By Paul Mihailidis, PhD
For educational questions about Know the News or this guide, or to receive a class code, please contact: knowthenews@linktv.org
Classroom Question Guide
OVERVIEW
This learning companion for the Know The News Challenge consists of in-depth questions that accompany each of the clips featured online. These questions should be used as follow up in the classroom (or in the home) after a user has taken the Challenge. The questions can be used to:
Please note that these questions are mostly open-ended. This should allow for significant exploration and analysis in a group setting. The aim is to enhance the online quiz by offering topics, frameworks and perspectives for further learning. This guide can help students of all ages and levels of education think about the complex role of TV news in the global landscape.
Enjoy!
Paul Mihailidis, Ph.D.
Educational Consultant, Link TV
Director, Salzburg Academy on Media & Global Change, Austria
Assistant Professor, Hofstra University, New York
VIDEO #2 – FOX VS. NBC (WATERBOARDING)
Opening Discussion Questions
1.Do you think the six detainees from the 9/11 terrorist attacks that were provided a fair trial in a court of law?
2.Which newscast, FOX or NBC, do you think more accurately portrayed the story of the six detainees held at Guantanamo Bay Prison Facilities who went on trial for their role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks?
Context Questions
1.Is it appropriate for news outlets, in this case NBC, to use graphic images (water boarding) to aid their reports?
2.Fox news used images and text of the U.S. Supreme Court in their report. What does this say about the audience of Fox? About the United States legal system?
3.What is the audience not hearing about the case at hand?
4.Fox & NBC both used different images to introduce the story at hand. How do you think these help shape the stories differently for the audiences?
5.What is the difference between using “aggressive interrogation techniques” (FOX) and “torture” (NBC) to describe water boarding in a news clip?
Content Questions
1.T/F: Fox & NBC both allude to water boarding as a form of torture?
2.T/F: NBC used a retired prosecutor from Guantanamo to help the audiences understand why the prison is ethical and justified in its interrogation techniques.
3.NBC chose to interview a ___________________ to discuss interrogation techniques
4.Fox news, when talking about the interrogation techniques, used an image of __________________ to aid their report
5.Both NBC & Fox News used _____________________ who admitted to water boarding the detainees during their interrogation process.
Answer Key: 1. False, 2. False, 3. Retired Air Force Colonel 4. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 5. CIA Chief Michael Hayden
VIDEO #3 – BBC vs. IRIB (Sailors)
Opening Discussion Questions
1.Do you think the British Soldiers captured by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were in illegal waters when apprehended? Were the Iranians portrayed as overly-aggressive in taking the British Soldiers near their coastline, or were they simply seen as defending their borders?
2.Do you think the incident where British soldiers were apprehended by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was portrayed diplomatically by the media? In the same way, do you think the issue was handled diplomatically by both nations’ political leaders?
Context Questions
1.The BBC leads their news broadcast with the statement that the British sailors were in “international waters” while the IRIB news station introduces the story by stating that the British soldiers made “illegal entry into Iranian waters.” Who is right and how do you know? What impact does this have on the story?
2.What information about this situational conflict between Iran & Britain that may help give you a clearer understanding of the issue is not being told?
3.The BBC used images of the British soldiers playing table tennis, eating together, laughing & watching soccer. Why would they show these lighter images to their viewing audiences in light of a serious situation?
4.Why does the BBC use former Prime Minister Tony Blair in their news story?
5.The IRIB broadcaster refers to this situation as a “battle for worldwide audiences.” Do you think this makes the story a propaganda issue?
6.What are the different interpretations of this story between British & Iranian citizens if they were to view this broadcast?
7.The IRIB refers to Al-Jazeera’s news network to reinforce their point about the strong diplomacy of their government. What does the news organizations choice of outlet say about its aim to tell a neutral story?
8.The IRIB calls Iran the “ultimate winner in the standoff.” What evidence does the broadcast give to substantiate this claim?
9.The BBC covers the response of the soldiers while back in the UK. Did the IRIB do the same for their citizens?
10.The BBC states in its broadcast “if diplomacy doesn’t work.” What are they insinuating with this comment? And do you think a news organization should make such a claim?
Content Questions
1.T/F: IRIB used official statements by government officials to substantiate their side of the story?
2.When the British Soldiers returned home and held a press conference, they were in uniform, and read pre-written statements with the British flag hanging in the background. This is known as a _____________________.
3.The BBC refers to the soldiers as __________________, and issues a statement to release them immediately.
