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Lesson Plan

You Can’t Say That: Right to Know vs. Security Risk

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This You Can’t Say That: Right to Know vs. Security Risk lesson plan also includes:

Print or block? That is the question young journalists debate as part of their study of the freedom of the press. Half the class represents the journalists' legal team, and the other half represents the government's legal team. Teams prepare arguments for the question: "Should freedom of the press be limited when the government believes that a story could put the safety of the country at risk?"  After the debate, the class votes to print or block the story.

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CCSS: Designed
Concepts
the first amendment, freedom of the press, national security, investigative journalism, journalism, journalism ethics, the bill of rights, debate, critical thinking, arguments, counterarguments, persuasion
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Instructional Ideas
  • Review the rules for the debate as part of presenting the assignment
  • Invite a local journalist to speak with the class about issues they have faced when reporting such stories
Classroom Considerations
  • Presumes class members have previous knowledge of the five freedoms outlined in the First Amendment
  • Requires copies, one per participant, of the "Right to Know vs. Security Risk" handout
Pros
  • It gives scholars insight into the ongoing battles between journalists and government officials
Cons
  • None
Common Core
CCRA.SL.1