Grade Level: High School / College
Subject: Social Studies, Civics, Media Literacy
Introduction: Why This Lesson Matters Now
The attack on press freedom is not a distant or hypothetical issue—it is happening now. Billionaires like Elon Musk are not only shaping government policies but also controlling the flow of information, attacking journalists, and influencing public opinion through media platforms they own. This growing concentration of power blurs the lines between private enterprise and public governance, raising urgent questions about transparency, accountability, and democracy itself.
To highlight this issue, we will analyze an investigative email that documents Musk’s increasing influence over the U.S. government, his political entanglements, and his direct attacks on the free press. This report reveals how his companies stand to benefit from policy changes while his media empire is used to silence criticism.
In this lesson, students will explore the consequences of corporate influence over government and media, analyze the role of a free press in holding power accountable, and develop critical thinking skills to recognize bias and misinformation. Understanding these issues is essential for anyone who values truth and democratic principles in an era where unelected individuals wield unprecedented power.
- Trump is fast dismantling the free press. We all have to stop him. Washington post
- Trump Abandons Ukraine, and Wages a War Against the Free Press. The Nation
- No, Trump Did Not ‘Bring Back Free Speech’ Time
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Analyze the impact of Elon Musk’s influence on the U.S. government and global politics.
- Evaluate the ethical implications of private individuals and corporations shaping public policy.
- Examine the role of the free press in holding powerful figures accountable and the risks of its decline.
- Develop critical thinking skills by engaging in a debate on corporate influence in governance and media control.
Essential Questions
- How does Elon Musk’s involvement in government affairs challenge traditional boundaries between private enterprise and public governance?
- What are the potential risks and benefits of corporate influence on national and international policies?
- What role does the media play in scrutinizing the actions of powerful individuals like Musk?
- What happens when billionaires and corporations control or discredit independent journalism?
- How can citizens ensure transparency and accountability in government and media?
Lesson Structure
1. Urgent Opening Discussion: “What If There Was No Free Press?” (Class Discussion / Think-Pair-Share)
- Ask students: What is the role of a free press in a democracy?
- Discuss the potential consequences if investigative journalism disappeared.
- Present real-world examples where governments or corporations have silenced the press.
- Introduce Elon Musk’s history of attacking journalists and his ownership of X (formerly Twitter), where he has blocked or suppressed media outlets.
- Have students predict: What happens when those in power control both government influence and the media?
2. Background Information: Elon Musk’s Growing Political Power and Media Control (Teacher-Led Presentation)
Provide an overview of Elon Musk’s businesses and political influence, covering:
- His companies: Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, Starlink, and X (formerly Twitter).
- His growing role in shaping U.S. government policies, including regulatory changes, defense contracts, and foreign relations.
- His attempts to discredit traditional media, attack journalists, and promote narratives that favor his interests.
- The ethical concerns about billionaires influencing both government policies and public discourse.
- The global ramifications of corporate-controlled media.
3. Investigative Activity: “Dissecting the Email” (Group Analysis of Primary Sources)
- Present students with the email received from an investigative journalist about Musk’s influence. Found at the end of this lesson plan.
- Divide the class into groups and assign sections of the email to analyze.
- Each group will identify key claims, evidence, and the tone of the message.
- Groups will also discuss Musk’s response to the press and whether his attacks on media organizations undermine journalistic integrity.
Each group should:
- Summarize their assigned portion of the email.
- Identify the biases, perspectives, and agendas present.
- Present their findings to the class.
4. Urgent Debate: “Is Elon Musk a Threat to Democracy and a Free Press?”
Split the class into two teams:
- Team A (Affirmative): Musk’s influence over government, technology, and media poses a serious threat to democracy and press freedom.
- Team B (Negative): Musk’s actions are driven by innovation and business success, and the media is biased against him.
Students will research, form arguments, and engage in a structured debate.
5. Reflection & Call to Action: How Can We Protect a Free Press?
- Exit Ticket: Students write a one-paragraph response to the question:
What can ordinary citizens do to protect press freedom and prevent billionaires from controlling public discourse? - Extended Writing Assignment:
Students choose one of the following topics for a research-based essay:- The role of investigative journalism in holding power accountable.
- The dangers of corporate control over news and social media platforms.
- Historical examples of media suppression and their consequences for democracy.
Assessment & Evaluation
- Participation in discussions and debate.
- Group analysis of primary sources.
- Written reflections and essays.
Extensions & Cross-Curricular Connections
- History: Compare Musk’s influence to past figures who have used media control for political gain.
- Economics: Discuss the financial incentives behind corporate media ownership.
- Media Studies: Analyze how different news organizations report on Musk and corporate influence.
Final Thought: The Role of Journalism in Safeguarding Democracy
The email analyzed in this lesson is just one example of the battle between journalism and billionaires who seek to control the narrative. Journalists and media organizations are under increasing pressure as corporate power grows. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for maintaining a free press, an informed public, and a functioning democracy.
By studying Musk’s influence and the media’s response, students will gain the tools to critically assess news, recognize propaganda, and advocate for truth in an era of information warfare.
Investigative Email:
*Hi Ann S.,
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is on an unelected rampage through the US government – with ramifications for the whole world.
Musk’s political entanglements – from his demolition of US foreign aid to his increasing sway over regulatory decisions and firing of thousands of federal workers – reveal a concerted effort to shape the United States government in ways that blur the line between private enterprise and public governance. It comes at a time when Musk has been widely criticised for his support of the far right globally, including in the UK and Germany.
One thing is clear above all else: Musk’s simultaneous influence on government, technology and the media demands serious, sustained scrutiny.
It is my team’s job to document Musk’s claims of “maximum transparency” and hold him accountable to the truth – no matter how many tweets he fires off in a day (145, last we checked).
Already, we have exclusively revealed how he helped his acolytes infiltrate USAid, exposed how private companies – including Musk’s own – stand to benefit from his gutting of government agencies, and documented precisely how the Doge head has laid waste to the US government.
Of course, Musk does not like to be presented with the reality of his own words and actions.
He has taken repeated aim at The Guardian on his social network in the past, calling us “trash”, “utterly unreadable”, “grovelling propaganda”, and even raging that we should be on trial.
We get under Elon Musk’s skin precisely because of the truth of our work. We believe in the necessity of a principled free press that doesn’t genuflect to power or shower it with likes, but rather seeks to hold it to account.*
I do support The Guardian by the way