Discussion: What have you shared lately? Is it news?

Objective:

At the end of discussion, learners will be able to:

• Acknowledge the difference between news and other types of information.
• Understand the “public” aspect of news and information.
• Recognise the responsibility and potential risk of sharing questionable content, unverified rumours, and possibly harmful gossip.

Steps:

• Ask students the following two questions:
  
  Q1: What were the last three things you have shared with your friends lately? An Instagram photo? A tweet? A video clip on TikTok? A web link? A text message? What compelled you to share it?
  
  Q2: Among them, how many can be considered ‘news’? Why?
  
  
• Have them discuss the answers in small groups (5-10 minutes)
• Class discussion (5-10 minutes)

Teacher’s note

• This activity aims to have students think about what ‘news’ is and how it differs from other types of information they see and share.
• In class discussion, reinforce the idea that ‘news’ is something people outside of their circles would also like to know and share — the concept of ’public interest.’
• It is also essential to bring out that for a piece of information to be ‘news’, it must be based on facts. Otherwise, it cannot be distinguished from other types of media content.
• Rumours, gossip and similar types of information may sound like ‘news’, but we don’t know if they are accurate or made up until someone (journalists, experts, and others) verifies them. 

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