Who Owns the News?
Module 2, Activity 1.4 - Media Convergence
Student Page
(teacher lesson for this page)

Introduction:

In this lesson, you will be practicing your research skills and creating a list of what your sources say, how they say it, and why. As a journalist, you need to gather facts, decide if those facts are reliable, and then pull those facts together and pitch your ideas. At the end of the lesson, you'll look at the consequences for an electronic journalist who fails to complete these steps.

Activities:

Task One - Searching (a quick scan)
Using one of the links listed below, familiarize yourself with the basic issues in Media Convergence. You should know the following by the time you are done reading:

1. What Media Convergence is
2. Why it's an issue
3. Who is affected
4. Why it is happening

Some suggested links:

• The CBC Archives
• Heritage Canada
• Journalism.org
• The Media Center - convergence tracker

Task Two - Digging (in depth research)
Now it is time to do some in depth searching. Your initial look has given you some basic information. You need to dig for more by conducting an effective search. Find at least 3 independent internet sources, and try to balance the points of view that they represent. For each source, complete a research card. Remember to conduct your search using effective search techniques. Complete a research card for at least one source that is not reliable, so that you can make a comparison.

Objectives:

You will be able to
- state and evaluate an author's theme, tone, and viewpoint
- assess an author's ideas and techniques
- demonstrate fact-gathering, research, and writing skills necessary for in-depth reporting
- evaluate the concept of objectivity
- evaluate the quality and reliability of various forms and examples of journalism

Task Three - Beyond the Internet
Make a list of at least three other sources that you could contact to add to your story. For each source state who the person is, why you would contact the person and what makes that person a reliable source. Add your list to your research card.

Task Four - Assessing the Sources
Look at all of the resources you have gathered for the story on Media Convergence. Write down the angle you intend to take on your story and some jot notes on what you will say in the story. Now before you are ready to pitch the story to a producer, be sure that your sources are good. Reject any of the sources that do not meet the criteria of a reliable source