Young journalists investigate the various ways to share news about a disaster and evaluate the pros and cons of each of these types of news. Individuals then select two different forms of media reports of a recent disaster. Using the...

Ever seen the labels "sponsored content," "native advertising," "advertorial," "paid post," "#ad," or "#sponsored?" If so, then you are looking at advertisements that are designed to appear as news stories. Learn how to tell the...

Young journalists use a "Is This Story Share-Worthy?" flowchart graphic to decide whether a story is worth sharing online. Instructors provide groups with fake news, poor quality stories, opinion pieces, biased news, and high-quality...

Not all southern newspapers covered the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Young journalists investigate how The Lexington (Ky. Herald-Leader and The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun re-examined their coverage of the movement. After...

Provenance, source, date, location, and motivation. High schoolers learn how to verify the authenticity of news stories and posts by following a seven-step process. They then use the strategy to determine the original site that posted a...

Students learn about the guiding ethical principles of professional journalists, evaluate hypothetical dilemmas and determine if these stories should "go to press", and determine how to frame a story and when/where to report it.

Students research the case of Matthew Cooper and Judith Miller, two reporters found in contempt of court for failing to divulge their sources. They participate in a mock trial as they consider the case from various points of view.

In this American judicial terms worksheet, students examine their knowledge through ten fill in the blank questions that relate to the aforementioned topic.

As part of their continued investigation of the reporting of the shooting of Michael Brown class members analyze photos of Michael Brown and the social media response to these images. The class then develops a guide they...

Learners discover how to find authoritative resources. In this research skills lesson, students examine strategies for using the Internet effectively to research global development issues.

Students learn about the basic legal and ethical responsibilities shouldered by people making "reality" videos (i.e. videos with non-actors).

Students use a model to illustrate the spread of HIV through an adolescent population and, acting in the role of epidemiologists, explore the dilemmas of HIV infection presented by the simulation. beneficence and justice.

Students examine the reasons why reporters do not report all they know about a given event. They identify basic journalist ethics at stake when a story isn't reported. They compare these issues with those in their local community.

Students investigate copyright violation laws.  In this media copyright lesson, students read two articles that discuss copyright laws, then they develop their own perspective on the laws.  Students then divide into small...

Students study character traits. In this character education lesson, students create podcasts highlighting a particular character trait. Students broadcast one podcast per week.

Pupils study climate change and the arguments of scientists that it exists.  In this climate change lesson students complete a class activity and answer questions.  

Students investigate the lure of snack-food advertisements to explain how snacks can fit into a healthy diet.

Students are introduced to the concept of news/media bias from region to region. Upon reading differing articles, students answer source questions on the structure/content of each article.

This lesson explores the Jayson Blair story and other cases where journalists have breached the code of ethics in their efforts to get the story out. Students will examine the journalism code of ethics and its importance. They will view...

A lesson to help students understand the basic legal and ethical responsibilities involved in making reality videos. Requires access to an episode from "American High," the documentary aired on PBS about high school students from Chicago.

Assess a lesson plan that revolves around the role of journalists in a democracy, especially considering the challenges and ethics of reporting from a war zone. Should broaden student understanding of Thomas Jefferson's ideal of an...

What kind of principles do reporters adhere to when deciding what to report? This lesson takes a closer look at a piece written to the New York Times regarding the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein's Regime in Iraq.

Read about George Seldes (1890-1995), a muckraker and press critic. Read some of his writings from his column "In Fact." Read his autobiography and a brief biography. There are links to other sites about George Seldes. Site by Brass Check.

This site provides a brief definition of libel and slander.