Introduction to Global Journalism

Globalization affects journalism in various ways. Journalists belong to a global community with similar news-gathering methods, similar platforms and technologies, similar ownership structures, and so forth. However, local journalistic communities also develop their own practices which at least to some extent result in diverse professional norms and different professional cultures. Thus, understanding journalism in the global world requires both knowledge of media globalization as well as awareness of local media practice.

3JO250E Introduction to Global Journalism explores both global and local developments in journalistic practice. The course is divided into two parts. The first part discusses journalistic practices around the world, leading up to a discussion of whether one can speak of an emerging global journalism ideology that transcends local journalism practice. The second part deals with media systems, referring to models which describe how media practices relate to the broader political and societal context.

Upon completion of the course, the student has achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of different journalistic practices and ideologies around the world
• is familiar with recognized media system models both for the Western and the non-Western world

Skills

The student

• can compare journalistic ideologies in global perspective
• can explain different positions pertaining to media globalization

General competence

The student

• can reflect critically on issues of globalization in relation to journalism
• can apply relevant specialized terms concerning the role of journalism in a globally connected society

Journalism across the world: This part of the course focuses on the various regions of the world and considers journalistic practices and challenges for each area, in addition to offering a discussion of whether a global journalism identity is emerging. One of the issues to be discussed is the impact that current transformations in the media industry have on journalistic identity and practice in different societies. For every region, one particular topic – with global significance – will receive particular attention. Examples of such topics are journalism and risk, media corruption, development journalism, populist journalism, citizen journalism, and the challenge of post-professional media.

Media systems: The second part of the course examines media systems in regional and global perspective. The starting-point is Hallin and Mancini's (2004) renowned three-tiered model of Western media systems (the polarized pluralist model, the democratic corporatist model and the liberal model), after which the course goes on to discuss alternative models elsewhere in the world. The course considers how journalism ideology and practice are interrelated with the overall media system of a given society.

• Norwegian
• Scandinavian languages
• English