Required prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the MA Programme in Global Journalism

Relevance within study programme

GJ 302 Journalism, Democracy and Development is a mandatory course in the MA Programme in Global Journalism at NLA University College and takes place in the first semester of the programme.

Introduction

It is commonly assumed that there is a relationship between media and democracy, but the nature of the relationship is debated. This course addresses this issue through the role of the journalistic media in democratization processes in developing societies, focusing particularly on initiatives to develop the media themselves. The course takes as its point of departure that the media are actively used throughout the world to promote social, political, economic and national development, both by local authorities and the international community. Yet there is a lack of consensus on how to describe the role and impact of the media in these processes. There is a need for a deeper understanding of the motives for the utilization of the media by various stakeholders and the potentials and limitations of journalism in this regard.

The role of the journalistic media in developing and transitional societies is often linked to conflict situations. Under such conditions there is also reason to question how the media and journalists operate, and how they engage with different parties in the conflict.

The course also explores the role of digital media (including social and citizen media) in democratization processes. With economic and technological advances, digital media have a significant impact on democratization processes around the world. This can be positive, by offering new channels for participation, but may also reinforce the gap between the information rich and the information poor, even within developing societies. These issues are treated in the course both theoretically and through case studies.

The course draws on the experiences of NLA University College in journalism and media development in various parts of the world.

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student:

• has knowledge of major paradigms within development theory
• comprehends key theoretical approaches to media and democratization
• is familiar with alternative approaches to journalistic development
• has knowledge of experiences with journalistic development in conflict and post-conflict societies
• is able to explain key issues in the debate concerning digital media, citizen media and development

Skills

The student:

• can assess general approaches to journalism and democratization
• can evaluate a media development project in a particular society from a theoretical point of view
• demonstrates ability to discuss ethical issues pertaining to the role of journalistic activity in a conflict society
• is able to scrutinize various views in the debate concerning digital media, citizen media and development and argue for solutions  

General competence

The student:

• can communicate issues of journalism and development within a broader development frame
• has skills to discuss media intervention and media development projects, as well as suggesting improvements

Content

GJ 302-1: Journalism and democratization

This part of the course visits classic theories of media and democracy and discusses the particular role of journalism in light of the different models. Actual cases of media development in emerging democracies are discussed. 

GJ 302-2: Journalism and conflict

This section of the course discusses the role of the media and journalists in international and local conflict situations. The framework of peace journalism is treated as a distinct approach for conflict societies.

GJ 302-3: Digital media and development

This part of the course explores the role of digital media (including social and citizen media) in democratization processes. The use of new digital platforms on the fringes of classic journalism is discussed. A perspective on media regulation in closed regimes is given.

Teaching and learning methods

The course has an introductory week with intensive teaching from Monday to Friday. The remaining six weeks of the course have weekly lectures. Online connection is available for the weekly lectures, but not for the introductory week.

Scope

250-300 hours.

Coursework requirements

The following coursework requirement must be passed before a final grade is given for the course:

Participation in a group assignment which consists of an oral presentation of a specific media society for a relevant audience (could also be an individual assignment). The presentation should discuss relations between journalism, democracy and development in the particular society. 

Grading, coursework requirements

The coursework requirement is assessed as pass/failure. In order for the individual student to get a passing grade, the overall presentation must be evaluated as pass on a group basis, and the student must participate either in preparing or delivering the presentation. 

Final assessment

Assessment

The graded assessment in GJ 302 comprises two items:

1. A 4000 word written assignment/paper (51% of the final grade), individual 

2. An oral examination (49% of the final grade), individual 

Grading, examination

The assignment is assessed according to the standard A-F grading system. One final, individual grade is given for the course.

Permitted aids under examination

1. Assignment: All 

2. Oral examination: None

Assessment language

English or a Nordic language

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

Annual course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/in class.

