ReadWriteThink: June 1, 2009: CNN debuted as the first television news network in 1980.

June 1, 2009

		On June 1, 1980, Ted Turner introduced the Cable News Network (CNN), the first all-news television network. CNN has since provided news coverage and features 24 hours a day. News seekers can now find up-to-date coverage on CNN.com and CNNRADIO, or sign up for e-mail alerts of breaking news stories. image © 2009 www.clipart.com

CNN debuted as the first television news network in 1980.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

New technologies have made it easier than ever for people to get the news. This is in stark contrast to previous centuries, when there were fewer news sources and it could take days or even months for important news to travel long distances. Have students brainstorm a list of modern news sources, such as newspapers, radio, the Internet, television, e-mail, or text messaging. Next, have students brainstorm a list of news sources from previous centuries, such as telegrams or the town crier.

Arrange the class in small groups and assign each group one of these news sources to research. Students should find out when and where the method was first used, when people stopped using it, and so on. Then have students work together using the ReadWriteThink Interactive Timeline to create a visual timeline showing the evolution of the news over time. See also Tips for Using Timeline for information about the tool and activity ideas.

Lesson Plans

Novel News: Broadcast Coverage of Character, Conflict, Resolution, and Setting
In this lesson, high school students prepare original news programs based on incidents in a book.

Critical Media Literacy: TV Programs
Use this lesson, intended for grades 6–8, to critically analyze popular television news shows such as 60 Minutes or 20/20.

Lights, Camera, Action: Interviewing a Book Character
In this lesson for grades 6–8, students closely examine the characters in a novel. They then create an interview-style television show where they write the script and play the roles of the television host and the characters.

The Feature Story—Fifteen Minutes (and 500 Words) of Fame!
This lesson asks high school students to write a profile of a classmate, with a particular focus on a talent, interest, or passion of that classmate.

Web Links

CNNfyi.com: Teaching Tools
CNN offers teachers a variety of tools for the classroom, including a calendar of programming events, reference tools, Web links, teaching tips, and lesson plans.

High School Journalism
Published by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, this website offers teachers a variety of resources, including lesson plans, teaching tips, and a database of high school newspapers.

Newseum: The Interactive Museum of News
The Newseum offers online exhibits about a variety of news and journalism topics, as well as brief descriptions of some of their physical exhibits.

Digital Media Resources
This site from the Journalism Education Association offers information on publishing articles and podcasts online. Included also are tips on how to promote high school newspaper websites.

Texts

Spangenburg, Ray, Kit Moser, and Diane Moser. 2003. TV News: Can It Be Trusted? Enslow Publishers.
This book explores some of the causes of sensationalism and bias in television journalism. It also addresses how to recognize bias and distinguish between real news stories and more entertaining pieces.

Gifford, Clive. 2000. Eyewitness: Media & Communications. DK Publishing Inc.
Younger readers will enjoy this pictorial history of media. There are photographs and illustrations about journalism, propaganda, and the way the news has changed over time.

Cohen, Daniel. 2000. Yellow Journalism: Scandal, Sensationalism and Gossip in the Media. 21st Century.
Read about what happens when news goes too far in this book, which includes both print and broadcast journalism. The book includes information on the coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial and the Sam Sheppard case.