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Deceptive news lessons
In the era of the fight against fake news, we believe journalists must be aware of the social climate surrounding the work they do. The attacks and delegitimization of the news media on a national scale shouldn’t make us question the work we do. We must be able to educate ourselves and our audiences about…
Tools of Truth landing page
In the era of the fight against fake news, we believe journalists must be aware of the social climate surrounding the work they do. The attacks and delegitimization of the news media on a national scale shouldn’t make us question the work we do. We must be able to educate ourselves and our audiences about…
Solutions journalism in student publications
by Kristin Taylor Title Solutions journalism in student publications Description Critics accuse the news media of only reporting bad news, but journalists must investigate and report on problems. One alternative to reporting solely on the problem is to report on how people and communities are seeking to solve those problems. This form of investigative journalism…
Self-censorship examination
by Lori Keekley Title Self-censorship examination Description This lesson examines the self-censorship on the individual level. The lesson starts by providing a prompt in which students examine what they would like to cover, but feel they can’t for some reason. Discussion addresses why this self-censorship exists and examines whether this self-censorship should be abandoned. …
How the media frame the news
and what journalists should consider
by Maggie Cogar Title How the media frame the news and what journalists should consider *The lesson plan “How people interpret the news and why it matters” is meant to be used before this lesson. It will help give students a background on news interpretation and processing before moving on to news framing and effects….
How well can your students
recognize sponsored content?
by John Bowen Title How well can your students recognize sponsored content? Description — third in the sequence Because of the rapid spread of sponsored content, students may have to decide whether to accept sponsored content in their student media. How well can they recognize it and what would they do once they recognize it?…
Journalists as professional skeptics
by Kristin Taylor Title: Journalists as Professional Skeptics Description The first lesson explores ethical decision-making about what to publish and the importance of verification in that process. It is a case study that puts students in the role of an editor as they walk through a hypothetical story pitch and consequences of publishing an unverified…
Satire is hard
by Jeff Kocur Title Satire is hard Description Students are funny. Students are smart. But are they smart enough to be funny with satire in a way that advances the journalistic goals of the publication? Can they do it without violating the SPJ ethical guidelines or their own publications’ ethical guidelines? Use this lesson to…
Satire in your publications:
Who is the joke really on?
by Jeff Kocur Title Satire in your publications: Who is the joke really on? Description Students think of themselves as smart and funny, but does that mean they can handle satire? Satire opens students up to many legal risks including libel and invasion of privacy. Use this activity to explore some of the pitfalls of…
Satire’s role in current events
by Michael Johnson Title Satire’s role in current events Description According to Wyatt Mason in an online article published in the New York Times Magazine titled “My Satirical Self,” readers in the 21st century have “taken shelter in the ridiculous.” He provides an excerpt from The Onion, a satirical online news source referenced as “America’s…
Propaganda
by Michael Johnson Title Propaganda Description In this lesson, students explore propaganda techniques, and discuss how they are the targets of advertisers and politicians. Students will understand and identify how propaganda techniques are used to influence them into doing, feeling and believing a message that may or may not be of benefit to them. Students…
What are native ads and sponsored content
and what issues do they raise?
by John Bowen Title What are native advertising and sponsored content and what issues do they raise? Description — first in a sequence Questions of fake news and disinformation arise almost daily. Citizens also face information spread by sponsored content, an approach to storytelling designed to bring needed revenue to news media. The trouble is…