Digital Media Week 5 Class 1

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a major challenge faced by digital media platforms?

• Trust crisis due to amplified facts and fiction

• Unlimited publishing time

• Lack of audience expectations

• Guaranteed accuracy in all content

Multiple Choice

Scenario 1: Viral Video on Campus

A short TikTok goes viral claiming: “JWU is shutting down classes for a week because of a burst pipe.”

You’re writing a quick story for your campus digital outlet. What should you do first?

• Publish the claim immediately to be the first to break the news.

• Share the TikTok in your article but add, “Unverified.”

• Check for an official statement from the university or facilities before including it.

• Ask your roommate if they heard the same thing.

Multiple Choice

Scenario 2: Celebrity Sighting

A student tweets, “Just saw a famous actor filming a movie on campus!” It’s already being retweeted hundreds of times.

What’s the best way to handle this as a digital reporter?

• Report it immediately as fact.

• Use the tweet but clearly label it as a student claim while trying to confirm.

• Ignore it — social media is never reliable.

• Make up extra details to keep it interesting.

Multiple Choice

Scenario 3: Conflicting Numbers

A protest happens outside the library.

Local news reports 100 attendees.

A student activist says 300.

You counted about 150.

What’s the most responsible reporting choice?

• Pick the largest number to make the story more dramatic.

• Use only your own count.

• Report your observation while noting other reported figures for transparency.

• Skip numbers altogether to avoid criticism.

Multiple Choice

According to the Poynter Institute, how much faster does misinformation spread online compared to verified facts?

• 70% faster

• 30% slower

• At the same rate

• Twice as fast

Multiple Select

Which of the following are key characteristics of a credible source?

• Expertise

• Objectivity

• Popularity

• Evidence-Based Claims

Poll

Scenario 1 – Breaking Campus News

You see a student’s Instagram story showing water leaking in a JWU dorm with the caption: “Our building is flooding, no one’s helping us!”
At the same time, the Facilities Office posts on Facebook: “A minor leak is being repaired in Xavier Hall. No students are displaced.”

Question: Which is more reliable for a story, and how might you use each?

• Instagram story is more reliable

• Facilities Facebook post is more reliable

• Both are equally reliable

• Neither is reliable

Campus Flood Rumor

• The Instagram story offers an eyewitness account but may exaggerate.

• Facilities is an official source, but it may minimize the problem.

• In digital reporting, the best approach is to use both with attribution: “Students reported flooding on social media, but Facilities described it as a minor leak.”

• The point isn’t choosing just one; it’s balancing immediacy (student voice) and authority (official statement).

Poll

Scenario 2 – Celebrity Sighting

A verified Twitter account posts: “Big concert coming to JWU this fall!”
A local entertainment blog says: “Rumor has it Beyoncé will perform at JWU.”

Question: Which is more reliable for a story, and how might you use each?

• Twitter post is more reliable

• Blog rumor is more reliable

• Both are equally reliable

• Neither is reliable

Poll

Scenario 4 – Protest Attendance

During a protest, a student activist’s tweet says: “500 students showed up today!”
The local newspaper reports: “Police estimate 200 people attended.”

Question: How do you handle the conflicting numbers?

• The activist’s number is more reliable

• The police estimate is more reliable

• Both are equally reliable

• Neither is reliable

Poll

Scenario 4 – Health Claim

A viral TikTok says: “Energy drinks boost memory by 50%.”
CDC website says: “Energy drinks can increase heart rate and anxiety, especially among college students.”

• TikTok is more reliable

• CDC is more reliable

• Both are equally reliable

• Neither is reliable

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes 'lateral reading verification'?

• Cross-referencing facts across multiple reliable sources

• Reading a single article thoroughly

• Relying on social media opinions

• Ignoring background information

Multiple Choice

Scenario: Interviewing a Student Athlete

You’re interviewing a JWU student athlete about a big win in the championship game.

Which question is likely to give you a richer, more quotable response for your digital article?

• “Were you happy about the win?”

• “How did it feel to be on the court in the final moments of the game?”

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT one of the five characteristics of good interviewing according to Renee Hobbs' journalism framework?

• Preparation

• Active Listening

• Strategic Persistence

• Time Management

Multiple Select

Which of the following are important aspects of handling digital interview challenges?

• Technical Preparedness

• Professional Voicemails

• Privacy and Consent

• Dress Code

Multiple Choice

What are the three steps for using quotes effectively as described in the lesson?

• Strategic Selection, Clear Attribution, Seamless Integration

• Preparation, Active Listening, Respectful Approach

• Technical Preparedness, Professional Voicemails, Privacy and Consent

• Clear Communication, Strategic Persistence, Respectful Approach

Multiple Choice

Scenario: Protest Coverage

You’re writing about a JWU protest.

Quote A (Student): “It feels like the administration doesn’t listen to us.”

Quote B (University): “We’re committed to balancing quality with affordability.”

Poll Question:
What’s the best way to use these quotes?

