From Johann to Jon News Literacy What is it? News Literacy is the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of.

From Johann to JonFrom Johann to Jon

News News LiteracyLiteracyWhat is it?What is it?

News Literacy is the ability to News Literacy is the ability to use critical thinking skills to use critical thinking skills to

judge the reliability and judge the reliability and credibility of news reports, credibility of news reports,

whether they come via print, whether they come via print, television or the Internettelevision or the Internet

News Literacy News Literacy Vs.Vs.

Media Literacy Media Literacy

"The ability to access, analyze, "The ability to access, analyze, communicate, and produce media in communicate, and produce media in

variety of forms" variety of forms"

((Aspen Institute (1989))Aspen Institute (1989))

"Media Literacy incorporates the theoretical "Media Literacy incorporates the theoretical traditions of semiotics, literary criticism, media traditions of semiotics, literary criticism, media studies, communication theory, research on studies, communication theory, research on arts education, and language and literacy arts education, and language and literacy

development." development."

((Hobbs, Renee (1997).Hobbs, Renee (1997). Literacy for the information ageLiteracy for the information age))

Why We Why We NeedNeedNews News

LiteracyLiteracy

As the digital revolution unleashes As the digital revolution unleashes an unprecedented flood of an unprecedented flood of information – and disinformation –, information – and disinformation –, the ability to assess the value of the ability to assess the value of news will be an news will be an essential skillessential skill for a for a citizen of the Information Age.citizen of the Information Age.

Democracy only can flourish with Democracy only can flourish with an informed citizenry. an informed citizenry.

The corollary: democracy will wither The corollary: democracy will wither with a with a mismisinformed or confused informed or confused

citizenry.citizenry.

Quality journalism only can be Quality journalism only can be sustained by a public that sustained by a public that

recognizes it… and is willing to recognizes it… and is willing to support it.support it.

News News LiteracyLiteracy

The CourseThe Course

How do you know if you’re getting

the truth from the news?

News News BlackoutBlackout““Ouch!”Ouch!”

“… “… the experience resembled the experience resembled withdrawal. It made me realize withdrawal. It made me realize how dependent I am on having how dependent I am on having instantaneous access to instantaneous access to news…”news…”

- - A.I.A.I.

“…It is strange when you realize how connected you are to the rest of the world. When it all is taken away, you feel as though a piece of you is missing.”

- M.F.

“…The people around me including myself would have no information about the outside world. This would lead me to believe that my way of life and thinking is the right way…If this is the way I feel after 48 hours, I wonder how people feel if they were to experience this their whole lives.”

- N.S.

“… “… Feelings of dread and anxiety Feelings of dread and anxiety came over me as I realized how came over me as I realized how many friends, customers and many friends, customers and coworkers would be discussing the coworkers would be discussing the State of the Union address the next State of the Union address the next day…The feelings of dread and day…The feelings of dread and anxiety came from the fear of being anxiety came from the fear of being judged by my peers as uninformed, judged by my peers as uninformed, ignorant and even downright Un-ignorant and even downright Un-American”American”

- T.A.- T.A.

“…I learned that, ‘ignorance is bliss,’ because if you have no idea about the negative events that occur in today’s society, it would not ruin your mood.”

- L.L.

““This news blackout This news blackout has been absolutely has been absolutely dreadful… I had to feel dreadful… I had to feel the window in my the window in my room to try and figure room to try and figure out what the weather out what the weather outside was like…”outside was like…”

- R.D.- R.D.

“I feel by far that this has been the hardest task trying to accomplish throughout my years at Stony Brook…”

- M.G.

Phase Phase OneOne

Know Your Know Your NeighborhoodNeighborhood

What is Journalism?

Why do so many people want to kill

journalists?

Has the NY Times Committed Treason?

Is Jon Stewart a journalist?

Jon StewartJon Stewart25%25%

of college of college students go students go to him for to him for

newsnews

Is all information of equal value?

