It’s based on the article ‘Proactive journalism‘ which we recommend trainers read before adapting this lesson outline for your own purposes.

Learning objective

Students will investigate and analyse stories of significant public interest by applying proactive journalism techniques. They will demonstrate the ability to anticipate and explore potential stories, moving beyond traditional reactive reporting.

• Student-facing objective: By the end of this lesson the student will be able to use proactive journalism skills to find and analyse important stories, going beyond just reacting to news events.
• Standards: This lesson plan teaches journalists how to take a proactive approach to newsgathering by investigating, anticipating, exploring, and exposing stories of significant public interest.

Learning activities

Warm-up

Present students with a recent news headline. Ask them to identify what they notice and wonder about the story. Encourage them to consider potential biases, missing perspectives, and underlying issues. Allow a few minutes for individual reflection, then have students share their thoughts with a partner. Conclude by discussing as a class, focusing on how proactive journalism could deepen understanding of the story.

Direct instruction

• Observing and questioning: Introduce the concept of proactive journalism by discussing its contrast with traditional journalism. Use a real-world example, such as a recent investigative report, to illustrate how proactive journalists identify potential stories. Highlight the importance of questioning assumptions and seeking diverse perspectives. Ask students to brainstorm questions they would ask to uncover hidden aspects of the story.
• Learning and investigating: Explain the process of in-depth research in proactive journalism. Use a case study where journalists uncovered a significant story through persistent investigation. Discuss strategies for validating information and identifying knowledge gaps. Have students outline a research plan for a hypothetical story, focusing on uncovering new angles and perspectives.
• Analysing and Deducting: Describe how proactive journalists organise and evaluate information to draw informed conclusions. Present a scenario where journalists connected disparate facts to reveal a larger narrative. Guide students in analysing a set of provided data or statements, encouraging them to identify patterns and potential impacts. Conclude with a discussion on the importance of evidence-based conclusions in shaping public understanding.

Guided practice

Think, Pair, Share: Guide students through a proactive journalism exercise.

• Think: Present a brief news article. Ask students to individually identify potential angles for deeper investigation, considering biases and missing perspectives.
• Pair: Have students pair up to discuss their identified angles. Encourage them to challenge each other’s assumptions and refine their ideas.
• Share: Facilitate a class discussion where pairs share their findings. Highlight diverse approaches and emphasise the importance of questioning and exploring in proactive journalism.
• Feedback: Provide constructive feedback on their investigative angles, focusing on clarity, depth, and potential impact.
• Reflection: Conclude with a reflection on how this exercise enhances their ability to set the agenda in journalism.

Independent practice

• Investigative exercise: Assign students a recent news topic. Instruct them to independently research and identify potential stories within the topic that have not been widely covered. Encourage them to apply proactive journalism techniques: observing, questioning, learning, investigating, analysing, and deducting.
• Research plan: Have students create a detailed research plan outlining their approach to uncovering hidden aspects of the story. They should include potential sources, questions to explore, and methods for validating information.
• Analysis and reflection: Ask students to write a brief analysis of their findings, focusing on the potential impact and significance of the story. Encourage them to reflect on how their proactive approach differs from traditional reporting.
• Peer review: Pair students to exchange their analyses. Instruct them to provide feedback on each other’s work, focusing on the depth of investigation and the clarity of conclusions.

Assignment

Ask students to answer these questions:

1. How does proactive journalism differ from traditional journalism?
2. What is one technique you used today to uncover a hidden aspect of a story?
3. What’s one question you still have from today’s lesson?

Suggested answers:

• Suggested answer to Question 1: Proactive journalism involves actively seeking out stories and setting the agenda, while traditional journalism often reacts to events.
• Suggested answer to Question 2: I used questioning assumptions to identify potential biases and missing perspectives.

Teacher resources

Differentiation guide

• Advanced learners: Encourage them to explore complex, multifaceted stories. Assign tasks that require collecting information from diverse sources and drawing connections to broader societal issues. Challenge them to propose innovative angles or investigative methods.
• Striving learners: Provide structured guidance and clear examples. Break down tasks into manageable steps. Use graphic organisers to help them visualise the investigative process. Offer additional support in formulating questions and identifying biases.
• General strategies: Use peer collaboration to foster diverse perspectives. Encourage students to share insights and strategies. Provide feedback that focuses on developing critical thinking and investigative skills.
• Background reading: This lesson plan is based on the article ‘Proactive journalism‘ which we recommend trainers read before adapting this lesson outline for your own purposes.

Notable definitions

• Proactive journalism: An approach to newsgathering where journalists actively seek out stories, anticipate events, and set the agenda rather than merely reacting to news as it happens.
• Investigative reporting: A form of journalism that involves in-depth research and analysis to uncover hidden truths, often focusing on issues of significant public interest.
• Bias: A tendency to present information in a way that reflects a particular perspective or agenda, which proactive journalists strive to identify and mitigate to ensure balanced reporting.

