-
Examine professional ethical principles, their historical development, and their application in the digital media environment
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Explain the ethical principles that guide professional journalists according to the Society for Professional Journalists
Describe commonly used ethical approaches to news decisions historically
Describe commonly used ethical approaches to news decisions in today’s digital culture
Detail outside influences, such as business or social media, in ethical decisions related to news coverage
Examine how ethical approaches reflect and/or coincide with Society for Professional Journalists principles
-
Assess the role of professionals in shaping ethical decisions about news
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Identify past failures and successes with regards to ethical challenges during the news process
Detail ethical considerations in decision-making processes among news professionals
Critique practices and decisions in light of the SPJ ethical principles
Compare past practices and decisions to evolving challenges in current media environment
-
Analyze the technological, social, cultural and economic effects on the media and how those impact moral decision-making
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Describe how morality influences news professionals’ decision-making related to news coverage
Analyze relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and technological influences
Examine relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and social influences
Investigate relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and cultural influences
Evaluate relationships between ethical approaches among news professionals and economic influences
Examine the interconnectedness of these influences
Critique moral decisions by news professionals based on these influences
-
Analyze the complex moral decision making process
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Radio/audio podcast
Criteria
Determine how affected parties are considered
Differentiate between functional and moral obligations
Examine the process to order priorities
Defend the moral obligations of news professionals
Detail the practical obligations of news professionals
Identify people influenced by news professionals’ decisions
-
Relate the First Amendment and the rights protected by the First Amendment to different media contexts
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Identify key principles of the First Amendment
Identify key court cases related to news media, both historically and in our current digital culture
Document the evolution of the courts with regards to the First Amendment and the press
-
Compare and contrast the traditional, or legacy, news environment and digital news environment with regards to First Amendment cases and freedoms
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Describe libel, privacy, obscenity, commercial speech, and intellectual property in context of court cases
Identify key court cases in each of these areas (i.e. libel, privacy, obscenity, commercial speech, and intellectual property) in a historical context
Identify key court cases in each of these areas in the digital media environment
Critique how these court cases influence the day-to-day freedoms that members of the press enjoy
Critique how these court cases influence the day-to-day freedoms that a participatory media culture enjoys
-
Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press in physical space and cyberspace
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Radio/audio podcast
Criteria
Explain key court cases with regards to traditional media outlets and the First Amendment
Explain key court cases with regards to online media and the First Amendment
Examine current federal court cases
Describe how past cases and decisions influence existing cases
Describe the top five issues facing the press and public in an evolving media environment
-
Justify why diversity, civility, and civic engagement are vital issues in media ethics
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Describe concepts of diversity and civility as it applies to news professionals
Analyze news professionals’ roles in developing a civically engaged citizens, both historically and today
Explain what responsibilities various groups assign the press in cultivating informed citizens
Explain evolving attitudes among groups with regards to the press’ role in nurturing a civically engaged citizenry
-
Differentiate between legitimate and fake news
Assessment Strategies
Group presentation, Exam, Written product, Podcast and/or video log
Criteria
Identify the key components of media literacy
Compare the differences between facts, false or manipulated information, pseudoscientific claims, conspiracy theories, and perceived media bias
Apply media literacy skills to stories that have appeared in media
Determine accuracy and truthfulness of information
Determine the factors in building a news story based on facts, accuracy, and context
Explain how to cultivate media literacy skills in other individuals