This module examines the organisational and ideological contexts within which journalism is conducted. The module aims at extending and enhancing at postgraduate level the student's knowledge of some of the basic intellectual foundations of journalism. It also aims at giving students a proper understanding of these elements and the ability to apply them in practice. After an introduction to theoretical and empirical work examining globalisation and glocalisation, students will compare and contrast journalistic practice in the UK, the United States, Asia and Europe. The module then examines issues arising from ownership, structures control and regulation, with particular reference to the breaking down of traditional national barriers. The implications of telecommunications technology and the information superhighway for the professional practice of journalism will also be assessed. The module examines the relationship of journalism to the political process. These issues are then contextualised in relation to such issues as news values, balance, sources and editorial pressures. Case studies of different styles of news and news values are analysed. Research methodologies will be explored.

Newsroom
Video recorder and TV
Internet
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where appropriate) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

The essay will allow students to demonstrate the relevance of the theoretical approaches to the practice of journalism (Learning Outcomes 1-5)

Allan, Stuart, News Culture (2004)
Allan, Stuart (ed.), Journalism: Critical Issues (2005)
Berkowitz, Dan (ed.), Social Meanings of News: A Text Reader (1997)
Conboy, Martin, Tabloid Britain: Constructing a Community Through Language (2006)
Lee-Wright, Peter et al, Changing Journalism (2012)
McNair, Brian, Journalism and Democracy: An evaluation of the political public sphere (2000)
Manning, Paul News and News Sources: A Critical Introduction (2001)
Temple, Mick, The British Press (2008)
Tunney, Sean and Monaghan, Garrett (eds.), Web Journalism:// A New Form of Citizenship? (2010)

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In a time of Post-Truth and Fake News, it is vital to understand the place of journalism in the wider world. Globalisation, ownership, control and regulation are key areas students will be encouraged to research and discuss with their course colleagues. The module also assesses the place of journalism within the political process, looking at sources, balance, news values and editorial pressures.