CRITICAL VIEWING TIP  

  (see tip #2)  (see tip #3)   (see tip#4)

by Sue Lockwood Summers

Concept:  

The news is presented in many different ways.  Variations may include:   

•  the amount of information given

          •  the images that accompany the story

          •  the emphasis or placement of the news item

          •  the actual words or text used in the news story 

These components may affect your perceptions of the world around you.

Activity:   

Watch a news story on a nightly television news program.  Listen to the radio headlines for the report of the same story.  Find the same news item on the Internet and in a local newspaper, a national newspaper, and a weekly news magazine.  Compare and contrast the various elements. See how you react to each presentation.

Discussion:

• What are the differences between TV, radio, print, and Internet news reporting?

• Which news source gives the most information?

• Which news source depends the most on visuals?

• How can the images used in a news report affect its message?

• How can the words used in a news report affect its message?