Audience:  Grade 10 civics
Length of Time: Approximately 90 -120 minutes

Overview:
Students will go through the steps of conducting their own press conference on a current provincial political topic. They will research and then take on the roles of MPPs and journalists in a press conference setting.

Objective:
Students will gain an understanding of the role of media in government accountability to the public through media reporting. 

Learning Outcomes:
Students will:

• Identify media outlets in major cities in Ontario as well as their community
• Identify Ontario Cabinet Ministers and learn about their role(s)
• Gain understanding of how a press conference is conducted
• Gain knowledge of government accountability
• Practice public speaking and communication skills

Curriculum Links:
Political Inquiry and Skill Development

• Formulate different types of questions to guide investigations into issues, events and/or developments of civic importance (A1.1)
• Selected and organize relevant evidence, data, and information on issues, events and/or developments of civic importance from a variety of primary and secondary sources (A1.2)
• Assess the credibility of sources relevant to their investigations (A1.3)
• Communicate their ideas, arguments and conclusions using various formats and styles (A1.7)
• Use appropriate terminology when communicating the results of their investigations (A1.9)

Civic Awareness

• Explain why it is important for people to engage in civic action (B1.3)
• Identify the political parties in Canada and their position on the political spectrum (B2.1)
• Explain, with reference to issues of civic importance, how various groups and institutions can influence government policy (B2.4)

Civic Contributions

• Describe a variety of ways in which they could make a civic contribution (C1.2)
• Explain how various actions can contribute to the common good (C1.3)
• Describe various ways in which people can access information about civic matters (C2.3)

Background Information

Press Conferences at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario can be held for a variety of reasons by a variety of people:

• A Cabinet Minister wants to announce a new government policy or initiative
• An MPP wants to announce something significant that has happened or will happen in their riding
• An Opposition MPP wants to request something of the government or bring public awareness to an issue
• An Office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, such as the Ombudsman or the Auditor General wants to present a report that they have prepared
• Interest groups or lobby groups want to bring awareness to an issue (these groups require a Member of Provincial Parliament to sponsor their press conference)

The Keys to a successful Press Conference

Define your goals:

• What do you want to say?
• Why do you want to announce it?
• Who do you want to say it to? 
• What are you hoping will come from your press conference?

Some goals might include:

• Sending a message to a decision maker about something you want to happen
• Get publicity about something you’ve done or an issue you feel is important
• Get more people involved in what you’re doing
• Informing the public about a decision that has been made. You may be for or against this decision and will provide information accordingly

Choose a time, a date and the location for your Press Conference
The classroom or a small auditorium can be used. The media usually sits facing the presenter (usually standing) or panel (usually seated) making the presentation.

Presentation Skills 101
Speaking in public can be unnerving. It’s a common fear but it’s essential when delivering an effective press conference. The easiest way to present eloquently is to practice. It’s a good idea to have notes to refer to but you should know your topic well enough that notes are not necessary. Reading entirely off of a sheet should be avoided if at all possible. Being yourself and engaging your audience (the media) will make for a more successful event.

The role of the moderator
A moderator is someone who keeps the press conference on track. This person makes sure the event begins on time, and ensures that the questions being asked by the media stay on topic and are relevant to the information being presented. The media is given an opportunity to ask their questions at the end of the presentation. The moderator will select a reporter to stand and ask his or her question. Depending on the question the reporter may have an opportunity to ask a follow up question to the response.

Prepare background materials
Typically, one or two pages of information is handed out to all of the journalists moments before the press conference begins. This document includes information that may be difficult to remember like statistics and the key messages. It is read by journalists quickly before the press conference begins and helps them to formulate their questions, tweet or post fast facts about what is happening and is used later when writing longer articles about the topic.

Be prepared for all questions
While the moderator is there to keep questions relevant to your topic, it’s important to be prepared to answer all (and sometimes tough) questions about your presentation. Have a list of all statistics handy and refer to them as needed. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t make it up. You will likely be on camera and people will be quoting what you say. If you’re not absolutely if something is true or not do not pass it off as fact but instead say something to the effect of: “We believe that…” or “We feel that…” If you get stuck and don’t know the answer to a question be honest and say that while you don’t have that information with you, you’d be happy to do some research and get back to the person that asked.
 

• The Canadian Political Spectrum

• Current Bills

Homework Preparation: A week in advance ask students to research 3 current provincial issues to be discussed in class. Students can access information about provincial issues through print media, television and radio, watching the Legislative Channel on TV or online when the Legislature is in session.

Introductory Discussion (15 minutes)

• What current issues and bills have been discussed lately at the Provincial Legislature?
• Discuss the need for press conferences. When they are used, how, where and why.
• Discuss the role of the media at the press conference. What types of media would attend a press conference at the Legislature?  What are some of the dominant media outlets in large cities like Ottawa and Toronto? What are some of the local media outlets? What is bias and does it exist in media?
• Review the Canadian political spectrum [above]

Hold a Press Conference (50 - 65 minutes)

Part 1: Preparation (20-30 minutes)

• Review the keys to a successful press conference [link]
• Divide the class into groups (about 10 per group is ideal). Each group will have one MPP/party, one moderator, and the rest of the students will be journalists. Each journalist will represent a different media outlet. Right wing, left wing and centrist points of view should be represented. (2-3 from each point of view) The press conference could be mounted with imaginary outlets each with a Conservative, Liberal or NDP leaning.
• Each group will then choose the topic of their press conference based on those brought forward during the introductory discussion. Topics should relate to an issue that is a responsibility of the provincial government (i.e. education, healthcare, transportation).
• Both the journalists and the MPPs should review the topic selected, and prepare either their presentation or questions for the press conference
• Each journalist will compose 2 questions based on their political leaning.

Part 2: Hold the press conference (20 minutes/group)

• Presentations should take approx. 15-25 minutes each.
• 5-10 minutes for the MPP presentation and 10-15 minutes for questions and answers

 Group Discussion (10-15 minutes)

• Do press conferences make the government accountable? If so, how?
• Can a press conference really affect government policy?
• What was effective about the class’ press conferences?
• What could have been done to make them more effective? 

Additional Activities:

• Students not presenting could also act as a film crew and film the press conference for another group.
• Students can write a press release or an article for the local newspaper with their view on the provincial issue covered in the class press conference or another provincial political issue.
• A film club or communications technology class could film the press conferences.