Available as Single Course

No

Reading list and academic resources

Article

New Roles for Media in the Western Balkans: A study of transitional journalism
Andresen, Kenneth ; Hoxha, Abit ; Godole, Jonila, Routledge, 614-628, Journalism studies (London, England), 5, 18, 2017-05-04, 614-628,
View online

Book

International media development historical perspectives and new frontiers
Nicholas Benequista (redaktør), New York Bern Berlin Vienna; New York Bern Berlin Vienna; New York Bern Berlin Vienna; New York Bern Berlin Vienna, Peter Lang, XV, 277 sider, volume 23, [2019]; © 2019, isbn:9781433151477,
Part 1, 2 and 4 (pp. 11-110. 155-228). (171 pp)

Book Chapter

Chapter 7
Aeronin, D., Davis, Aeron, Chapter 7, Cambridge, UK Medford, MA; Cambridge, UK Medford, MA, Polity Press, 262 sider, 2019; ©2019, 109-129, isbn:9781509528998; 9781509529001,
Chapter 7; pp. 109-129

Document

Working group on the sustainability of journalism
Forum on information and democracy,
View online

Article

Training journalists in times of transition: The case of Kosovo
Hoxha, A; Andresen, K, Journalism Education, 2, 6, 2017, 37-47,

Book

Media and Social Justice
Jansen, S ; Pooley, J ; Taub-Pervizpour, L, Jefferson Pooley ; Lora Taub-Pervizpour ; Sue Curry Jansen ; Taub-Pervizpour, Lora ; Pooley, Jefferson ; Jansen, Sue Curry, New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, isbn:0230119794,
pp. 1-23
View online

Article

How Good is the South African Media for Democracy?: Mapping the South African Public Sphere after Apartheid
JACOBS, SEAN, 279-302, African and Asian studies, 4, 1, 2002, 279-302,
View online

Book

Journalism education in countries with limited media freedom
Beate Josephi, New York, Peter Lang, XXIII, 263 s, vol. 1, cop. 2010, isbn:9781433110849,
Pp. 1–14 and 253–260. (22 pp.)

Article

Journalists' Development Journalism Role Perceptions: Select countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa
Kalyango, Yusuf ; Hanusch, Folker ; Ramaprasad, Jyotika ; Skjerdal, Terje ; Hasim, Mohd Safar ; Muchtar, Nurhaya ; Ullah, Mohammad Sahid ; Manda, Levi Zeleza ; Kamara, Sarah Bomkapre, Routledge, 576-594, Journalism studies (London, England), 5, 18, 2017-05-04, 576-594,
View online

Document

Greening Africa’s news deserts: The search for sustainable local media in sub-Saharan Africa
Konrad 429 Adenauer Stiftung, Konrad 429 Adenauer Stiftung, 2022,
View online

Article

International assistance to promote independent media in transition and post-conflict societies
Kumar, Krishna, Routledge, 652-667, Democratization, 4, 13, 2006-08-01, 652-667,
View online

Article

Journalism is dead! Long live journalism?: why democratic societies will need to subsidise future news production
McChesney, Robert W., Routledge, 128-135, Journal of media business studies, 3, 13, 2016-07-02, 128-135,
View online

Article

Sustainable journalism education beyond short-term training: Experiences from emerging democracies
Melhus, Kåre, Unpublished paper, 2013, 1-11,

Article

CULTURE CLASH: International media training and the difficult adoption of Western journalism practices among Indonesian radio journalists
Muchtar, Nurhaya ; Hanitzsch, Thomas, Taylor & Francis Group, 184-198, Journalism practice, 2, 7, 2013-04-01, 184-198,
View online

Book

Public sentinel : news media & governance reform [elektronisk ressurs]
Pippa Norris, Washington, D.C., World Bank, xxi, 420 s., c2010, isbn:0821382012; 9780821382011,
View online

Article

Restructuring Democratic Infrastructures: A Policy Approach to the Journalism Crisis
Pickard, Victor, Routledge, 704-719, Digital journalism, 6, 8, 2020-07-02, 704-719,
View online

Book Chapter

What constitutes media development?
Rønning, Helge, Thorbjörn Broddason (red.), What constitutes media development?, Göteborg, Göteborgs universitet, Institutionen för journalistik, medier och kommunikation, 410, 61, 2010, 305-320, isbn:9789188212849,

Article

South African media in comparative perspective
Sparks, Colin, Taylor & Francis Group, 5-19, Ecquid novi, 2, 32, 2011-07-01, 5-19,
View online

