Forests toolkit #3 – How is the debate on forests portrayed by the media?
The aim of this activity is to enable students’ engagement in meaningful science-society interaction and the development of critical thinking competence in the area of “Forest use vs. Forest Protection”. It enables students to gain insights into the work and considerations of a journalist and highlight core aspects which distinguish journalism from opinion-makers with different agendas. At the same time, students gain insight into local forest-related issues.
Age
- 15
- 16
- 17
Topic
- Forest use Vs. Forest protection
Duration
- Between 1-2 hours
Students’ resources
A journalist from local media is invited to meet with the students. In preparation, students get familiar with a piece of local media content on a forest-related theme selected by the journalist in collaboration with the teacher. For example, they can be assigned to reding a topic-related and recent newspaper article.
After writing a short reflection, the meeting with the journalist takes place. During the in-class activity, students have the opportunity to engage with the journalist by reflecting on the article and asking questions about forest-related media issues in particular and journalism in general.
Teachers’ resources
Teachers’ resources to conduct the activity include a guide for choosing appropriate media outlets, planning a meeting with a journalist and encouraging reflection among the students.
