Defining Confirmation Bias
Reporters and media professionals define the term “confirmation bias,” and discuss its effect on how people approach and evaluate news and other information.
Hands Up, Don’t Shoot?
This handout includes what the DOJ concluded about the veracity of the “Hands up, don’t shoot!” claim, along with Attorney General Eric Holder’s comment about the larger context for the movement.
Citizen Watchdogs and the Future of News
Reporters, media professionals, and a graduate student explore the power of social media for sharing news and information, catalyzing social activism, and allowing citizens to play a watchdog role.
Race and Racism
While we know that "race" is a social construct and not a biological fact, "racism" still exists. In this audio reading Lisa Delpit - scholar, author, writer and mother-writes to her daughter about her own experiences with racism growing up in the United States.
Front Page News on August 15, 2014
To further explore the power of images and the editorial choices made by different news agencies, have students compare the images and headlines featured on the front pages of a number of newspapers from August 15, 2014.
Police Officer in Ferguson
A member of the St. Louis County Police fires tear gas during demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 18, 2014.
Clark Doll Study
Psychologists Mamie and Kenneth Clark prove a connection between segregation and low self-esteem.
Peaceful Protest in Ferguson
Peaceful demonstrators gather in Ferguson, Missouri, in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death.
Three Images of Michael Brown
Use the Analyzing Visual Images teaching strategy to look at three images of Michael Brown.
Combating Confirmation Bias
Reporters and media professionals give suggestions for how to avoid our own biases when we consume news.