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A Note for Teachers

Facing History and Ourselves is an educational charity providing teaching resources to help young people develop as empathetic, critical thinkers, who understand the role they can play in shaping society for the better. We believe that civic agency is developed through intellectual rigour, emotional engagement and ethical reflection. Learn more about us on our website.

This PowerPoint presentation has been created to be used in a KS3, KS4, S1, S2, S3, S4 assembly on World Press Freedom Day.

While you may need to modify this presentation to meet the needs of your students, please note that Facing History and Ourselves does not endorse your changes that alter the presentation's content or original layout.

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World Press Freedom Day

Assembly

Facing History UK Assemblies

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Essential Question

What is World Press Freedom Day and why does it matter?

#Changestartswithme

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World Press Freedom Day

What is World Press Freedom Day and why does it matter?

Madison Inouye

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What is World Press Freedom Day?

World Press Freedom Day takes place on 3 May. It was first held in 1994.
It is an opportunity for us to consider why press freedom matters and what role a free press plays within a democracy.
It is also an opportunity for governments to reaffirm their commitment to press freedom and to honour journalists who have lost their lives whilst reporting on stories.
The theme for 2025 is ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media’.

Brotin Biswas

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The Importance of a Free Press

Why does a free press matter?

How might Artificial Intelligence impact press freedom and the news?

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The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on

Press Freedom and the Media

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization chose this theme to highlight how AI is transforming journalism by:

Providing tools that help investigative reporting, content creation and fact-checking;
Making processes like writing and data analysis quicker;
Helping the translation of content into multiple languages;
Creating problems like AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, and biased content moderation;
Causing surveillance threats to journalists that may impact their safety, their ability to work and freedom of expression;
Leading to less paid work for journalists as they are replaced by AI;
Reducing diversity in the media as a select amount of AI tools are used;
Impacting democracy, elections and the ability of the media to hold people in power to account.

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Video: Artificial Intelligence

and the Future of Journalism

As you watch the video, think about the following questions:

How will Channel 1 create its news content?

What do you think about this process?

What concerns do journalists have about AI?
How can AI benefit journalism?
How might it impact the news people consume?
What do you think needs to be done to ensure that AI’s impact on journalism and the media is positive?

What safeguards need to be in place?

Watch the video here

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Types of Harmful Information

Misinformation (noun): False or inaccurate information that is spread by people who do not realise it is false or misleading.
Disinformation (noun): False or inaccurate information that is intentionally spread to mislead and manipulate people, often to make money, cause trouble or gain influence.
Mal-information (noun): Information that is based on the truth, although it may be exaggerated or presented out of context, that is shared with an intent to attack an idea, individual, organisation or country, etc.
Deepfake (noun): A term used to describe a video, image or sound recording that is fake and has been generated using artificial intelligence.

What might lead some people to create and share disinformation, mal-information and deep fakes?

Why might people believe them?

What might impact might these types of information and deep fakes have on the news and journalism? On individuals? On society?
What examples of misinformation, disinformation, mal-information and deep fakes have you seen or heard about?

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Video: How AI and

deepfakes are changing politics

As you watch the video, think about the following questions:

How can deepfakes and AI impact the news?
How, if at all, do you think deepfakes and generative AI should be used by public figures?
What are the risks posed to society if people use AI and deepfakes?

Watch the video here

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Tips for Avoiding

Falling for False Information

Develop Healthy Scepticism: Be aware that you cannot trust everything you read, hear and see, and find reputable news sources that can be fact-checked.
Do Not Create or Share Mal-information: Sharing true or exaggerated information with the intent to harm someone is never acceptable.
Engage with a Range of Views: Compare how they report on the same events.
Be Aware of Your Biases
Shape What You Consume: Avoid clickbait and shape your social media algorithm through active engagement (likes/follows), and try to consume diverse views.
Check Your Emotional Response: If your have been triggered, you might be being manipulated.
Verify Information Before Sharing
Stay Alert and Check for Accuracy: People are more likely to share and believe misinformation if they are distracted. Limit your time on social media and be a conscious scroller.
Counter Your Negativity Bias: Look for positive stories in the news.
Avoid the Lure of Simplicity: Be wary of those who offer simple solutions to complex problems and who blame groups in society for problems.
Avoid Engaging with Trolls and Bots

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Exit Ticket

Take a moment to think about the following:

A free press matters because _____�_____________________________________.

Artificial Intelligence may impact the press and media by ___________�_____________________________________.

To avoid falling for false information I can_________________________________.

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