Election 2006 Online Lesson:
The Role of the Media In Elections

Overview
In this lesson, students read about the role of the media in elections and review two media web sites to evaluate how each site is covering the 2006 elections.

First, students read about practices the media should follow to keep the public informed about election issues and campaign races. Next, working in small groups on the Internet, they explore two election-coverage web sites, choose a single issue or campaign race and use a list of media tasks and guidelines from the reading to evaluate each web site’s election coverage and report back on their findings.

Objectives
Students will be able to:

• Identify the role of the media in an election.
• Review a media web site for content.
• Identify and describe media coverage of election issues and campaign races.
• Choose, compare, and evaluate media content about election issues and campaign races.

Materials

• Computer(s) with Internet connections—optimally one per small group (3-5)
• Handout 1—The Role of the Media In Elections—one copy per student
• Handout 2—Evaluating Media Coverage—one copy per student
• Writing materials for reporting back (markers, large sheets of paper)

Preparation

• If you do not have adequate access to computers and the Internet you can do this lesson with a selection of current local and/or national newspapers.
• You may want to review and choose from the larger list of media web sites in “Election 2006.”

Procedure

A. Focus Discussion: What do you know already?
Hold a short discussion by asking students:

• What do you know about the election, its issues, and the candidates who are running? (Prompt students to be specific in their answers. List student answers on the board; you may want to refer to them later.)
• Where did you find out what you know about the election, its issues and candidates? (newspapers, television, radio, the Internet, discussions with friends or parents)
• Do you feel well-informed about the election? Why or why not?

Explain that, today, students are going to look at three media web sites to determine how well they are covering the election.

B. Class Activity—The Role of the Media During Elections
Distribute a copy of Handout 1—The Role of the Media in Elections to each student. After they have read the handout hold a short discussion using the following questions:

• What is the most important role of the media? (to keep the public informed)
• What does tasks do the media perform during an election? (see Media Tasks)
• In your opinion, do the media perform their role well? Why or why not?
• What do you think might be important for the media to do to keep the public informed? (see Media Guidelines)

C. Small-Group Activity—Evaluating Media Election Coverage

1. Divide the class into small groups. Distribute a copy Handout 2—Evaluating Media Election Coverage to each student.
2. Have them briefly review the three media coverage sites listed on Handout 2. These links are listed at Election 2006 Links n the CRF Election Central home page. (To have groups review a broader range of media coverage sites, refer them to the Election 2006 Links on the CRF Election Home Page.)
3. Using the three media election sites listed on Handout 2, have them choose a campaign issue or campaign race to report on. (You may want to refer them to the list of election issues and campaign races they brainstormed during the Procedure A—Focus Discussion.)
4. Have groups use the Media Tasks and Media Guidelines from Handout 1 to help them determine how well each site is covering the election.
5. Have each group report back, using the questions at the bottom of Handout 2 to inform their report.