Skip to main content
 

Rising Temperatures, Differing Viewpoints

A Case Study on the Politics of Information

By Christopher Hollister

Rising Temperatures, Differing Viewpoints


 

Abstract

In this case, students work in small groups to analyze and critically evaluate the often political nature of news stories. The case was developed from two newspaper articles published in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal about the release of an EPA report on the state of the environment. While the New York Times article discusses White House editing of the report, which eliminated several references to the causes and dangers of global warming, the Wall Street Journal article focuses more on the report’s evidence of environmental improvements. Developed for an undergraduate information literacy course, the subject matter of the case also makes it suitable for use in undergraduate level courses in environmental studies, journalism, or political science.

   

Date Posted

10/03/2005

Overview

Objectives

  • Sharpen students’ skills to analyze and critically evaluate news stories.
  • Question the possible motivations for and influences on news stories.
  • Identify specific criteria for evaluating news stories.

Keywords

Global warming; climate change; emissions; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; EPA; Report on the Environment; science literacy; President George W. Bush; New York Times; Wall Street Journal

  

Subject Headings

Environmental Science
Journalism
Science (General)

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

Policy issues, Science and the media

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Analysis, Discussion

 

 

Asset 2