Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the option that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 18 to 22.

        Journalism plays a vital role in shaping public opinion and holding power to account. (18) _______. By investigating complex issues and presenting verified facts, journalists help citizens make informed decisions about their communities and governments. In many societies, access to independent reporting is considered a cornerstone of democracy. (19) _______. When journalists face censorship or intimidation, the flow of reliable information is disrupted, leaving room for misinformation to spread. (20) _______. This is especially dangerous during elections or public health crises, when accurate reporting can influence outcomes and save lives. (21) _______. If news organizations had stronger protections and funding, they might be able to resist external pressures more effectively. (22) _______. As digital platforms evolve, journalism must adapt to new formats while preserving its commitment to truth and accountability.

(Adapted from https://mediahelpingmedia.org/advanced/the-essential-role-of-journalism/)

Question 18. A. Journalists often work extended hours to gather evidence, striving to uncover stories that significantly impact public life

B. Reporters frequently dedicate considerable time to collecting information, attempting to reveal narratives that substantially affect society

C. Correspondents regularly invest lengthy periods in accumulating data, seeking to expose accounts that markedly influence civic affairs

D. Media professionals commonly spend substantial time compiling facts, endeavoring to discover stories that notably shape public discourse

Question 19. A. For example, corruption, environmental abuse, and systematic human rights violations have been exposed by investigative journalism

B. For instance, malfeasance, ecological damage, and persistent civil liberties transgressions have been revealed through in-depth reporting

C. As illustration, misconduct, environmental degradation, and ongoing rights infringements have been uncovered via comprehensive inquiry

D. To illustrate, wrongdoing, natural resource exploitation, and continued freedom violations have been disclosed through thorough investigation 

Question 20. A. Such disruptions can gradually erode public trust and progressively weaken democratic institutions over time

B. These interferences may slowly undermine civic confidence and increasingly compromise democratic structures gradually

C. Such impediments might steadily diminish public faith and progressively damage democratic frameworks eventually

D. These obstacles could incrementally reduce societal trust and continuously deteriorate democratic mechanisms ultimately

Question 21. A. Were journalists to have ignored whistleblower testimonies, major scandals might have remained concealed from public scrutiny

B. Should reporters have disregarded insider accounts, significant controversies could have stayed hidden from public awareness

C. Were correspondents to have overlooked informant revelations, substantial scandals may have continued undetected by society

D. Should media professionals have dismissed source disclosures, important improprieties might have remained undiscovered publicly

Question 22. A. While some outlets prioritize speed, others emphasize accuracy and contextual depth to maintain editorial integrity

B. Whereas certain organizations value immediacy, alternative sources stress precision and comprehensive analysis to preserve journalistic standards

C. Although particular platforms favor rapidity, other media focus on correctness and thorough context to sustain professional credibility

D. While specific news sources prize timeliness, different outlets emphasize truthfulness and detailed background to uphold reporting quality