Lesson on Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Aim: Are bloggers journalists? If so, are they worthy of the legal protections provided to print and broadcast journalists?

Bell Ringer: Distribute copies of or provide Internet access to Specter's"Why We Need a Shield Law" and Mukasey's "No Need for Shield Law". Ask students to read these articles, and then draw on them to complete the worksheet "Free Speech, Blogs, and the Traditional Press"

Definition of Shield Law: http://www.spj.org/shieldlaw-faq.asp

WHY WE NEED A SHIELD LAW: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050401597.html

NO NEED FOR A SHIELD: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080417/oppose17.art.htm

Objectives:

1. Students will evaluate, take, and defend positions about rights protected by the Constitution and Bill of Rights

2. Students will evaluate, take, and defend positions on issues that cause the government to balance the interests of individuals with the public good.

3. Students will explain why rights have limits and are not absolute.

shield law

noun

1.    a law that protects witnesses from revealing certain information, especially in court.

o    a law that protects journalists from having to reveal confidential sources.

o    a law that protects rape victims from having to reveal details of their sexual history.

Agenda:

1. Bell Ringer (15 min)

2. Complete worksheet "Free Speech, Blogs, and the Traditional Press" (15 min)

3. Discuss each team's findings with the class at large. Ask for volunteers to share their conclusions, or solicit information by calling on students. (10 min)

4. Journal 47 - [insert Aim]? (rest of class)

Home Learning: Write a one page paper in support or in opposition to the establishment of a federal shield law. It should also discuss the extent to which shield law protections should or should not be extended to bloggers. Due: Friday, February 10, 2017 / TWO GRADES