Mike Wallace, an American journalist known for his fearless investigative reporting and hard-hitting interviews, was a trailblazer in modern journalism. Remembered for his long tenure on the CBS news program “60 Minutes,” Wallace’s career spanned over six decades, forever changing the landscape of broadcast journalism. As educators, teaching students about Mike Wallace enables them to understand the power of ethical journalism and its impact on society. This article delves into effective strategies to incorporate Wallace’s legacy within your curriculum.
Introducing Mike Wallace To Students
1. Begin with a brief biography: Start by sharing essential biographical details about Mike Wallace, like his early days as a radio announcer and his transition to television journalism. Include memorable career highlights such as interviews with iconic figures like Malcolm X, Salvador Dali, and Richard Nixon.
2. Share video clips: Utilize video clips from notable “60 Minutes” segments or other broadcasts that feature Mike Wallace’s investigative reports. Use these videos to discuss journalistic ethics and hold conversations about the significance of fair reporting.
3. Discuss infamous interviews: Dive into some of Wallace’s most controversial interviews and highlight the importance of asking tough questions to uncover truths.
Techniques For Teaching About Mike Wallace
1. Role-play exercises: Encourage students to role-play as interviewers and interviewees using the techniques employed by Mike Wallace. Provide scenarios based on actual interviews he conducted or create new ones that demand similar skill sets.
2. Analyzing interview strategies: Have students analyze segments from Wallace’s interviews to identify patterns in his approach and techniques such as surveillance, interrogation, and entrapment.
3. Debating journalistic ethics: Use real-life examples from Mike Wallace’s career or other journalists to lead discussions about journalism ethics, including the balance between getting a story versus potentially harming an interviewee.
4. Exploring modern-day comparisons: Compare and contrast Mike Wallace’s journalistic style and methods with contemporary journalists and news program formats, shedding light on the evolution of investigative journalism in the 21st century.
5. Project-based learning: Assign students to research, write, and present reports or create multimedia projects that explore different aspects of Mike Wallace’s life, career, and influence on the journalism world.
Incorporating Mike Wallace’s Legacy
1. Highlighting bravery: Encourage students to admire Wallace’s fearlessness when tackling challenging issues, controversial topics, and powerful figures.
2. Valuing accuracy and integrity: Emphasize the importance of accuracy and integrity in reporting by highlighting examples from Wallace’s career.
3. Encouraging critical thinking: Teach students how Wallace employed critical thinking by asking difficult questions during his interviews and addressing critical social issues of his time.
