Freedom of the Press

A press that is free to investigate and criticize the government is absolutely essential in a nation that practices self-government and is therefore dependent on an educated and enlightened citizenry.

Who said this?      Why is The Press Important?

 

On the other hand, newspapers too often take advantage of their freedom and publish lies and scurrilous gossip that could only deceive and mislead the people. Jefferson himself suffered greatly under the latter kind of press during his presidency. But he was a great believer in the ultimate triumph of truth in the free marketplace of ideas, and looked to that for his final vindication.

1) How is our Freedom of Press essential to our Democracy?

2) What does the 1st amendment say about Freeodom of Press?

3) In what ways is our Freedom of Press unique?

4) In what ways has the Press been limited throughout our History?

5) What were the 'Pentagon Papers' and how did they challenge the 1st Amendment?

Is the Smithsonian Too Woke?

  

He’s renamed a body of water and a mountain. He put himself at the top of the Kennedy Center. Now, President Donald Trump wants to put his stamp on the Smithsonian Institution and make its museums less “woke.”

"The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been," Trump said in a recent social media post.

The Smithsonian oversees 21 museums and libraries, the National Zoo as well as research and education centers around the country.

NPR's Steve Inskeep visits the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History ahead of what the Trump administration says will be a systematic review of "divisive or partisan narratives."

1) What institution did President Trump describe as "out of control" and why?Who is Peniel Joseph, and what is his background?

2) How does Joseph argue that the fight over history in museums is part of a struggle that goes back generations?

3) What argument are people making to defend slavery, according to host Amna Nawaz?

Why does Joseph compare this current moment to the McCarthy era?

4) How do you think the exhibits in the Smithsonian should be chosen and displayed? Who should have a say?

5) Do you think changing museum displays could or would have an impact?  How?  Why?

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

This expression has been attributed to everyone from Voltaire to Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man comic book; but what does it mean?  

The phrase “Great powers bring great responsibilities” is said by Peter’s foster father and uncle, “Uncle Ben”, in the form of advice or warning. Ignoring what would be the last words he would hear from his uncle, Peter decides to employ his new superpowers to win money in a wrestling tournament. He wins the fight, but ends up being deceived by the event's promoter. When a thief steals the promoter’s money, Peter takes revenge by omission: he chooses to let the thief escape. He later learns that his uncle had been shot to death. He starts looking for the killer. When he finally finds him, the hero-in-the-making finds out that it was the same thief that he had let go. The fact naturally awakens a heavy sense of guilt and an acute sense of responsibility and heroism.  It is later repeated by Aunt Mae in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

What is the true origin of the saying?

What power does the media have?

What responsibility do we have to check it?

Lesson: Creating Healthy News Habits

The Influencing Machine

LISTEN TO THE STORY

What is the Influencing Machine?

Introduction Questions

Does the media really control people's minds?

What techniques do advertisers use?

What Is News?

Is this News?

How about these stories?

What makes one thing worth reporting, while another thing is not? We offer a test for news which can work in all societies. We consider what makes some news stories stronger than others. Finally, we look at how news comes to journalists, and the areas of life where we most often find it.

Look at today's Front Pages and Complete 'Where does news come from?'

This course looks at the role of the media on international, national, state, local, and school-wide levels. Although the content is constantly changing there are recurrent themes including domestic and foreign policy, the economy, war, crime, and the environment.  Let's look back at the stories that made the headlines the past year and, make some predictions about what we may study this year.

What do you think was the biggest story of the Summer?  What predictions do you make about this Fall?