Undergraduate - UnitATS3658 - Journalism ethics

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Berwick Second semester 2012 (Day) Gippsland Second semester 2012 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Louise North

Notes

Synopsis

This unit covers the areas of professional ethics that govern journalism in Australia. Students learn how the principles and codes of journalism ethics influence and impact on journalism practice. Students explore debates about privacy, chequebook journalism, sensationalism, news images and ethics, conflicts of interest, plagiarism, self-regulation, gender and media stereotypes, and reporting of race and minorities. Students learn the extent of ethical constraints and freedoms and the tensions that arise among media owners, media regulators, journalists, and the public in reporting of news. The challenges of rapid technological change provide a framework within which to consider trends and dilemmas in journalism ethics in the 21st century.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will:

1. Understand the ethical issues which journalists encounter in their daily work;
2. Be able to critically analyse the challenges of ethical practice in the production of news;
3. Understand the importance and relevance of unethical practice within the Fourth Estate model of the production of news;
4. Be able to debate and analyse the ethical conflicts that arise between the media, the public, and public relations;
5. Understand the implication of technological advances on ethical journalism;
6. Have knowledge of and practise in applying the MEAA's Code of Ethics and the Australian Press Council Statement of Principles;
7. Have the ability to critically analyse self-regulation of the media in Australia.

Note: Level 3 students are required to demonstrate a higher level of production skills, and critical argument and scholarship, including a stronger grasp of key concepts.

Assessment

Assignment: online academic postings (1500 words): 35%
Class presentation: tutorial presentation supported by written report (online for DE) (1000 words): 25%
Examination (2 hours): 40%.

Contact hours

2 hour seminar per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Journalism

Prerequisites

Two second-year journalism units or permission

Prohibitions

GSC2910, GSC3903, GSC3910, ATS2658, JRN2910, JRN3910