Key Elements: The Key Elements: The GridGrid

Video News Video News ReleasesReleases

““What’s Real?”What’s Real?”

KGUN-9 (Tucson, AZ)

Are bloggers Are bloggers journalists?journalists?

What is What is News?News?

&&Who Who

Decides?Decides?

Why News Why News MattersMatters• Pakistan

• Oil Prices

• Presidential Politics

• The Rising Costs of College Tuition

• Health Insurance

• Crime on Campus

• Weekly News Logs

Phase Phase TwoTwo

Deconstructing Deconstructing The NewsThe News

What is difference What is difference between news and between news and

opinion?opinion?

What’s the difference What’s the difference between assertion between assertion and verification?and verification?

What’s the difference What’s the difference between inference between inference

and evidence?and evidence?

How do you know How do you know if a news source if a news source

is reliableis reliable??

1.1. Names sources are better than unnamed sourcesNames sources are better than unnamed sources

2.2. Authoritative sources are better than uninformed Authoritative sources are better than uninformed sourcessources

3.3. Independent sources are better than self Independent sources are better than self interested sourcesinterested sources

4.4. Sources who verify are better than sources who Sources who verify are better than sources who assertassert

5.5. Multiple sources are better than single sourcesMultiple sources are better than single sources

The 5 Sourcing RulesThe 5 Sourcing Rules

Open The

Freezer!

What is news bias What is news bias and what is and what is

audienceaudience bias? bias?

What do college What do college women do on Spring women do on Spring

Break?Break?

Cognitive DissonanceCognitive Dissonance• People distort incoming information that People distort incoming information that

contradicts contradicts their point of view.their point of view.• People tend to pursue information that only People tend to pursue information that only

reflects their point of view. (This is called reflects their point of view. (This is called “confirmation bias.”)“confirmation bias.”)• People disassociate messages from sources People disassociate messages from sources (the “sleeper effect”).(the “sleeper effect”).

•When they do remember sources, people When they do remember sources, people selectively selectively

describe messages as coming from sources who describe messages as coming from sources who are are

known to be more reliable. known to be more reliable. •People experience a strong pressure People experience a strong pressure

to conform to popular opinion.to conform to popular opinion.

““Hostile Media Effect”Hostile Media Effect”

• The best-informed partisans are the most likely The best-informed partisans are the most likely to see bias.to see bias.

The War in Lebanon, 1982The War in Lebanon, 1982

• A belief among A belief among partisans that news partisans that news reports are painting reports are painting them in the worst them in the worst possible light.possible light.

• People who are deeply involved in one side of an People who are deeply involved in one side of an issue issue

or another are quicker to spot and remember or another are quicker to spot and remember aspects aspects

of a news story that are negative.of a news story that are negative.

Phase Phase ThreeThreeTV and The NetTV and The Net

Why you can’t be a couch Why you can’t be a couch potatopotato

Rules for Rules for the TV the TV News News

ConsumerConsumer

BE AWARE OF BE AWARE OF THE SINNERSTHE SINNERS

Be aware of stories that have a Be aware of stories that have a point of view from the beginning point of view from the beginning and don’t show another side or and don’t show another side or refer to another point of view to refer to another point of view to

the story.the story.

Be suspicious of manipulation – music, Be suspicious of manipulation – music, slow motion, quick editing and other slow motion, quick editing and other production techniques can be used to production techniques can be used to create a mood. Be aware of video that create a mood. Be aware of video that

is gratuitous; overused; titillatingis gratuitous; overused; titillating..

Be aware of stories with Be aware of stories with none or only one none or only one

eyewitness; no sourcing; eyewitness; no sourcing; meaningless sound bites.meaningless sound bites.

Be aware of staging. Use Be aware of staging. Use your common sense when your common sense when watching a TV news story.watching a TV news story.

LOOK FOR LOOK FOR THE THE WINNERSWINNERS

Look for differing Look for differing viewpoints of a viewpoints of a

controversial story.controversial story.