Answer Key: 1. True, 2. Media Event, 3. Kidnapped
VIDEO #4– LATIN NEWS ON IMMIGRATION
Opening Discussion Questions
1.Do you think the media cover the human side of illegal immigration from Mexico into the United States? Or do they simply use a political lens to tell the story?
2.What type of differences would you expect to see between a U.S. news report on illegal immigration and a Mexican news report on the same issue?
3.Is immigration reform improving or getting worse for Mexican immigrants making their way into the United States?
Context Questions
1.The Mexican news outlet begins its coverage with a series of images of impoverished, desolate, and barren looking Mexican children and women. What mood do you think this sets for the tone of the story?
2.Why does the news story predominantly use images of children to accompany a story on illegal immigration into the United States?
3.At the end of the news story, two couples are featured as a human interest piece for success once arriving to the United States. Why is this part of a news cast that is otherwise rather dark and gloomy?
4.How does the introduction of the news story—emotionally charged imagery—set the tone for the rest of the story? Is it an accurate tone to set?
5.When the clip shifts to talk about the issue of the border control, the images turn from color to black and white. Why did the XXXX news outlet choose to make this switch?
6.When the news clip shifts from the images of children to the border, the voice becomes a male voice, and dark music plays in the background. What does this shift in storytelling and mood suggest about the news outlet’s view towards the situation?
7.Why does the news story refer to statistics (1 million attempts to cross the border per year, 50% success rate) when discussing border patrol?
8.What is this news story not telling it’s audience about illegal immigration from Mexico to the U.S.?
9.How might this message be interpreted differently between Mexican & U.S. citizens?
Content Questions
1.T/F: The newscast directly compared illegal immigrants to animals as they attempted to cross the border?
2.T/F: The newscast claims that poverty is the main reason for illegal crossing of the border into the United States?
3.The newscast directly compared the pursuit of illegal immigrants and the border patrol to ___________________________
4.The news story mentions that Mexicans often make their way to the U.S. by having income, education, and _____________________ to aid them into the country.
Answer Key: 1. True, 2. False, 3. Roadrunner & Coyote Cartoon, 4. Social Networks
VIDEO #5 – CCTV TIBET RIOTS
Opening Discussion Questions
1.Based on media reports, what is the major issue in the conflict between the Tibetan Monks and the Chinese Government?
2.Do you think the Tibetan Monks are being treated fairly and allowed to express their voice openly and in peace?
3.Do you think global media generally favors the Chinese government’s stance on the issue or the Tibetan Monks’ side of the story? Do these media outlets reinforce the ideals of their countries?
Context Questions
1.What do the images portrayed in the news story say about the values of the Tibetan Monks and the Tibetan public?
2.CCTV’s audience is the predominantly Chinese public. How do the images chosen by the news outlet influence the Chinese view of the Tibetan monks and the conflict at hand?
3.CCTV airs an interview with a Tibetan man who said that “it was wrong to riot.” Why do they only show an interview with a remorseful individual? Does this give the audience the entire picture?
4.The end of this story highlights the monks right to exist and CCTV states China’s “commitment to freedom of religion.” What evidence in the news story leads the viewer to believe this?
5.What is this story not telling about the conflict between the Chinese Government and the Tibetan Monks?
6.How might Chinese and Tibetan citizens interpret this message differently?
7.Why did CCTV use images of monks’ infighting with each other over waving a Tibetan flag when speaking about the crisis?
8.What evidence was used to substantiate CCTV’s claim that the monks stormed peaceful places like “government buildings, schools, and hospitals”?
Content Questions
1.T/F: CCTV claimed that the riots were all coordinated by the Buddhist Monks.
2.T/F: CCTV provides evidence that the Buddhist Monks were responsible for all the rioting?
3.T/F: The monks were carrying weapons supplied to them by international governments to combat the Chinese government?
4.The CCTV anchor referred to the Tibetan Government as __________________?
Answer Key – 1. True, 2. True, 3. False, 4. A government in exile
VIDEO #6 – CCTV EARTHQUAKE COVERAGE
Opening Discussion Questions
1.What type of action and involvement is Premier Hu Jintao taking to help the victims of the Earthquake in the Sichuan Province of China?
2.How do you think CCTV portrays its own government’s response to the Earthquake? How do they show international support for the disaster?
Context Questions
1.What does this clip say about the Chinese government’s response to the Earthquake?
