Feb. 22 - 26, 2010 Media Literacy / Short Stories

Thurs. Feb. 25 - Fri. Feb. 26, 2010 Freedom to Read Week

- I will be away at a conference on these days.
- On Thursday, you'll be reading "House" (Inside Stories II p. 20).
- Read the story and complete terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.
- On Friday, you'll be reading "God is Not a Fish Inspector" (Inside Stories II p. 42)
- Read the story and complete terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.

Wed. Feb. 24, 2010

- Review the short story plot diagram activity.
- Read Harrison Bergeron. Complete terminology notes according to the long sheet instructions.
"Harrison Bergeron" was written by American author Kurt Vonnegut. In this YouTube clip, Vonnegut offers advice for short story writers. After reading "Harrison Bergeron," do you think that Vonnegut has followed his own advice?

Tues. Feb. 23, 2010

Today, we'll start our short stories unit.
"Ashes for the Wind" was written by Colombian journalist and author Hernando Téllez. Although Téllez wrote this story around 1945, the problems of Colombia's internally displaced persons (IDPs) persist today.

This Refugees International YouTube clip, produced in 2008, outlines the scope of the IDP problem in Colombia.

An April 2008 news agency report provides another view on Colombia's IDP crisis.
In 2009, LinkTV produced a documentary, Stories That Kill, about the state of journalism and freedom of expression in Colombia.

Mon. Feb. 22, 2010

Review the Fundamental Freedoms (section 2) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms:

Fundamental Freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

a) freedom of conscience and religion;

b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;

c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and

d) freedom of association.

Freedom of the press is an important cornerstone of a democracy. In some societies, information access is much more restrictive than it is in Canada.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics have caused some concerns surrounding freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and police surveillance. As an example, American journalist Amy Goodman was alarmed by her treatment at the border as she arrived in Canada. See the video clip:


Find out where Canada currently ranks on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index. Where did Canada rank in 2002?

View the following videos:
Report on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index


Learn about the most dangerous country for journalists.


Internet censorship in China


Blogging and its impact on traditional news media