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Write the word “news” on the board and ask students where they get their news. As they offer responses, build a word web around the word news. Move their focus to discussion of hard news. What newscasts do they prefer to watch if any? Have the students identify the programs as American or Canadian. Which do they prefer? Why? Have they noted any difference in the coverage of the same story? Have students explain major differences.

Explain that they will have the opportunity to test their findings by comparing American and Canadian media coverage of Hurricane Hazel.

Provide students with the Download Sheet for this activity (Hurricane Hazel: Two Countries). Have students view and listen to Clip 1 and Clip 3 in the Hurrican Hazel topic, and record their comments and observations on the chart.

Working in pairs or small groups, have the students exchange their sheets. Ask them to share reactions to what their partners have recorded. Then bring the class together and ask for a summary analysis of their observations. Focus on the major similarities and differences in the American and Canadian news coverage. How might these similarities and differences be explained? Ask students which broadcast they prefer and why? If time and interest permit, you might consider the issue of how private versus public broadcasting might shape the presentation of a news story.

Have students compare and contrast a current American and a current Canadian broadcast of the same international news story. Are the similarities and differences comparable to those noted in the coverage of Hurricane Hazel? Are they more similar to or less similar than the Hazel broadcasts? Explain.