2.Global media outlets report that weak building infrastructure was a big reason for the destruction of public buildings. Why is this not reported in the CCTV clip?
3.What does the news story say about the country and its public?
4.What information about the natural disaster and government response is missing from this clip?
5.At the end of the news story, large waves of people were shown gathered in Beijing. Were they protesting or supporting the governments response to the crisis? How can you tell?
6.Use of sound bites – Intro: “A country united in support of the victims?” What is the evidence for this?
7.Use of sound bites – Conclusion: “This is a country that fears no disaster or death” What does this say about the country? Why would they include this line when speaking about an Earthquake?
8.Why were there no victims or grieving families shown throughout the CCTV clip?
Content Questions
1.T/F: Not only was the government responding to the disaster, but international aid was also highlighted in the newscast.
2.The images in the clip were predominantly of __________________________
3.On the scene of the natural disaster the pictures were predominantly of ____________________.
4.Chinese Premier minister Hu Jintao was shown ____________________, to reinforce his commitment to the recovery of the ravished areas from the Earthquake.
Answer Key – 1. True, 2. Hu Jintao, 3. Rescue and Order, 4. Actively searching for survivors
VIDEO #7 – RUSSIA TODAY: THE NORTH POLE EXPEDITION
Opening Discussion Questions
1.What is the main reason for Russia making scientific explorations into the North Pole and Artic Ocean regions?
2.Do you think Russia has the proper legal permission to advance their ships into international exploration and stake claim to land in the Arctic region, as noted in the following news cast?
3.Has the media paid proper attention to this issue? What is the rest of the world saying about Russia’s actions in the Arctic Region?
Context Questions
1.What is the symbolic importance of Russia planting a flag on an ocean ridge in the Arctic Ocean?
2.What are the motives, according to Russia Today, for this exploration?
3.What does the response by the Canadian foreign minister, comparing Russia’s expedition to archaic times, suggest about global views towards this action?
a.How does Russia Today respond to the Canadian foreign minister’s opinion in their newscast?
4.What information about Russia’s Arctic exploration is not being told by the news story?
5.How would this information be seen differently by Russian citizens and the rest of the world?
6.Russia Today embedded a news anchor on the exploration ship. Why did the news outlet think having a reporter on the scene was necessary?
Content Questions
1.Upon re-surfacing from their journey the Russian explorers arose from their deep sea diving vehicle and began to _____________________.
2.The only other opinion of this exploration provided in the news cast was a negative comment by __________________
3.Beyond prestige, the newscast mentioned alternative motives for the exploration as __________, _______________, and __________________, providing added context and incentive for Russia’s decision to invest in such development and research.
Answer Key - 1. Wave the Russian Flag, 2. Canada’s Foreign Minister, 3.
VIDEO #8 – Al JAZEERA VS. FOX – JIMMY CARTER & HAMAS
Opening Discussion Questions
1.How does the reporting of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict held provide some background to Jimmy Carter’s actions in the Middle East and ideas about achieving peace between Israel and Palestine?
2.How is Hamas portrayed to the rest of the global community by the media? Do you think this portrayal is justified?
Context Questions
1.Why do you think the information used by Fox and Al Jazeera to describe the same topic is so different?
2.Every time Hamas is shown by the news outlets, they are wearing black masks. What does this say about the news outlets who choose to show these images?
a.What does it portray about Hamas to the news audience?
3.Fox news refers to Hamas as a terrorist or terror organizations on numerous occasions, while Al-Jazeera never does. Why do you think this is the case?
4.What information is not being told by either Al Jazeera or Fox News about the Israel/Palestine situation and Jimmy Carter’s talks with Hamas?
5.How would the Al-Jazeera news piece be viewed in the United States? How would the Fox News story be viewed if it were aired in Palestine or Syria?
6.At the end of the Fox news clip, the anchor shares a story of a request for former President Jimmy Carter’s passport to be revoked. Why would this recommendation be aired on a major news network?
7.Fox news, early in their newscast, states that Hamas exists on one premise; that “the state of Israel should not exist.” Al Jazeera, meanwhile, opens their newscast by stating that Hamas is willing to recognize the existence of Israel. Why are these two views so different?
Content Questions
1.T/F: Fox News leads with a dialog that states “despite protests from the president, government, etc.” to explain Jimmy Carters’ visit to the Middle East.
2.Fox news describes Hamas as _____________.
Answer Key – 1. True, 2. Launching Bombs daily into Israel
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