Look for comprehensive Look for comprehensive news stories.news stories.

Did I get the “who, what where, Did I get the “who, what where, when, why” questions answered?when, why” questions answered?

Look for first-hand accounts; good Look for first-hand accounts; good sourcing; articulate, credible sourcing; articulate, credible

eyewitnesses along with eyewitnesses along with independent verified information. independent verified information.

(“CH5 News has learned…”)(“CH5 News has learned…”)

Look for good storytelling. Look for good storytelling. Look for short, clear writing and Look for short, clear writing and

conversational tone.conversational tone.

Who isWho is George George

TurklebauTurklebaum? m?

Worker dead at desk for 5 daysWorker dead at desk for 5 days

Birmingham, UKBirmingham, UK7th Jan 20017th Jan 2001

Bosses of a publishing firm are trying to work out why no one Bosses of a publishing firm are trying to work out why no one noticed that one of their employees had been sitting dead at his desk for noticed that one of their employees had been sitting dead at his desk for five days before anyone asked if he was feeling okay. five days before anyone asked if he was feeling okay.

George Turklebaum, 51, who had been employed as a proof-George Turklebaum, 51, who had been employed as a proof-reader at a New York firm for 30 years, had a heart attack in the open-reader at a New York firm for 30 years, had a heart attack in the open-plan office he shared with 23 other workers. He quietly passed away on plan office he shared with 23 other workers. He quietly passed away on Monday, but nobody noticed until Saturday morning when an office Monday, but nobody noticed until Saturday morning when an office cleaner asked why he was still working during the weekend. cleaner asked why he was still working during the weekend.

His boss Elliot Wachiaski said: "George was always the first guy His boss Elliot Wachiaski said: "George was always the first guy in each morning and the last to leave at night, so no one found it unusual in each morning and the last to leave at night, so no one found it unusual that he was in the same position all that time and didn't say anything. He that he was in the same position all that time and didn't say anything. He was always absorbed in his work and kept much to himself." was always absorbed in his work and kept much to himself."

A post mortem examination revealed that he had been dead for A post mortem examination revealed that he had been dead for five days after suffering a coronary. Ironically, George was proofreading five days after suffering a coronary. Ironically, George was proofreading manuscripts of medical textbooks when he died. manuscripts of medical textbooks when he died.

You may want to give your co-workers a nudge occasionally. You may want to give your co-workers a nudge occasionally.

EvaluatiEvaluating a ng a Web Web PagePage

This site is run by Don Black, former KKK Grand Wizard

It is hosted by Stormfront.org, a white

supremacy organization.

Domain namesDomain names - But only with caution! Use Whois to find domain name - But only with caution! Use Whois to find domain name owner: owner: http://www.internic.net/whois.htmlhttp://www.internic.net/whois.html

AuthorityAuthority – Who is responsible? What does the site’s “About Us” tell you? – Who is responsible? What does the site’s “About Us” tell you? Is the individual or organization reputable?Is the individual or organization reputable?

AccuracyAccuracy – Is the info correct? Are sources cited properly? Are there – Is the info correct? Are sources cited properly? Are there typos? If necessary, check site in hoaxbuster sites such as typos? If necessary, check site in hoaxbuster sites such as http://http://Snopes.comSnopes.com or or http://Purportal.comhttp://Purportal.com

ObjectivityObjectivity – Are they selling you something? If a bias exists is it clearly – Are they selling you something? If a bias exists is it clearly stated?stated?

CurrencyCurrency – Is the information current? Are the links working? Is there an – Is the information current? Are the links working? Is there an update date for the content?update date for the content?

CoverageCoverage – Is it scholarly or just for fun? Are both sides of an issue – Is it scholarly or just for fun? Are both sides of an issue addressed? It this an original work or is it a modified version of something addressed? It this an original work or is it a modified version of something else?else?

