News Analysis

Confidentiality Assignment (You may work individually or in teams of 2-3)

A. Decide if you agree or disagree with the following statement, “Journalists should never be forced to reveal the identity of their sources.” Make notes on index cards about why you agree or disagree with this statement. If you have both sides in your team, make cards both pro and con.

B. Start your quest with the following QR code:

Click on the QR quote

Find the answers to the following questions:

1. What are some samples of sources (name at least 4)?
2. Would you, as a reporter, ever accept information “off-the-record”? Why or why not?
3. What are the dangers of using anonymous sources? Can you name a famous anonymous source that has been used? (This question is not answered in this article - but think in terms of something by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.) Extra credit: Who is believed to have been the anonymous source?
4. Why would someone not wish to be on an audio/video recording?
5. Would you uphold your confidential sources or would you give in to pressure to release the identity of your source? Why?
6. List and define (in your own words) the 8 terms listed in the “Speaking Terms” section of the article.

C. Next QR codes: (just click on the QR codes to be directed to the website)

Find the answers to the following questions:

1. Who conducted the independent investigation into the CBS report that had questionable authenticity?
2. What was the nature of the report?
3. What was the date the report was made?
4. What did CBS acknowledge the week of the story about the authenticity of the disputed memos?
5. What are the professional backgrounds of the two investigators, named in #1?
6. Who provided the documents to CBS?
7. Did the person who provided the documents tell the truth?
8. Why did CBS chose to create the independent committee?
9. What was this scandal commonly called?
10. Who was Mary Mapes?
11. Why were the memos questioned?
12. What was CBS’s stand on the investigation outcome?
13. What was the aftermath of the report and investigation?
14. What was Dan Rather’s stand in the aftermath?

D. Next QR Codes: (select 3 of the following to use)

www.nytimes.com www.usatoday.com www.washingtonpost.com

www.online.wsj.com/home-page www.latimes.com www.chicagotribune.com

Select one article from each (of 3) newspaper that is at least 500 words long. The first CBS article you read was about 670 words. (You can copy the text into a MS Word document and get a word count on the lower left hand side.)

Make sure to select articles from different sections of the newspaper. INCLUDE A LINK TO YOUR ARTICLE IN YOUR FINDINGS.

Make a table with the following information (You may do this on 8.5 x 11 paper):

E. Analyse your data.

1. How many sources are quoted in the articles? (average)
2. Did any of the article have significantly more sources? If so, what made this article different?
3. Why do you think the journalists used particular sources? Was the source an authority on the subject matter? How do you know? Does the article identify the credentials/authority of each source? Did you find them convincing?
4. Did the journalists use a range of sources? Approximately how much (percentage) of the article’s content relies on statements of one or more sources?
5. If it were discovered that one of the sources had lied, how much would the included falsehood impair the article?
6. If statistics or other facts were used, are the numbers/facts convincing? Are the sources identified? How reputable and reliable do these sources seem to be? How can you tell?

F. Once you have finished your chart, analysis your data using the following questions:

G. Using your findings above, make a presentation (Prezi, Animoto, PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.) Your presentation should be at least 6 slides and include bibliographical information. A rubric for the presentation is attached.