WHY NEWS MATTERS
Description Using historical documents and news coverage, this lesson explores the role of news in a democracy, and the role journalists play in helping citizens to be active, informed, and engaged. By understanding the societal obligations that underpin journalism, you will have a greater appreciation for why news literacy is important.
Objectives • I will be able to understand key social and political movements in which the news media was a vital force. • I will consider the journalist’s role in shaping history. • I will analyze how certain events might have unfolded differently if the news media were more or less engaged in the issue. • I will evaluate how consuming news media helps keep them informed on local/national events. Resources Slideshow: News covers history as PDF Rubric: Why news matters
Lesson step-by-step 1. Introduction Read and think about the following quote:
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”– Thomas Jefferson
What do you think Thomas Jefferson might have meant by this quote? Consider these questions:
• How does freedom of the press, or the ability for journalists to write without being censored, help keep us free? • How important do you think this freedom is? • Why might people, especially in the government, want to control what journalists write about? Remember:
The founding fathers, especially those in favor of the Bill of Rights, though it was especially important to protect the freedom to publish. They thought the government shouldn’t be able to control what was printed and what wasn’t. Most of all, they were afraid that if the press wasn’t protected (along with religion, petition, speech, and assembly), the citizens of the new America wouldn’t be able to fully express themselves. Sometimes, things that are printed make the government, a business, or people look bad—journalists tend to shed light on things that aren’t working, or things that need to be better in society. At times, this can make readers or the subjects of stories uncomfortable or even offended. But ultimately, informing people about what is truly happening is the journalist’s highest goal.
2. Context and examples: You are going to look at some examples of how journalists have written about important events in American and World History. These events all relate to major issues our country was facing, including the Civil Rights movement and wars abroad. As you look through the examples in the PDF, pause and think about the coverage and about what role you think the news media had in informing the public about these moments in history. Ask yourself questions like:
• Is this an issue you’re interested in? • Would you want to read about this? • Would you seek out this kind of information on your own? • To what extent would you depend on the news media to tell you about stories like this? • Where else do you think we would get this kind of information if not from journalists?
As you already know, we, as citizens, can’t be everywhere all the time (would you want to sit in Congress every day and take notes on what our politicians do?!), journalists are tasked with doing that for us.
3. Watch and respond: Now, on the internet or your television watch a 5-10 minutes of a local or national evening news segment. Be sure the segment is mostly news and not sports or entertainment. As you watch, you should keep a list of the things you learned about what’s going on through the news stories. You should list at least 3-5 things you learned from the newscast. The point is this is an example of how the news acts as a teacher for us, pointing out things we need to know in order to be fully aware of the important events happening in the world around us.
4. Individual response: I would like you to compile a list of stories, happening today, that are really important to you for whatever reason. Once you have identified a few examples, write the reasons why they are important to you.
5. Extension Activity: student prompt and response (See Rubric for guidance): Please type or write two paragraphs addressing the following:
Consider this quote by James Madison when talking about the role of the press: “The great danger [in a republic] is that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.”
Write a response to this quote, and consider the following questions:
1. If we apply this quote to the news media, how can journalists use this philosophy to help protect the rights of the minority? 2. What can this quote tell us about the diversity of voices, stories, and perspectives we should expect from our news media? 3. Give examples to support your argument.
Why News Matters Short Answer Rubric I Got This! I Am ALMOST There. I THINK I Am Getting the Idea.
Argument The student expresses a clear The student’s position is The student’s position is unclear, and the position on how this quote clear but demonstrates only student fails to demonstrate any describes the role of journalism a surface-level understanding of the quote’s meaning or today. Their response is well- understanding of what the application to journalism. worded and demonstrates a quote and how it applies to thoughtful understanding of journalism. what James Madison intended.
Examples The student gives 2-3 The student gives only 1 The student gives no examples from examples from current local or example from current local current local or national news events that national news events that or national news events that support their position. support their position. support their position.
Clarity/Grammar Writing is clear, concise, and Writing is understandable Writing is unclear, lacks logical flow and flows well. Zero to two errors in but lacks coherent structure, and has no organization of grammar or punctuation. organization. Three to four thoughts. More than four errors in errors in grammar or grammar or punctuation. punctuation.