• Use only Quote A

• Use only Quote B

• Use both to show the tension

• Use neither

Multiple Choice

You’re writing about a JWU basketball upset.

Quote A: “Yes, I’m happy we won.”

Quote B: “The final buzzer felt unreal — we’ve been practicing for this moment all season.”

Which quote makes your story more compelling?

• Quote A

• Quote B

Multiple Choice

Integrating Sources

You have two sources for a piece on rising meal costs:

Student quote: “It feels like the administration doesn’t care about us.”

University statement: “We’re working to keep dining affordable while covering rising supply costs.”

Question:
What’s the best way to use these?

• Use only the student quote

• Use only the university statement

• Use both to show the contrast

• Use neither

Multiple Choice

Paraphrasing vs. Direct Quote

A professor says:
“AI will likely reshape higher education, not replace professors. Instead, we’ll adapt teaching methods to incorporate new tools.”

What’s the best way to integrate this into your article?

• Quote it all directly

• Paraphrase the main point and use a shorter quote

• Skip it entirely

Multiple Choice

Using Social Media as a Source

You see a TikTok with a shaky video of a campus blackout. You also have an official JWU Facilities email: “Power outage lasted 8 minutes. No injuries reported.”

How should you use these sources?

• Only use the TikTok

• Only use the email

• Use both together

• Use neither

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for avoiding common pitfalls when using quotes in digital storytelling?

• Overusing direct quotations without analysis

• Balancing quotes with your own context

• Verifying quotes for accuracy

• Providing sufficient context around quotes

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the process of transforming digital media skills from theory to practice?

• Applying skills through hands-on activities and continuous improvement

• Reading about digital media techniques only

• Watching others use digital media

• Ignoring feedback and reflection

Multiple Choice

Which of the following are challenges journalists face when using social media as a source?

• Misinformation and Disinformation

• Lack of Context

• Authenticity

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Poll 1 – Celebrity News

A tweet claims: “Taylor Swift just walked into Providence Place Mall.”

Question:
What’s the best verification step?

• Check if the account is parody/fan or verified

• Share it right away — Swifties will want to know

• Assume it’s real because the tweet has 5,000 likes

• DM the user and ask them to prove it

Multiple Choice

Weather Event

A TikTok shows “flooding in downtown Providence” with dramatic footage.

Poll Question:
How do you verify it’s current?

• Check if local news/weather outlets are reporting the same thing

• Share it because the visuals are powerful

• Trust it because the user tagged Providence

• Assume it’s true if friends repost it

Multiple Choice

Sports Update

An Instagram story says: “The Celtics game is delayed because a fan ran onto the court.”

What’s the best next step?

• Look for confirmation from official NBA or Celtics accounts

• Repost the story for clicks

• Assume it’s accurate because the person is at the arena

• Wait until it trends before using it

Multiple Choice

Viral Food Trend

A YouTuber claims: “Starbucks is secretly pulling pumpkin spice lattes early this year.”

How should you verify?

• Check Starbucks’ official website or press releases

• Assume it’s true because the influencer has 1M subscribers

• Share it with a disclaimer “rumor”

• Ask a barista friend if it’s happening

Multiple Choice

Which social media platform is most likely to require deepfake verification due to its predominantly video-based content?

• X (formerly Twitter)

• Facebook/Instagram

• TikTok

• Reddit

Multiple Select

Which of the following are important legal and ethical issues to consider when using social media content?

• Copyright

• Privacy

• Consent

• Attribution

Fill in the Blanks

Open Ended

How can journalists ensure they are using primary sources effectively in digital journalism?

Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of proper attribution in ethical sourcing practices?

• To avoid plagiarism

• To credit sources accurately and explicitly

• To manage off-the-record agreements

• To increase the length of the article

Multiple Choice

What are some key reasons why sourcing and interviewing are important in digital media?

• Trust crisis, speed vs accuracy, and audience expectations

• Advertising revenue, social media trends, and viral content

• Graphic design, video editing, and animation skills

• Search engine optimization, clickbait headlines, and meme creation

Word Cloud

“What are the most important things in your life right now?”

JWU Word Cloud Interviews

Goal: Write a short article titled “The Most Important Things in the Life of JWU Students.”

1. Word Cloud: Submit 2–3 important things in your life.

2. Pick Topics: Each person chooses 5 words (not their own).

3. Interview: In groups of 3, ask 5 open-ended questions based on your chosen words.

4. Quote Everyone: Collect at least one strong quote from each group member.

5. Group Article: Draft one mini-article together using 3+ quotes (all members included).

Homework:

1. Write a short review (350–400 words) of a film, TV show, podcast, game, beauty or tech product of your choice.

   • Follow the structure we covered in class (hook, context, summary, analysis, verdict).

   • Include specific examples to support your evaluation.

   • End with a clear verdict (recommendation, rating, or takeaway).

2. Draft a social media promo for your review:

   • 1–2 sentences max.

   • Think about brevity, hook, and tone.

   • Imagine it as a tweet, TikTok caption, or Instagram post teaser that would make someone want to click and read/watch your full review.