Included Resources (5): You Be the Editor – Journalism Ethics Simulation Game Press Freedom in 2025 – RSF Webquest + Teacher Key Journalism Ethics Case Studies Slideshow + Task + SPJ Code The Pentagon Goes to War on the Press (Again) Article + Guide The Press vs. The Pentagon Video + Teacher Discussion Guide If this bundle doesn't scratch your whole journalism itch, and you are looking for a complete journalism program covering all topics (sports, ethics, multimedia, features, opinion, etc.), check out our Complete Journalism Curriculum Bundle. Bundle Overview Equip your students with a robust, multi-modal unit on journalistic ethics, press freedom, and real-world decision making. This bundle provides: A hands-on newsroom simulation (game) where students act as editors making split-second decisions under pressure. A webquest grounded in the 2025 RSF Press Freedom Index to compare U.S. press conditions with freer and more repressive nations. A case study slideshow full of ethical dilemmas tied directly to the SPJ Code, plus a student task to invent their own.
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A current-events article lesson connecting modern Pentagon press policy to historic Pentagon Papers precedents. A video + discussion guide that brings constitutional, historical, and media ethics issues to life. Together, these resources offer a full ethics & press freedom unit — ideal for journalism, media literacy, civics, or government courses. Learning Objectives (across the bundle) Students will be able to: Apply the SPJ Code of Ethics (Seek Truth, Minimize Harm, Act Independently, Be Accountable) to realistic journalism dilemmas. Compare the U.S. press freedom environment to nations with greater or less freedom using RSF data. Articulate how economic fragility, political polarization, legal pressure, and safety concerns threaten journalism. Defend editorial choices in a simulation under real-time constraints.
Connect historical precedents (e.g. Pentagon Papers) to modern media controversies. Create and justify their own ethical scenarios — building metacognitive awareness of media decision making. Suggested Uses in Class Use the video + discussion to launch the unit and anchor historical/legal context. Assign the RSF webquest for research, group work, or remote class. Deliver the case study slideshow in small-group rotations or with think-pair-share. Use You Be the Editor simulation as a culminating exercise or benchmark. Incorporate the article lesson as follow-up / extension tying real events to ethics. This bundle can be taught over 3–5 class periods or even across two weeks if you want deeper reflection and expansion.
Designed for grades 9th – 12th.
Starmaker English and Journalism Tools 
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