1. IS ALL NEWS THE SAME? Using TV to examine purpose, audience, and bias in delivering a message
2. Let’s Think about it Think about a recent news story you saw on TV. In your journal, summarize the story. Next, answer these questions, as much as you can recall: What channel was it on? What time did it air? Who was the reporter? What was the name of the program ? How did you feel after you watched the story? Why?
3. Two Scenarios Let's compare two scenarios. You sit down, turn on the TV, and watch the local news. You sit down, turn on the TV, and catch a rerun of Saturday Night Live. The sketch that you're watching is the news segment.
4. What do you think? With your partner brainstorm the similarities and differences between the two scenarios.
5. Closer Look Local News What is the purpose of the local news? ABC News: Egypt in Crisis SNL News What is the purpose of the SNL weekend update? SNL Weekend Update: Egypt
6. What do you think? After viewing both videos, what was the purpose of the “reports” and what do you as a viewer take away from it?
8. Background How does your understanding of a channel, program, or reporter influence how you interpret information presented on a given topic?
9. Your Task In small groups, search for videos of the news. Select one news report and determine the purpose of the report as well as any other background information that may influence how you view.
