In today’s era of quick information and fake news, teaching students about ethical journalism and media literacy is essential. One effective way to achieve this is to explore the story of Stephen Glass, a notorious figure in the world of journalism whose career can be used as an example of deceptive practices.
Background of Stephen Glass
Stephen Glass was an American journalist who rose to fame during the mid-1990s by writing compelling stories on various topics for reputable publications including The New Republic, George, and Rolling Stone. However, it was revealed in 1998 that a significant number of his articles were either partially or entirely fabricated.
The Unraveling
The downfall of Stephen Glass began when Forbes Digital Tool, an online magazine, found factual inaccuracies in one of his stories about a teenage hacker for The New Republic. Further investigation revealed that Glass had invented quotes, sources, and events in many of his other articles.
Impact on Journalism
Stephen Glass’s actions had far-reaching consequences for journalism and media ethics. His case prompted more rigorous fact-checking measures within news outlets and increased discussions around ethical standards for journalists.
Teaching Students About Stephen Glass and Media Literacy
Introducing the story of Stephen Glass and his journalistic malpractices can serve as an eye-opening lesson plan with multiple learning objectives:
1. Ethics in journalism: Students can learn about professional integrity in reporting while discussing issues such as fabrication, plagiarism, accountability, and trust between the audience and the news source.
2. Fact-checking: Teach students how to verify information by cross-referencing sources, looking for supporting evidence, assessing biases, and evaluating credibility.
3. Critical thinking: Encourage students to consider multiple perspectives on a topic before reaching conclusions. Teach them how to detect opinion-based arguments versus evidence-based discussions.
4. Analyzing sources: Discuss with students the importance of reading and evaluating news stories from various sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of an issue and avoid falling prey to misinformation.
Conclusion
Teaching students about Stephen Glass provides them with an important opportunity to explore the consequences of unethical journalism. This case study can help them understand the necessity of media literacy skills while instilling a sense of responsibility in future journalists, researchers, and consumers of information.
