Critical Media Literacy and Civic Learning
Accessibility Statement
Introduction
Defining Critical Media Literacy
Key Civics and Government Concepts
Critical Media Literacy Guides
Topic 1. Foundations of the United States Political System
1.1. Social Media Policies and Community Standards on YouTube, Twitter, TikTok and More
1.2 . The Internet as a Public Utility
1.3 . 21st Century Women STEM Innovators
1.4 . Media Coverage of Kings, Queens, and Royal Families
1.5. Representations of Native Americans in Films, Local History Publications, and School Mascots
Topic 2. The Development of United States Government
2.1 . Declarations of Independence on Social Media
2.2 . Media Marketing and Government Regulation of Self-Driving Cars and Electric Vehicles
2.3. Representations of and Racism Toward Black Americans in the Media
2.4. Political Debates Through Songs from Hamilton: An American Musical
2.5. Bill of Rights on Twitter
Topic 3. Institutions of United States Government
3.1. Hollywood Movies About the Branches of Government
3.2. Writing an Impeachment Press Release
3.3. Members of Congress' Use of Social Media
3.4. Political Impacts of Public Opinion Polls
3.5. Website Design for New Political Parties
Topic 4. The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
4.1. Immigration in the News
4.2. Portrayals of Immigrants in Television and Film
4.3. COVID-19 Information Evaluation
4.4. Women Political Leaders in the Media
4.5. Online Messaging by Special Interest Groups
4.6. Digital Games for Civic Engagement
4.7. Social Media and the Elections
4.8. Images of Political Leaders and Political Power
4.9. Media Spin in the Coverage of Political Debates
4.10. Celebrities' Influence on Politics
4.11. Political Activism Through Social Media
4.12. Media Recruitment of Public Sector Workers
4.13. Deciding What Books Students Read in School
4.14. Images of Teachers and Teaching
4.15. For Whom Is and Could Your School Be Named
4.16. Representing Trans Identities
4.17. Media Framing of the Events of January 6, 2021
4.18. Music as Protest Art
4.19. PACs, Super PACs, and Unions in the Media
4.20. Brands and Politics
Topic 5. The Constitution, Amendments, and Supreme Court Decisions
5.1. Prohibition in the Media
5.2. The Equal Rights Amendment on Twitter and Other Social Media
5.3. Civil War Era News Stories and Recruitment Advertisements
5.4. Representations of Gender and Race on U.S. Currency
5.5. The Equality Act on Twitter
5.6. Reading Supreme Court Dissents Aloud
5.7. Television Cameras in Courtrooms
Topic 6. The Structure of State and Local Government
6.1. Native American Mascots and Logos
6.2. A Constitution for the Internet
6.3. Military Recruitment and the Media
6.4. Your Privacy on Social Media
6.5. Pandemic Policy Information in the Media
6.6. Gendered Language in Media Coverage of Women in Politics
6.7. Gender-Neutral Marketing of Toys
6.8. Environmental Campaigns Using Social Media
6.9. Plastics and the Media
6.10. Trusted Messengers, the Media, and the Pandemic
6.11. AI-Enhanced Online Campaigning for Political Office
6.12. Advertising the Lottery Online and In Print
6.13. Local Governments, Social Media and Digital Democracy
6.14. Protecting the Commons
Topic 7. Freedom of the Press and News/Media Literacy
7.1. Press Freedom in the United States and the World
7.2. Objectivity and Reporting the News from All Sides
7.3. Investigative Journalism and Social Change
7.4. News Photographs & Newspaper Design
7.5. How Reporters Report Events
7.6. Recommendation Algorithms on Social Media Platforms
7.7. YouTube Content Creators
7.8. Fake News Investigation and Evaluation
7.9. Paywalls and Access to Online News
7.10. Critical Visual Analysis of Online and Print Media
7.11. Memes and TikToks as Political Cartoons
7.12. Women Reporters in the Movies
7.13. Design a 21st Century Indie Bookstore
7.14. Greenwashing and the Media
7.15. AI Writing Tools, Politics, and History
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Writing an Impeachment Press Release
