Murrow Symposium > The Murrow Standard with Sarah Kneller: Question Everything – How Curiosity Changed the Game

The Murrow Standard with Sarah Kneller: Question Everything – How Curiosity Changed the Game

Speaker: Sarah Kneller

Length of Lesson: 90 minutes

  • 10 minute warmup
  • 50 minute video
  • 30 minute discussion
  • Optional Activities:
    • Broadcast Breakdown (30 minutes)
    • Rewrite the Narrative (20 minutes)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Understand how technological innovation shapes modern media experiences.
  • Analyze how esports broadcasting redefines traditional storytelling techniques.
  • Evaluate the ethical responsibilities of media creators in immersive and digital spaces.
  • Reflect on how community engagement intersects with content creation and digital entertainment.

1. Pre-Video Activity (10 minutes)

“Esports, Streaming & Storytelling: What Do You Know?”

Instructions:

Before watching the keynote, students will respond to 3 warm-up prompts in small groups or individually.

Prompts:

  • What’s the difference between playing a game and watching someone else play a game? Why do millions watch?
  • Have you ever watched an esports event or video game stream? What made it interesting (or not)?
  • What do you think a “story” looks like in an esports broadcast compared to traditional news?

Goal:

Encourage students to think about how technology, entertainment, and media merge—and what expectations they already carry into the viewing experience.

Optional Extension:

Create a short word cloud using responses to “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘esports’?” using tools like Mentimeter or Jamboard.

2. Play Video

3. Post-Viewing Discussion Questions

  1. What does Sarah Kneller mean by “rewriting the playbook,” and how does that apply to both esports and traditional journalism?
  2. How has esports broadcasting challenged or expanded the definition of storytelling in media?
  3. Kneller highlights the importance of viewer immersion and engagement. How does this affect journalistic integrity in storytelling?
  4. In what ways do real-time audience feedback and participation influence editorial decisions in digital media?
  5. How can community-building efforts in gaming and esports inform strategies in news media?
  6. What ethical considerations arise when entertainment and journalism intersect, especially in immersive platforms?
  7. How does Kneller’s work reflect a shift in media from being content-driven to experience-driven?
  8. What role does authenticity play in digital storytelling, according to Kneller’s keynote?
  9. How can students interested in media careers prepare for roles that may not yet exist?
  10. What parallels can be drawn between esports producers and investigative journalists in terms of responsibility and audience trust?

Optional Activity 1: Broadcast Breakdown

Objective

Identify and deconstruct elements of live esports broadcast.

Instructions:

  • Watch a 10-minute segment from The International – Dota 2 Championships (2018–2022).
  • Students work in pairs to identify:
    • Story structure (intro, climax, resolution)
    • Use of graphics and live data
    • Audience engagement methods
    • Roles of on-air talent vs. producers
  • Each pair presents how these elements compare to a traditional TV news segment.

Optional Activity 2: Rewrite the Narrative

Objective

Practice innovation in storytelling by adapting a traditional news story for an interactive platform.

Instructions:

  • Choose a news article on a current event.
  • Students must reimagine the story for a live-stream or esports-style format:
    • What would the visual experience be?
    • How could the audience participate?
    • How would storytelling adapt to retain accuracy and interest?
  • Present prototypes or pitches to the class.

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