Questions

1. What do you infer from these headlines? (After reading the headlines, what do you think is the purpose of this new federal government office?)

2. Many people just read the headlines. Some read the headline and first paragraph of a news story. How does the first paragraph from the following change your understanding about the purpose of VOICE? (What false impression did the headlines give you about the Trump administration’s view of all immigrants?)

NYTIMES first paragraph:

"The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday announced the creation of an office to help families that have been the victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, part of an effort by President Trump to aggressively crack down on illegal immigration."

LATIMES first paragraph:

"In the latest Trump administration effort to spotlight crimes committed by immigrants in the country illegally, the head of Homeland Security on Tuesday launched a new office to help what he said are forgotten victims."

3. Why is it important for news organizations to provide accurate headlines?

4. a) What responsibility do you think publishers/editors have to provide accurate headlines that are not misleading?
b) Having read this post, what responsibility do you think you as the reader have to read the news with discernment?

CHALLENGE: What would have been a more accurate headline?

5. The WASHINGTON POST first paragraph: 

"Stymied on his top immigration initiatives, President Donald Trump is making good on one plan that critics denounce as fearmongering and misleading: opening an office for victims of crimes committed by immigrants, although studies show immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens."

How does the first paragraph of The Washington Post story differ from those of the New York Times and Los Angeles Times?