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<p id="p_oVeo" name="p_oVeo"></p><p id="p_bzrs" name="p_bzrs">A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_release" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-hZV" data-unshortened-url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_release" data-mce-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_release"><strong>Press Release</strong></a> is an official statement provided to the media by an individual or organization. Its purpose is to provide information in a short, simple, highly readable format.</p><p id="p_zKJa" name="p_zKJa">In politics, a press release also serves as a way to promote one’s side of an issue as favorably as possible within the boundaries of facts. The White House, on behalf of the President as well as individual politicians, political party organizations, and political interest groups, constantly issues press releases stating their positions and actions on the issues of the day.</p><figure class="image text-center"><img class="none" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://edtechbooks.org/content_images/mediaandciviclearning/whitehousepressroom.png" alt="White House West Wing - 1st Floor with the Press Briefing Room highlighted" id="img_fIjI" name="img_fIjI" data-mce-src="https://edtechbooks.org/content_images/mediaandciviclearning/whitehousepressroom.png" data-mce-style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><figcaption class="text-center"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_House_West_Wing_-_1st_Floor_with_the_Press_Briefing_Room_highlighted.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-EQAb" data-unshortened-url="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_House_West_Wing_-_1st_Floor_with_the_Press_Briefing_Room_highlighted.jpg" data-mce-href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_House_West_Wing_-_1st_Floor_with_the_Press_Briefing_Room_highlighted.jpg">A floorplan of the first floor of the West Wing of the White House</a> | Public Domain</figcaption></figure><p id="p_drVa" name="p_drVa">In this activity, you will write an <strong>Impeachment Press Release</strong> for one of the Presidential Impeachments in U.S. History. You can write a statement from either the President who is being impeached, the Impeachment Managers from the House of Representatives who are presenting the case against the President, or both.</p><h2 id="p_CLzd" name="p_CLzd"><strong>Activity: Write an Impeachment Press Release</strong></h2><ul id="ul_VvLr" name="ul_VvLr"><li id="li_kvvk" name="li_kvvk">First, evaluate historical impeachment press releases. Examine how these press releases are structured. How language is used. And, what information is presented or left out.<ul id="ul_Dfip" name="ul_Dfip"><li id="li_isSA" name="li_isSA">Here are two press releases related to the second impeachment of Donald Trump:<ul id="ul_Dfip" name="ul_Dfip"><li id="li_wsQm" name="li_wsQm"><a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3515" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-McY" data-unshortened-url="https://judiciary.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3515" data-mce-href="https://judiciary.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3515">Trial Memorandum from House Committee on the Judiciary</a>, February 2, 2021</li><li id="li_CzbQ" name="li_CzbQ"><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/impeachment-managers-request-trump-testify-under-oath-senate-trial-n1256751" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-iFEL" data-unshortened-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/impeachment-managers-request-trump-testify-under-oath-senate-trial-n1256751" data-mce-href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/impeachment-managers-request-trump-testify-under-oath-senate-trial-n1256751">Trump Will Not Testify or Provide Any Statement at Impeachment Trial</a>, February 4, 2021</li></ul></li></ul></li><li id="p_aUXp" name="p_aUXp">Then, select one of the Presidential Impeachments in U.S. History:<ul id="ul_nXek" name="ul_nXek"><li id="li_gNZn" name="li_gNZn"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6-W1D0WDk" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-LWy" data-unshortened-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6-W1D0WDk" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i6-W1D0WDk">President Johnson’s impeachment</a></li><li id="li_fUdo" name="li_fUdo"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrLM5cqM6Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-bciX" data-unshortened-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrLM5cqM6Q" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKrLM5cqM6Q">President Nixon’s impeachment</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Axo80kr9DM" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-pySh" data-unshortened-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Axo80kr9DM" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Axo80kr9DM">Frost/Nixon</a> (Netflix)</li><li