Required materials

• Recent news articles for analysis
• Case studies of investigative reports
• Access to computers or tablets for research
• Notebooks or digital tools for note-taking
• Whiteboard and markers for class discussions
• Handouts with data sets or statements for analysis
• Peer review forms for feedback exchange

Lesson summary

• Warm-up
• Direct instruction
• Guided practice
• Independent practice
• Assignment

The free teaching tools at the Khan Academy were used in the production of this lesson plan.

Related article

In-depth proactive journalism

The post Lesson: Proactive Journalism first appeared on Media Helping Media.

Proactive journalism is an approach to newsgathering where reporters take the initiative in seeking out stories.

Traditional journalism often involves reacting to news releases, press conferences, and breaking events.

Proactive journalism is a deliberate, investigative approach that empowers journalists to anticipate, explore, and expose stories of significant public interest. It’s about setting the agenda, not just following it.

Proactive journalism

Shaping the narrative

This proactive approach is characterised by a commitment to uncovering hidden truths and holding power accountable through a structured, multi-stage process:

1. Observing and questioning:
   • This goes beyond surface-level reporting. It’s about critically examining every piece of information, even seemingly straightforward press releases or speeches.
   • Proactive journalists actively challenge assumptions, seek diverse perspectives, and rigorously test claims with independent data.
   • They understand that every source has a potential bias and strive to present a balanced and comprehensive view.
   • The goal is to move beyond simply relaying information to understanding the underlying dynamics and potential conflicts of interest.
2. Learning and investigating:
   • This stage involves in-depth research to validate information, clarify ambiguities, and identify knowledge gaps.
   • Proactive journalists pursue clarity, refusing to report on anything they don’t fully understand.
   • They seek to uncover new angles and perspectives, transforming complex issues into accessible and engaging narratives.
   • They are dedicated to finding the truth, and following that truth where ever it may lead.
3. Analysing and deducting:
   • This involves systematically organising and evaluating all collected information, including observations, research, and source materials.
   • Proactive journalists assess the potential impact and reach of a story, considering the diverse stakeholders and long-term implications.
   • They connect the dots, identify patterns, and draw informed conclusions based on the evidence.
4. Reflecting and collaborating:
   • This is a crucial step for ensuring accuracy, fairness, and objectivity.
   • Proactive journalists seek feedback from editors and colleagues to challenge their own assumptions and identify potential biases.
   • They prioritise editorial integrity, ensuring that all significant voices are represented and that the story is presented in a balanced and responsible manner.
   • This is where the strength of the story is judged.
5. Contextualising and illuminating:
   • This involves providing the audience with the necessary context to understand the significance of the story.
   • Proactive journalists delve into the history of the issue, explore relevant trends, and identify broader connections to political, social, and economic factors.
   • They are looking for the “why” of the story.
   • They seek to uncover patterns, make comparisons, and reveal the underlying forces that shape events.
   • They find the real story.

By embracing these principles, proactive journalism empowers citizens to make informed decisions and hold powerful institutions accountable. It fosters a more informed and engaged public, contributing to a healthier and more transparent society.

Questions

1. What is proactive journalism, and how does it differ from traditional journalism?
2. Describe the main goal of proactive journalism.
3. What are the key characteristics of the “Observing and questioning” stage in proactive journalism?
4. How do proactive journalists ensure they present a balanced and comprehensive view?
5. Explain the importance of the “Learning and investigating” stage in proactive journalism.
6. What role does “Analysing and deducting” play in the proactive journalism process?
7. How do proactive journalists use feedback in the “Reflecting and collaborating” stage?
8. Why is “Contextualising and illuminating” crucial for proactive journalism?
9. Discuss how proactive journalism contributes to a more informed and engaged public.
10. In what ways does proactive journalism hold powerful institutions accountable?

Answers

1. Proactive journalism is an approach where reporters actively seek out stories, unlike traditional journalism, which often reacts to news events.
2. The main goal is to anticipate, explore, and expose stories of significant public interest, setting the agenda rather than following it.
3. It involves critically examining information, challenging assumptions, seeking diverse perspectives, and testing claims with independent data.
4. They understand potential biases in sources and strive to present a balanced view by moving beyond relaying information to understanding underlying dynamics.
5. This stage involves in-depth research to validate information, clarify ambiguities, and uncover new angles, ensuring a comprehensive understanding.
6. It involves organising and evaluating information to assess a story’s impact, connect patterns, and draw informed conclusions.
7. Feedback helps journalists challenge assumptions, identify biases, and ensure editorial integrity by representing all significant voices.
8. It provides necessary context, exploring history, trends, and broader connections to help the audience understand the story’s significance.
9. By empowering citizens with information, it fosters engagement and transparency, contributing to a healthier society.
10. It holds institutions accountable by uncovering hidden truths and ensuring that power is scrutinised through investigative reporting.

Lesson plan for trainers

If you are a trainer of journalists we have a free lesson plan: Proactive journalism which you are welcome to download and adapt for your own purposes.

Related material

Story development techniques

The post In-depth proactive journalism first appeared on Media Helping Media.