Module Code and Title:        JRN303 Global Journalism

Programme:                          BA in Mass Communication

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       Namkhai Norbu

General objective: This module will use theory to explore current events from around the world to analyse the problems in reporting on topics locally and globally. It will not only focus on good practices of journalism elsewhere in the world, but also look at how local journalists can even pitch and write stories for international publication. The module will refer to concepts of media literacy and cultural diversity in reporting on sensitive topics and analysing news coverage. The module will cover issues such as challenges and barriers to media development. Discussion on varied audiences, delivery platforms, backgrounds will come into play when exploring issues.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Analyse media coverage of a country through various media sources to understand its media strategy.
2. Critique a global issue and its local, national and international coverage.
3. Discuss reporting challenges including restrictions, censorship, corruption, and refusal.
4. Identify challenges to reporting in areas the reporter doesn’t know and identify opportunities for reporting for global media.
5. Identify differences between Bhutanese and regional media.
6. Discuss examples of media imperialism with local context to create more objective news coverage.
7. Debate how foreign media impacts journalism in Bhutan and how Bhutan is represented in and by the global media.
8. Explain bias in coverage of global events from different parts of the world.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Individual Country analysis: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will individually be assigned a country at the beginning of the semester and will begin an investigative analysis concerning the journalistic coverage of their country. Students will discuss the information gathered by various news sources and the frequency of the reports to critique the accuracy of coverage and issues faced by the country. The tutor will give detailed questions and direction for the student to complete their 1500 word report.

2%       Factual introduction to country

5%       Detailed explanation concerning journalistic coverage of the country

5%       Comprehensive analysis of journalistic coverage and consequences of portrait drawn

3%       Recommendations for coverage of country in the future

B. Individual Global issue study presentation: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will pick a global issue to investigate the analysis concerning the journalistic coverage from a variety of sources around the world. They will identify the variations in reports from countries as well as the amount of time/space devoted to these issues. Students should analyse the issue from at least 5 different sources and apply their knowledge from cultural diversity into the analysis. Students will prepare a multimedia presentation of their choice to the class concerning the topic, the variety of reports, the reasons concerning the different reporting styles, what they most relate to and least relate to, and a short synopsis of how the student would report on the issue from their knowledge. This report should be delivered in a oral report of 10 minutes.

3%       Quality sources from around the globe

4%       In-depth analysis concerning variations in coverage

2%       Accuracy of multimedia presentation

2%       Discussion on ethical coverage from Bhutan

4%       Example of balanced report on global issue

C. Midterm examination: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

Students will be required to sit for a written midterm examination of 1.5 hr duration proving their theoretical grasp of the concepts, as well as their ability to apply the concepts using practical examples.

D. Individual Article composition: Portion of Final Mark: 15%

During the course of the semester, the module will be discussing how Bhutan is represented in and by the global media. Students will explore a variety of coverages on Bhutan on a particular topic. The article should be 1250-1500 words and based on the theme of the study and must include relevant links and sources.

3%       Ability to connect the theme/location to the article

5%       Balanced article with fair representation

4%       Incorporation of links and sources

3%       Capability to inform the reader in an interesting way

Pre-requisites: LAN202 Basic Journalism

Subject matter:

1. Unit I: Freedom of press around the world and the development of freedom
   • Law of the land as the key principle
   • Press freedom in different countries in the world
   • Media analysis of different regions
   • Press freedom vis-à-vis democracy
2. Unit II: Considerations for reporting from abroad vs. reporting from at home
   • Research and knowledge of the locale
   • Potential limitations at a locale
     • Electricity
     • Internet
     • Community hostility and dislike of outsiders telling the story
   • Awareness of what an audience knows
3. Unit III: Big Stories: Key regions and languages of today
   • Multi-lingual reporting and translation
   • Awareness of the global picture
   • Localizing a story for an audience
   • Biases in coverage
4. Unit IV: Global journalism theory and critical and non-Western press philosophies controlling the press
   • US reporting systems
   • UK reporting systems
   • Reporting systems in Asia and Pacific
   • Stabilized government and restricting messages during war and peace
   • Censorship and self-censorship
   • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
   • Media literacy and the population
5. Unit V: Global and national news agencies: Introduction and variations on delivery
   • “Bureau” offices
   • Correspondents
   • News agencies – Introduction and functions
   • Impact of international media on Bhutanese media
6. Unit VI: Barriers to media development and determinants of choice of stories that fit international media
   • Government styles
   • Availability of sources and ease of communicating freely
   • Funding and advertising
   • Media monopolies and the flow of opposing views
   • Values to be promoted or discouraged by the press
   • Awareness of the background and issues international audiences want to know
   • Considerations of language, culture and format for international audience
   • Considerations for local journalist pitching stories for international publications
7. Unit VII: Citizen journalism: standards, fake news, censorship and reporting without training
   • Widespread nature of ‘citizen journalists’
   • Accessibility to high quality equipment
   • Concept of ‘right place, right time’
   • Leaks and legality
   • Accuracy of information and the ability to verify sources
   • Current debates on citizen journalism making reporters obsolete
8. Unit VIII: Coverage of politics, diplomacy, conflict and disaster reporting
   • International relations and reporting: how these impact citizens
   • Considerations for reporters with regard to dealing with dignitaries
   • Responsibility of journalists to inform the public while balancing personal safety concerns
   • Boundaries between exploitation of the situation vs. reporting the news
   • Boundaries between helping others vs. capturing the moment
9. Unit IX: People, poverty and human rights
   • Exposés, human interest stories, calls to action
   • Abuse and exploitation of subjects for a story
   • Analysis of the media coverage on the Bhutanese refugees issue by regional and international media
10. Unit X: Covering domestic issues of global significance
    • The environment and climate change
    • Local issues and the knowledge based assumption
    • Bhutan border issues with China and India; analysis of the media coverage on the Doklam issue by regional and international media

Reading List:

1. Essential Reading
   • McPhail, T. L. (2014). Global communication: theories, stakeholders, and trends. Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
   • Ritzer, G. (2015).The McDonaldization of society. Los Angeles: Sage.
2. Additional Reading:
   • Barker, C. (1997). Global television: an introduction. Oxford: Blackwell.
   • Committee to Protect Journalists. (2015). Attacks on the press: journalism on the world’s front lines. (2013). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley/ Bloomberg Press.
   • Cropp, F., Frisby, C. M., & Mills, D. (2003). Journalism across cultures. Ames, IA: Blackwell.
   • Davies, G., & Nyland, C. (2004). Globalization in the Asian region: impacts and consequences. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
   • Grieves, K. (2012). Journalism across boundaries: the promises and challenges of transnational and transborder journalism. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.
   • Held, D. (2004). A globalizing world?: culture, economics, politics. London: London.
   • Nayar, P. K. (2004). Virtual worlds: culture and politics in the age of cybertechnology. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
   • Paterson, C. A., & Sreberny, A. (2004). International news in the 21st century. Eastleigh: John Libbey.
   • Romano, A. R., & Bromley, M. (2009). Journalism and democracy in Asia. London: Routledge.
   • Schiffrin, A. (2014). Global muckraking: 100 years of investigative journalism from around the world. New York: The New Press.
   • Straubhaar, J. D. (2007). World television: from global to local. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
   • Yamashita, S., & Eades, J. S. (2003). Globalization in Southeast Asia: local, national, and transnational perspectives. New York: Berghahn.

Date:  May 14, 2018