id="li_tPTf" name="li_tPTf"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egoM9swLZQ4&list=PLIHvtLb-0ogcs5ahI1hrNamrC-fy-Gn1g&index=36" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-ISvy" data-unshortened-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egoM9swLZQ4&list=PLIHvtLb-0ogcs5ahI1hrNamrC-fy-Gn1g&index=36" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egoM9swLZQ4&list=PLIHvtLb-0ogcs5ahI1hrNamrC-fy-Gn1g&index=36">President Clinton’s impeachment</a></li><li id="li_itHY" name="li_itHY"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcuOGf8Tifg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-KamK" data-unshortened-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcuOGf8Tifg" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcuOGf8Tifg">President Trump’s first impeachment</a></li><li id="li_cURC" name="li_cURC"><a href="https://youtu.be/DL2avUIGihI" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/DL2avUIGihI">President Trump's second impeachment</a></li></ul></li><li id="li_weGq" name="li_weGq">Finally, write an impeachment press release.<ul id="ul_ayFZ" name="ul_ayFZ"><li id="li_kJJz" name="li_kJJz">Your goal is to make a case <strong>for or against</strong> Presidential impeachment in a press release that presents information as objectively as possible. You must include the actual facts of the situation and state the position of both those arguing for or against impeachment.</li></ul></li></ul><ul id="ul_qthp" name="ul_qthp"></ul><h2 id="p_jkST" name="p_jkST"><strong>Additional Resources</strong></h2><ul id="ul_ZeZE" name="ul_ZeZE"></ul><ul id="ul_DbtW" name="ul_DbtW"><li id="li_cTfU" name="li_cTfU"><a href="https://class-pr.com/blog/how-to-write-a-press-release/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-VaJ" data-unshortened-url="https://class-pr.com/blog/how-to-write-a-press-release/" data-mce-href="https://class-pr.com/blog/how-to-write-a-press-release/">How to Write a Press Release: The 11-Step Guide [2021 Update]</a>, Class: PR</li><li id="li_YErU" name="li_YErU"><a href="https://writix.co.uk/blog/how-to-write-a-press-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-bMLA" data-unshortened-url="https://writix.co.uk/blog/how-to-write-a-press-release" data-mce-href="https://writix.co.uk/blog/how-to-write-a-press-release">How To Write a Press Release, with Examples</a>, Writix </li><li id="li_Zckn" name="li_Zckn"><a href="https://www.icivics.org/games/branches-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-ChYR" data-unshortened-url="https://www.icivics.org/games/branches-power" data-mce-href="https://www.icivics.org/games/branches-power">Understanding Branches of Power Game </a>(iCivics)</li><li id="li_MQAE" name="li_MQAE"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/politics/what-is-impeachment-process.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-QxRA" data-unshortened-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/politics/what-is-impeachment-process.html" data-mce-href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/politics/what-is-impeachment-process.html">The Impeachment Process, Step-by-Step Guide</a> (<em>The New York Times</em>)</li><li id="li_bzwQ" name="li_bzwQ"><a href="https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/educators-playbook/impeachment-inquiry-lesson-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-WRsh" data-unshortened-url="https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/educators-playbook/impeachment-inquiry-lesson-plan" data-mce-href="https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/educators-playbook/impeachment-inquiry-lesson-plan">A Lesson for an Impeachment Inquiry</a>, The Educator's Playbook, University of Pennsylvania</li><li id="li_nTJS" name="li_nTJS"><a href="https://www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/the-impeachment-process-and-president-trump/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-MWvr" data-unshortened-url="https://www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/the-impeachment-process-and-president-trump/" data-mce-href="https://www.choices.edu/teaching-news-lesson/the-impeachment-process-and-president-trump/">The Impeachment Process and President Trump</a>, Choices Program, Brown University</li></ul><p id="p_XpdD" name="p_XpdD"></p><div class="callout info" data-callout-custom-class="info"><h3 id="h3_xBtZ" name="h3_xBtZ">Connecting to the Building Democracy for All eBook</h3><p id="p_RDVQ" name="p_RDVQ"><a href="https://edtechbooks.org/democracy/relationship#p_UYznR" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-eLr" data-unshortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/democracy/relationship#p_UYznR" data-mce-href="https://edtechbooks.org/democracy/relationship#p_UYznR">Building Democracy for All: When, and For What, Should a President Be Impeached?</a></p></div><div class="callout objectives" data-callout-custom-class="objectives"><h3 id="h3_SVYi" name="h3_SVYi">Connecting to the Standards</h3><ul id="ul_kGpE" name="ul_kGpE"><li id="li_epfn" aria-level="1" name="li_epfn"><a href="https://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/hss/2018-12.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-DNe" data-unshortened-url="https://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/hss/2018-12.pdf" data-mce-href="https://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/hss/2018-12.pdf">Massachusetts Civics & Government Standards</a><ul id="ul_gVTu" name="ul_gVTu"><li id="li_iwav" aria-level="2" name="li_iwav"><em>Examine the interrelationship of the three branches <strong>(</strong>the checks and balances system)</em>. (Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science) [8.T3.2]</li></ul></li><li id="li_vUIT" aria-level="1" name="li_vUIT"><a href="https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-XB" data-unshortened-url="https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students" data-mce-href="https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students">ISTE Standards</a><ul id="ul_xckh" data-duplicate="true" name="ul_xckh"><li id="li_hzUQ" aria-level="2" name="li_hzUQ">Knowledge Constructor<ul id="ul_xckh" name="ul_xckh"><li id="li_RKEQ" aria-level="2" name="li_RKEQ">3a: Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.</li><li id="li_KrFA" aria-level="2" name="li_KrFA">3d: Students build knowledge by actively exploring real-world issues and problems, developing ideas and theories and pursuing answers and solutions.</li></ul></li><li id="li_mNnn" aria-level="2" name="li_mNnn">Creative Communicator<ul id="ul_xckh" name="ul_xckh"><li id="li_vjNC" aria-level="2" name="li_vjNC">6d: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for the intended audiences.</li></ul></li></ul></li><li id="li_LuZP" aria-level="1" name="li_LuZP"><a href="https://www.doe.mass.edu/stem/dlcs/?section=planningtools" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-zRFS" data-unshortened-url="https://www.doe.mass.edu/stem/dlcs/?section=planningtools" data-mce-href="https://www.doe.mass.edu/stem/dlcs/?section=planningtools">DLCS Standards</a><ul id="ul_ATtC" name="ul_ATtC"><li id="li_mmbQ" aria-level="2" name="li_mmbQ">Collaboration and Communication (DTC.b)</li><li id="li_tNfx" aria-level="2" name="li_tNfx">Research (DTC.c)</li></ul></li><li id="li_MWJU" aria-level="1" name="li_MWJU"><a href="https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/introduction/" target="_blank" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-avE" data-unshortened-url="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/introduction/" data-mce-href="https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RH/introduction/" rel="noopener">English Language Arts > History/Social Studies Common Core Standards</a><ul id="ul_kGpE" name="ul_kGpE"><li id="li_pvKo" name="li_pvKo">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4</li><li id="li_Spbo" name="li_Spbo">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5</li><li id="li_xXcI" name="li_xXcI">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.4</li><li id="li_MaYP" name="li_MaYP">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.5</li><li id="li_Zqxa" name="li_Zqxa">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.8</li><li id="li_PdZR" name="li_PdZR">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.3</li><li id="li_bdGe" name="li_bdGe">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.5</li><li id="li_Fszc" name="li_Fszc">CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9</li></ul></li><li id="li_PPDV" name="li_PPDV"><a href="https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/" target="_blank" data-shortened-url="https://edtechbooks.org/-TMra" data-unshortened-url="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/" data-mce-href="https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/" rel="noopener">English/Language Arts Common Core Standards</a></li></ul></div>
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