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9th grade · Social Studies · Unit 2 of 10

Media & Democracy

A free press and a careful public

What your child practices

Why a free and responsible press matters, broadcast, print and online media, how officials use media to shape opinion, and how to spot misinformation, bias and spin.

Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards benchmark: 9.1.1.3; 9.1.5.2 · judging sources and persuasion, and the media's role in politics

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. The First Amendment protects freedom of the press, which helps citizens hold leaders accountable.
  2. Investigative journalism digs to uncover wrongdoing. Officials and political ads use media to persuade.
  3. Check reliability: look for named sources and see whether other trusted outlets report the same thing.

Example: Which amendment protects freedom of the press? It protects speech, religion, assembly and petition too. That is the First. Answer: the First

Media & Democracy in Minnesota

In the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards, this is unit 2 of 10 in 9th grade Social Studies, after Taking Part and before Minnesota's Government.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    An editorial is…

    • a court ruling
    • an opinion piece from a news outlet
    • a news report with no opinion
    • an advertisement

  2. Question 2

    Which amendment protects freedom of the press?

    • the Second
    • the Fifth
    • the Tenth
    • the First

  3. Question 3

    Media bias means…

    • perfect balance
    • a legal ruling
    • only weather news
    • a slant that favors one side

  4. Question 4

    Why do public officials post on social media?

    • to end elections
    • because it is required by law
    • to speak directly to citizens without reporters in between
    • to hold trials

  5. Question 5

    Investigative journalism…

    • digs deep to uncover wrongdoing
    • only reports sports
    • avoids officials
    • prints press releases unchanged

  6. Question 6

    The Fairness Doctrine, ended in 1987, once required broadcasters to…

    • support the president
    • avoid politics
    • show only sports
    • present contrasting views on public issues

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