Key Question: How is identity affected by media coverage of world events?
Learning Goal: Objectively examine all media information for validity.
A Few Links to Begin the Lesson
Are you a conspiracy theorist? Do you think that the media shapes their news stories and coverage portrayals according to how they want you to react? Media coverage varies depending on event, people involved, and/or magnitude of people affected. Check out the following link to see if you can debunk any media myths or legends. What issues might you have with basing your knowledge and opinions from this link?
www.snopes.com
Next, take a look at the website link listed below. The media always gives you access to stories that they feel are newsworthy. Some stories don't make the headlines. While there is an imbalance in what does or does not make it to print or online, there are always issues deciding to risks in the validity of sites like the following.
www.projectcensored.org
Finally, check out this link designed to provide you with tips to be media smart as you grow through the age of endless information.
www.media-awareness.ca/english/index.cfm
Are you a conspiracy theorist? Do you think that the media shapes their news stories and coverage portrayals according to how they want you to react? Media coverage varies depending on event, people involved, and/or magnitude of people affected. Check out the following link to see if you can debunk any media myths or legends. What issues might you have with basing your knowledge and opinions from this link?
www.snopes.com
Next, take a look at the website link listed below. The media always gives you access to stories that they feel are newsworthy. Some stories don't make the headlines. While there is an imbalance in what does or does not make it to print or online, there are always issues deciding to risks in the validity of sites like the following.
www.projectcensored.org
Finally, check out this link designed to provide you with tips to be media smart as you grow through the age of endless information.
www.media-awareness.ca/english/index.cfm
The Birth of Media Coverage
On Friday, November 22, 1963, news of the assassination of American president John F. Kennedy flashed around the world. In many countries, including Canada, TV stations suspended regular programming to broadcast events as they unfolded. American TV networks issued a bulletin at 1:45 that afternoon and soon started coverage that continued without commercial interruption for the next three days. During that time, an estimated 96 per cent of all American TV sets were on for an average of 31 hours.
Millions of people in other countries also watched TV coverage of the story. Many people who were alive in 1963 remember exactly where they were when they heard the news - and many were riveted to the live coverage as it unfolded through the weekend. Why do you suppose so many people gathered in front of TV sets that weekend?
The Kennedy assassination was one of the first examples of the kind of TV coverage people in Western countries have come to expect when momentous events occur. Since then, people who have access to communication technologies have become accustomed to witnessing events - natural disasters, political unrest, sporting events, and cultural festivities - in real time as they happen all over the world.
Here is what people watched on November 22, 1963.
Millions of people in other countries also watched TV coverage of the story. Many people who were alive in 1963 remember exactly where they were when they heard the news - and many were riveted to the live coverage as it unfolded through the weekend. Why do you suppose so many people gathered in front of TV sets that weekend?
The Kennedy assassination was one of the first examples of the kind of TV coverage people in Western countries have come to expect when momentous events occur. Since then, people who have access to communication technologies have become accustomed to witnessing events - natural disasters, political unrest, sporting events, and cultural festivities - in real time as they happen all over the world.
Here is what people watched on November 22, 1963.
Reflection Questions:
1. What technologies enabled people around the world to watch this event at the same time?
2. How did you find out about the event? What role did the media play in publicizing it?
3. Did you watch this event on the TV or the Internet? If so, why? If not, why not?
4. Did this event affect your identity? If so, how? If not, why not?
1. What technologies enabled people around the world to watch this event at the same time?
2. How did you find out about the event? What role did the media play in publicizing it?
3. Did you watch this event on the TV or the Internet? If so, why? If not, why not?
4. Did this event affect your identity? If so, how? If not, why not?
Media Coverage of Selected Events From the Past 50 Years
Woodstock '69
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the Vietnam War 1959-1975
O.J. Simpson Car Chase |
Princess Diana's Untimely Death |
9/11 - the World Watches
On September 11, 2001, four passenger airlines were hijacked in the United States. Two were flown into the World Trade Centre in New York City, the third crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. More than 3,000 people were killed in the attacks.
As a result of the attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush declared "war on terror." He vowed to track down Osama bin Laden and members of al-Qaeda, the extremist network that had been declared responsible for the attacks.
On the hijacked planes, some passengers and crew members made cellphone calls to report what was happening. After the planes crashed into the World Trade Centre, many people in the buildings used their cellphones to call loved ones and some used them to send farewell messages to their families.
A few early spectators videotaped events on cellphones or videocams and transmitted the images to TV stations. News crews arrived at the same time as emergency medical crews, firefighters, and police. by the time the second plane flew into the south tower of the World Trade Centre, CNN was already broadcasting live - and horrified viewers watched the plane hit the building.
As a result of the attacks, U.S. President George W. Bush declared "war on terror." He vowed to track down Osama bin Laden and members of al-Qaeda, the extremist network that had been declared responsible for the attacks.
On the hijacked planes, some passengers and crew members made cellphone calls to report what was happening. After the planes crashed into the World Trade Centre, many people in the buildings used their cellphones to call loved ones and some used them to send farewell messages to their families.
A few early spectators videotaped events on cellphones or videocams and transmitted the images to TV stations. News crews arrived at the same time as emergency medical crews, firefighters, and police. by the time the second plane flew into the south tower of the World Trade Centre, CNN was already broadcasting live - and horrified viewers watched the plane hit the building.
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