This week, our class explored an important question: “Is media fair?”
We’ve been learning that media—whether it’s advertisements, news stories, movies, or even comic books—is created by people, and people have bias. This doesn’t always mean something is “bad” or “wrong,” but it does remind us that every message comes from a particular point of view. That’s why it’s so important to think critically about what we see, hear, and read—and to always check multiple sources before believing something as fact.
To start off, we did a fun activity:
I asked students to describe Santa Claus to the person next to them. What does he wear? What does he say? What words would you use to describe him?
We then compared two different images of Santa from different times and cultures. The students were surprised to see how differently he was portrayed—sometimes as a slim, saintly figure, and other times as the jolly, red-suited character we all recognize today. This helped us realise how much media shapes our ideas and how these ideas can change over time based on what a society values or who’s creating the message.
We then moved into a discussion that really made us think.
I asked, “How many female superheroes can you name?” After some thought, we counted just nine. When I asked for male superheroes, we lost track after naming more than twenty!
The students were genuinely surprised by this difference and began thinking about how representation in media affects the way we see gender roles and power.
To finish off, we explored how advertisements can also be biased or misleading. We looked closely at McDonald’s ads and compared the glossy, perfect-looking burgers on screen to what the real product actually looks like.
For our create task, students designed their own “Truth in Advertising” posters—alternative versions of ads that showed what the products are really like. The creativity and honesty in their work were fantastic!
Through this lesson, students learned that media is never completely neutral—and that understanding who created it, and why, helps us see the full picture.
Next time you see an ad, comic, or movie, ask yourself:
Who created this—and what message are they trying to share?
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