Newspapers

Your country, called Utopia, has decided to re-write the rules concerning newspapers and
how their journalists behave. Your group has been selected to discuss these issues and
to make decisions about how newspapers should operate in Utopia.

Look at the questions below. Discuss them with your partners. If you don’t agree with
your partners, tell them why you hold your opinion and listen carefully to what they have to
say in response. Try to reach agreement with them on what the rules should be for both
newspapers and journalists.

 Recently in the UK, private photographs of members of the British Royal Family
were taken secretly during private parties by newspaper photographers. These
embarrassing photos appeared in newspapers abroad but were banned from British
newspapers.

 Should newspapers in Utopia be banned from publishing photos or news

stories about famous people like the Utopian Royal Family? Why? Why
not?
 Should there be different guidelines depending on whether someone is a
public figure or an ordinary member of the public?
 Should there be any guidelines on what is acceptable in terms of bad
language, the use of ‘shocking’ photos etc? If so, what guidelines should
there be?

 Recently, a story appeared in the British newspapers which caused a politician to

lose his job. This story was later proved to be false.

 Should what appears in the Utopian newspapers be controlled by the

government?
If yes, in what circumstances?
If no, why not?
 Should the Utopian government be allowed to publish lies during times of
war (and peace)? Why? Why not?

 Journalists sometimes behave in certain ways to ensure they get a good story for
their newspapers. Are any of these actions acceptable in your opinion for Utopian
journalists?

 To record a conversation with someone without that person knowing they are
being
recorded.
 To pay someone money for their story.
 To obtain a quote from someone and then change it.
 To lie or deceive someone in order to get a good story.
 To promise to keep someone’s identity secret in exchange for information
from them.
Newspapers
 Should journalists have guidelines about how to behave in very sensitive situations,
for example:

 Should a journalist contact the parents of a student who has committed

suicide at
university for an interview?
 Should there be guidelines for journalists when interviewing children?
 Should journalists be able to secretly listen in to private phone
conversations?

 If a newspaper in Utopia publishes a story about someone, should that person have
the right to reply in the next edition of the newspaper? Why? Why not?

You will now be given the opportunity to present your new rules concerning newspapers to
the rest of the group. Be prepared to defend your decisions!

Your tutor will now give you a copy of a British newspaper. In your group, find an article
which breaks the journalistic rules for Utopia.