Thinking about Journalism 3

Course Content:

This module completes a series in which students develop their critical understanding of
the function of journalism, its place in society and its ethical, legal, technological and
commercial framework.

It builds on material on the nature, history and purpose of journalism covered in earlier
modules to critically examine how the UK media has risen to the challenge of reflecting
and representing the ever more socially and culturally diverse Britain of today ? as well
as its duty to accurately and impartially report on foreign affairs and conflicts.

Students will examine the impact of social, technological and commercial changes on the
practice and business of journalism. They will look at how blogging, Twitter, Facebook,
online forums, collaborative investigative sites and other channels for citizen journalism
are democratising media ?output? by enabling ?audiences? to contribute to and/or contest
the narratives constructed by professional reporters and elites.
Students will also learn about the changing economies of the journalism industry, as it is
buffeted by commercial pressures including the decline of conventional advertising, the
increasing plurality of media forms, changing audience demands and expectations, and
the rise of news aggregating websites and cheap ?content? over costly original reporting.

Other topics covered include:
? The diversifying social and cultural framework of Britain
? Delivering journalism in a diverse society
? Technological issues and developments affecting journalism
? Commercial pressures facing journalism
? The democratisation of journalism and the rise of citizen and ?DIY?
journalists
? The changing commercial context of journalism
? The future of journalistic practice in the multimedia age
? The uses and abuses of professional PR, marketing, media management
and spin
? Reporting foreign news
? The challenges of reporting conflict
? The future of journalism in a globalised online world
? Some key theoretical ideas underpinning journalistic practice and the
analysis of media texts

Teaching: Lectures and seminars

Assessment: TBC

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer