 shall have to call you to order Mr. ...

To sum up our discussion today, it seems we all agreed that... I declare the discussion closed. Thank you Ladies and Gentle­men.

This is your role and stance. Think of three or four argumentsor examples to substantiate and illustrate it. Get ready to de­fend it against criticism.

CENSORSHIP

Representative of the Ministry of Information — "Censor­ship does not confine democracy but prevents chaos".

Actress — "We are human beings like everyone else and have the right to privacy. Seeking for a scoop drives journalists and paparazzi crazy and they have to be restrained".

Politician — "Reports from parliamentary sessions must be cen­sored as indiscreet coverage may undermine the trust of the public in social institutions".

Journalist — "Celebrities have no right to hide behind censor­ship. They serve as role models for other people and should be open to public scrutiny".

Civil Rights Activist — "Censorship is a violation of human rights as it deprives an individual of a chance to decide what to read or watch".

Liberal — "Community that puts up with censorship lacks self-respect".

Advertiser — "Censorship of advertising violates the rules of "fair play" in the free market economy. Besides, without our money the mass media will go bust".

Editor — "The public have the right to know and journalists are obliged to report events. People working in the media are reasonable and self-restriction is enough".

Teacher — "The young who cannot yet distinguish between what is right and what is wrong suffer the most at the hand of irresponsible media. Censorship is called upon to protect the immature from corruption".

Feminist — "Though compared to the past job opportunities and education opportunities for women have somewhat im­proved, the way women are shown in magazines and on TV still leaves much to be desired. Editors and producers should be either censored or fined for undeferential treatment of women in the media".

War veteran — "Pro-fascist propaganda, programmes and arti­cles that may incite racial or national strife should be banned".

Doctor — "Many newspapers and fashion magazines promote an unhealthy image of beauty, which is the cause of many eating disorders and anorexia cases especially among young women. Such publications and advertisements should be cen­sored".

Student — "Because of censorship many important issues re­main unavailable to the general public while the aim of the media is to inform".

Preacher — "Censorship helps to suppress evil. It serves to pro­tect our life from exposure to sin: pornography, violence and heresy".

⇐ Предыдущая12345678910Следующая ⇒

Поделиться: