Set product update for GCSE Media Studies
25 February 2026
This update was first published on 20 February 2025.
On 24 June 2025, we confirmed the GCSE Media Studies (J200/02) set product material for first teach September 2025. On 2 September 2025, we published the updated specification. We've now published the updated sample assessment materials – please see below for details.
In December 2024, Tortoise Media announced it had bought The Observer from The Guardian Media Group and The Scott Trust (GMG/Scott Trust).
As a set media product for our GCSE Media Studies J200/02: Music and News, we confirm the teaching arrangements below.
June 2026 exam series
For the June 2026 exam series, the unseen extracts will be taken from The Observer before its sale. We therefore recommend these students are familiar with the Observer’s media material whilst under its previous ownership, ‘GMG/Scott Trust’.
Candidates will still be credited for referring to the ownership of The Observer as ‘GMG/Scott Trust’ in the June 2026 assessments.
First teach September 2025
From first teach September 2025, we confirm teachers can use the materials from Tortoise Media for The Observer to teach the Music and News component (J200/02). First assessment will take place in June 2027 for this set product material.
Online set product links
Tortoise Media has launched a new website and social media feeds for The Observer. You can view the online set product at: https://observer.co.uk/.
The social and participatory set media products are available at:
To reflect the details above, we have updated the specification for GCSE Media Studies which you can download from the qualification page on our website and Teach Cambridge.
Please make sure you're using the latest specification with your students.
Updated sample assessment materials now available
To reflect the set media product changes for GCSE Media Studies J200/02: Music and News, we have updated our sample assessment materials.
For Section B: News, we have removed the unseen source from The Observer section of The Guardian website and replaced it with three posts from The Observer’s Instagram feed. We have also updated the indicative content in the mark scheme accordingly.
You can view and download the updated sample question paper and sample assessment insert from:
- the Assessment > Sample assessment materials section of the GCSE Media Studies qualification page of our website
- the Assessment > Exams > Sample assessment materials section of Teach Cambridge.
If you have any queries about this update, please call our Customer Support Centre on 01223 553998 or email us at media@ocr.org.uk.
Qualification