Lesson Plan: The Post (2017) – Press Freedom and Ethical Journalism in the Digital Age

Ann S. Michaelsen

11 months ago

Grade Level: High School (Grades 11-12) / College Level
Subject: History, Civics, Media Studies, English Language Arts

Objective:

Students will analyze the historical events depicted in The Post and explore their impact on press freedom, government accountability, and ethical decision-making. They will connect the film’s themes to current events, reflecting on the role of journalism in a democratic society.

Essential Questions:

How has the relationship between the press and government evolved since the Pentagon Papers?
What new ethical dilemmas do journalists face in the digital age?
How does press freedom impact democracy in an era of misinformation and declining trust in media?
In what ways are the events depicted in The Post relevant to current issues of media independence and government transparency?

Materials:

Film: The Post (Directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks)
Handouts: Timeline of the Pentagon Papers, excerpts from the First Amendment, key facts about the Vietnam War and U.S. government secrecy. See below.
News articles related to current press freedom issues. Links below

Background Information:

The Post dramatizes the decision by The Washington Post to publish the Pentagon Papers, a classified government report revealing decades of U.S. government deception regarding the Vietnam War. Katharine Graham, portrayed by Meryl Streep, was the first female publisher of a major American newspaper. Her decision to publish, despite legal threats, became a landmark moment for press freedom in the United States. The film highlights ethical dilemmas journalists face, gender dynamics in leadership, and the balance between national security and the public’s right to know.

Current Context:

Global decline in press freedom, with 80% of the world’s population experiencing less freedom of expression in 2025 than in 2000 City University of London
Rise of digital disinformation campaigns and their impact on public trust in media.
Increasing economic pressures on traditional news outlets, leading to newsroom closures and the emergence of “news deserts”.
Trump’s Blueprint for Bending the Media Has Nixon Written All Over It. The president’s heavy-handed approach to traditional journalists has the hallmarks of an attempted crackdown 50 years ago. The New York Times
Trump called the press ‘the enemy of the people’. Now it’s time to defend ourselves

Jodie Ginsberg The Guardian
New challenges posed by artificial intelligence in journalism include ethical concerns about data privacy and algorithmic biases.

Historical Context:

The Pentagon Papers, commissioned by Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, documented U.S. political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967.
Daniel Ellsberg, a military analyst, leaked the documents to The New York Times and The Washington Post.
The Nixon administration attempted to block publication, citing national security concerns. Still, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspapers in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971), reinforcing First Amendment rights.

Lesson Procedure:

Introduction:

Begin with a class discussion: Why is freedom of the press important in a democracy?
Share key facts about the Pentagon Papers, emphasizing their significance in holding the government accountable.
Introduce The Post, noting Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Katharine Graham and her role as a pioneering female leader in media.

Viewing the Film:

Watch The Post as a class (or assign it as homework if time is limited).
Encourage students to take notes on:
- Ethical dilemmas faced by characters (Katharine Graham, Ben Bradlee, and journalists)
- Gender and power dynamics within The Washington Post Newsroom
- The tension between government secrecy and the public’s right to know

Post-Viewing Discussion:

Historical Analysis:
- What were the Pentagon Papers, and why were they controversial?
- How did The New York Times and The Washington Post challenge government censorship?
- How did Katharine Graham’s decision impact the future of investigative journalism?
Ethical Reflection:
- Should journalists publish information that could damage national security? Why or why not?
- How did personal and professional risks influence Graham’s decision?
- What would you have done in her position?
- How do modern ethical dilemmas in journalism compare to those faced in the Pentagon Papers era?
Connecting to Current Events:
- Compare the Pentagon Papers case to modern issues, such as whistleblowers like Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning.
- How has digital media changed the relationship between the press and the government?
- Discuss recent examples of journalists holding governments accountable, both in the United States and globally.

Group Activity:

Press Freedom in Today’s World
Divide students into small groups. Assign each group a current event involving press freedom (e.g., censorship in authoritarian regimes, the role of social media in exposing corruption, or government transparency in the COVID-19 pandemic). Each group will:

Summarize the event and identify the ethical dilemmas involved.
Analyze how press freedom (or lack thereof) impacted the outcome.
Present their findings to the class, comparing their case to the events in The Post.
The role of fact-checking in combating misinformation
Challenges of maintaining journalistic independence in the face of economic pressures
The impact of AI and big tech companies on journalism ethics Frontiersin.org

Assessment Options:

Essay:
- Prompt: How did the publication of the Pentagon Papers shape the role of journalism in holding government accountable? Connect the historical events depicted in The Post to a current event involving press freedom, exploring similarities and differences.
Creative Writing:
- Imagine you are a journalist facing an ethical dilemma similar to those in The Post. Write a personal reflection explaining your decision-making process and the consequences of your actions.
Debate:
- Organize a class debate on the statement: “National security concerns should never justify government censorship of the press.” Students will use historical evidence from The Post and contemporary examples to support their arguments.

Extension Activities:

Research the role of women in media leadership and compare Katharine Graham’s experiences to those of female journalists today.
Explore the Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v. United States and its lasting impact on First Amendment rights.
Invite a local journalist or media expert to discuss modern challenges facing the press, including misinformation and political pressure.

Wrap-Up/Reflection:

Conclude by revisiting the essential questions. Emphasize the ongoing importance of press freedom in protecting democracy and holding those in power accountable. Encourage students to critically evaluate the reliability of media sources and become informed, engaged citizens.

Connection to Educational Standards:

History/Social Studies: Analyze key historical events and their impact on democratic institutions.
Civics: Understand First Amendment rights and their application in real-world contexts.
Media Literacy: Evaluate the role of journalism in shaping public opinion and government policy.
English Language Arts: Develop critical thinking and communication skills through writing, discussion, and analysis of film as a text.
Technology: Understand the impact of emerging technologies on journalism and information dissemination.
Global Studies: Analyze press freedom as a global issue, comparing different national approaches and international trends.

Handouts: The_Post_Lesson_Handouts