Summary
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to pay nearly $1 billion for the lies he spread about the Sandy Hook school massacre in 2012. Jones falsely claimed the attack was a hoax and accused a grieving parent of being an actor in the days after the murders. For a transcript of this story, click here . You may also choose another story from the newscast by clicking the link below and answering the following questions:
Five Facts
- Who are some of the individuals or groups of people mentioned in the news summary?
- What stories are covered?
- Where and When do some of the stories take place?
- Why did the event(s) take place?
- How do you think the NewsHour’s producers decided which stories made it into the news summary?
Focus Questions
See, Think, Wonder : What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more? Media literacy: Who else do you think should have been interviewed in the story you watched?For More
What students can do : Learn more about the history of conspiracy theories and why people believe them by taking a look at the lesson plans below. Talk with a family member or classmate about how conspiracy theories are sowing disunity in America and how that makes you feel.

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