---
title: "Parties, Interest Groups and the Media"
description: "Who tries to shape public decisions besides officials: political parties bundle ideas and candidates; interest groups and charities push causes; journalists inform and scrutinise; citizens weigh what "
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/civics-and-economics/parties-interest-groups-and-the-media-mt_Eb9SeGnavc
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/civics-and-economics/parties-interest-groups-and-the-media-mt_Eb9SeGnavc.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Parties, Interest Groups and the Media

Who tries to shape public decisions besides officials: political parties bundle ideas and candidates; interest groups and charities push causes; journalists inform and scrutinise; citizens weigh what each says and wants

Subject: Civics & Economics · Area: Government · Ages 11 to 14
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/civics-and-economics/parties-interest-groups-and-the-media-mt_Eb9SeGnavc

## Ready when they can

- Explain what a political party is and why candidates join one (shared ideas, shared support)
- Identify who is trying to persuade in a news story or campaign ad, and what they want
- Describe how the media can hold powerful people to account (e.g., reporting on a broken promise)

## Lesson: Parties, Interest Groups and the Media

Elected officials are not the only ones trying to shape big decisions. Political parties, interest groups, and journalists all try to get your attention too, and each one wants something a little different.

A political party is a group of people who share many of the same ideas about how government should work. A candidate joins a party to get help: money for a campaign, volunteers, and voters who already agree with them. An interest group is different: it pushes one cause and does not run its own candidates.

*(drawing: Each voice wants something different. Yours is the one that decides.)*

**Example.** A town is debating whether to close a park to build a parking lot. A group called Save Our Park runs ads urging people to vote no, because they want to protect the green space. A local reporter interviews people on both sides and checks whether the council's traffic numbers are correct. The group wants to persuade you. The reporter wants to inform you. Showing a broken promise holds the official accountable. A group praising itself is not independent, so it cannot hold power accountable.

**Tip.** When you see a campaign ad or a news story, ask two questions: who made this, and what do they want from me? A group asking for your vote or your support is persuading. A reporter checking facts is informing.

**Recap.** Parties bundle ideas and candidates, interest groups push single causes, and journalists check power, so weigh what each one wants before you decide.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Levels and Branches of Government](https://lightmysky.com/learn/civics-and-economics/levels-and-branches-of-government-mt_kbdfkqinc_)

## Opens up

- [Campaigns, Money and the Media](https://lightmysky.com/learn/civics-and-economics/campaigns-money-and-the-media-mt_uBWxmdMU2d)