Rules for Evaluating Rules for Evaluating Web InfoWeb Info

Lessons for the News Lessons for the News ConsumerConsumer

• Remember, story rank doesn’t Remember, story rank doesn’t guarantee reliability or importanceguarantee reliability or importance

• Being a smart news consumer in Being a smart news consumer in the digital age is hard workthe digital age is hard work

• The Internet provides unprecedented The Internet provides unprecedented advantages to access and evaluate news. advantages to access and evaluate news.

Maximize its advantages.Maximize its advantages.

• On the Internet, there is a greater need On the Internet, there is a greater need - and a greater ability - to check sources, - and a greater ability - to check sources,

check sources, check sourcescheck sources, check sources

But are But are we any we any

smarter?smarter?

PEW PEW StudyStudyWhat What

AmericanAmericans Know: s Know: 1989-1989-20072007

Survey Report Released:Survey Report Released:

April 2007April 2007

Source: Pew Research Center for Source: Pew Research Center for the People & the Pressthe People & the Press

Phase Phase FourFourChoosing News Choosing News

You Can TrustYou Can Trust

Top 10 Top 10 TipsTipsFor News For News

ConsumersConsumers

1. Know what information 1. Know what information neighborhood you’re in.neighborhood you’re in.

2. In the journalism neighborhood 2. In the journalism neighborhood know the difference between know the difference between news and opinion. news and opinion.

3. Follow a story over time.3. Follow a story over time.

4. Evaluate sources, evaluate 4. Evaluate sources, evaluate sources!sources!

5. Always ask yourself: Did the 5. Always ask yourself: Did the reporter open the freezer?reporter open the freezer?

6. Apply the common sense test.6. Apply the common sense test.

7. Be open to information that 7. Be open to information that challenges your biases and challenges your biases and assumptions.assumptions.

8. Choose multiple brands that 8. Choose multiple brands that you trust.you trust.

9. Be an aggressive news 9. Be an aggressive news consumer. Being a good news consumer. Being a good news consumer in the digital age is consumer in the digital age is hard work.hard work.

10. Make time for the news.10. Make time for the news.

Student Student FeedbackFeedback

Did this course Did this course meet your meet your

expectations?expectations?

No. I thought it would be an easy A.

Our Next Our Next GoalGoal

To teach To teach 10,00010,000 StudentsStudents

In the next four years.In the next four years.

The Center For News Literacy

Mission Of The CenterMission Of The Center

To become the nationally-recognized center for educating current and future

consumers on how to judge the reliability and

credibility of news.

Goals Of The CenterGoals Of The Center• To become a major resource for media outlets, educational institutions and the

general public.

• To use Stony Brook University as a cutting edge laboratory to explore how to best teach

key concepts and applications to college students.

• To share successful syllabus materials with other Universities around the nation and world.

Goals Of The CenterGoals Of The Center• To develop the nation’s first High School

Curriculum in News Literacy.

• To become a National clearinghouse for best practices and new research in the field.

• To train the first generation of News Literacy Fellows, Speakers and Scholars, who will extend

the principles of News Literacy to the general public. Through innovative web-based programs,

seminars, books and special presentations.

Ford Foundation Ford Foundation GrantGrant

Award $200,000Award $200,000 GoalsGoals

Development of news literacy web site.Development of news literacy web site. Development of pilot program for high school Development of pilot program for high school

students.students. Development of pilot program for the general Development of pilot program for the general

public.public. Fall 2008Fall 2008 - - Host a major conference on Host a major conference on

News Literacy for Journalists, Educators and News Literacy for Journalists, Educators and Scholars from across the nation. Scholars from across the nation.

News Literacy News Literacy EnrollmentEnrollment

660660 StudentsStudents33 Lecture SectionsLecture Sections2323 RecitationsRecitations

NEXT SEMESTER:NEXT SEMESTER: 872*872* StudentsStudents

44 Lecture Sections Lecture Sections

3232 RecitationsRecitations**Projected EnrollmentProjected Enrollment