This month, the News Council is reaching out to Minnesota high schools, offering its free mock hearing program to English and journalism teachers across the state.  Made possible in part by a generous grant from Target, the News Council has developed a curriculum that is currently being used in some high school and college classrooms throughout the state.  The mock hearing project aims to introduce journalism students to the news council concept and to start them thinking about the real-life ethical dilemmas faced by working journalists.

Robbie Johnson, retired teacher from Mahtomedi High School, says “ the mock trial program helped my journalism students learn the value of fairness in reporting by being exposed to real claims which have been brought before the council.”  Johnson currently serves on the Council and is working to revitalize the mock trial program for high school students.

A mock hearing proceeds much like an actual hearing. Students prepare for the hearing by reading the complaint’s background, the articles in question, the complaint, the news outlet’s response, and the questions upon which council members will vote.  News Council volunteers, or the students, play the part of the complainant and news outlet.  Student “council members” listen to the parties present the complaint and response, ask questions of the parties, and deliberate the complaint.  The class then votes on the hearing question, and can compare their results to those of the actual News Council hearing.

If you are interested in learning more about the mock hearing project, or would like to bring it to a school in your area, please contact Sarah Bauer.