Spring 2010: Producers Create “Citizen McCaw 2 DVD Learning Resource” for Free Distribution to 500 Journalism Education Programs Nationwide
Posted on March 9, 2010
The Producers of Citizen McCaw (l to r) Chuck Minsky, Rod Lathim, Sam Tyler, Peter Seaman, and Brent Sumner have created and distributed for free to every journalism school in America a new ethics teaching resource.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE CITIZEN MCCAW STUDY GUIDE HERE
Educators: Contact Professor Susan Paterno of Chapman University, the guide’s author, for classroom ideas at paterno@chapman.edu
A note from the producers to journalism educators throughout America …
In 2006, a disturbing drama began to unfold in our hometown of Santa Barbara, California. The super rich publisher of our local newspaper declared ‘war’ on her editors and staff and embroiled the whole town in a bitter, litigious, and mutually destructive battle that continues today, years after it began. Big money, celebrities, demonstrations, 1st amendment rights, lawyers, trials, unionization by the Teamsters, more lawyers, even allegations of child pornography. The story had it all. Except one thing. Someone to tell it.
The Santa Barbara News-Press’ refusal to report on itself (at least in any meaningful, balanced way) was the motivation for us, a group of local filmmakers, to step forward and make sure the story got told. Citizen McCaw, which premiered in 2008, is the result.
We are giving our film and a companion learning DVD to 500 journalism programs all over the country in hopes that educators and students will use this ‘cautionary tale’ as inspiration. In the film, veteran reporter Sander Vanocur says about future journalists, “We need you. The country needs you.”
The crucial ethical issues involved in the News-Press story are textbook. But the personalities, passions, and dramatic turn of events in Citizen McCaw bring them to life in a real and compelling way. Every journalism student should have the opportunity to learn about and reflect upon what happened in Santa Barbara.
If you, as a journalism educator did not receive your free Citizen McCaw 2 DVD Learning Resource, or if you need additional copies, please contact us.