Article

Teaching journalism or teaching African journalism? Experiences from foreign involvement in a journalism programme in Ethiopia
Skjerdal, Terje S, University of Stellenbosch, 24-51, Global media journal (African ed.), 1, 5, 2011-01-01, 24-51,
View online

Book

The Media for democracy monitor : a cross national study of leading news media
Josef Trappel (redaktør), Göteborg, Nordicom, 366 s., 2011, isbn:9789186523237,
pp. 11-28

Article

60 years of foreign intervention in African journalism: Fortifying the liberal ethos
Skjerdal, Terje, Unpublished paper, 2021, 1-11,

Article

The state of South African media: a space to contest democracy
Wasserman, Herman, Wiesbaden, Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden, 451-465, Publizistik, 3, 65, 2020, 451-465,
View online

Electronic Article

Who will pay for journalism?
Zivkovic, F., South East European Media Observatory, 2016,

Article

Does gender determine journalists’ professional views? A reassessment based on cross-national evidence
Hanitzsch, T., & Hanusch, F., European Journal of Communication, 3, 27, 2012-09, 257-277,

Article

Development journalism/communication: The status of the concept Gazette
Christine Ogan, International Communication Gazette, 1-2, 29, 1982-02, 3-13,

Book Chapter

Violence,War, and Gender: Collective Memory and Politics of Remembrance in Kosovo
Abit Hoxha and Kenneth Andresen, Violence,War, and Gender: Collective Memory and Politics of Remembrance in Kosovo, 263-285, isbn:978-3-030-54699-1,

Article

How conflict news comes into being: Reconstructing ‘reality’ through telling stories
Hoxha, Abit ; Hanitzsch, Thomas, Meyer, Christoph ; Frère, Marie-Soleil, London, England, SAGE Publications, 46-64, Media, war & conflict, 1, 11, 2018-03, 46-64,
View online

Article

Media development in regions of conflict, transitional countries, and closed societies
Jurrat, Nadine, Deutsche Welle, 2016, 1-20,

Article

Good journalism or peace journalism?
David Loyn, Berlin Regener Publishing House, 1-10, Conflict & communication online, 2, 6, 2007-10-01, 1-10,
View online

Book Chapter

The peace journalism model
Lynch, Jake; McGoldrick, Annabel, Lynch, Jake., McGoldrick, Annabel, The peace journalism model, Hawthorn Press, 2014-02-13, 1-32, isbn:9781903458501,
View online

Book Chapter

Preface and Foreword
Carlsson, Ulla, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Preface and Foreword, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 7-12, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Book Chapter

Introduction: Conflict and post-conflict journalism: Worldwide perspectives
Orgeret, Kristin Skare, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Introduction: Conflict and post-conflict journalism: Worldwide perspectives, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 13-22, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Book Chapter

Afghanistan: Journalism in pseudo-post-conflict, conflict and post-conflict: A clash of definitions?
Orgeret, Kristin Skare, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Afghanistan: Journalism in pseudo-post-conflict, conflict and post-conflict: A clash of definitions?, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 23-38, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Book Chapter

Justified mission? Press coverage of Uganda's military intervention in the South Sudan conflict
Ntulume, Charlotte, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Justified mission? Press coverage of Uganda's military intervention in the South Sudan conflict, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 39-62, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Book Chapter

Women making news: Conflict and post-conflict in the field
Orgeret, Kristin Skare, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Women making news: Conflict and post-conflict in the field, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 99-114, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Book Chapter

Experiences of female journalists in post-conflict Nepal
Koirala, Samiksha, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Experiences of female journalists in post-conflict Nepal, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 115-128, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Book Chapter

Global and local journalism and hte Norwegian collective imagination of 'post-conflict' Colombia
Krøvel, Roy, Kristin Skare Orgeret (1968-) (redaktør), Global and local journalism and hte Norwegian collective imagination of 'post-conflict' Colombia, Göteborg, Nordicom, 2016, 147-168, isbn:9789187957246,
View online

Article

The manufacture of an international news event: The day Kosovo was born
Paterson, Chris ; Andresen, Kenneth ; Hoxha, Abit, London, England, SAGE Publications, 103-120, Journalism (London, England), 1, 13, 2012-01, 103-120,
View online

Article

Transitional justice and transitional journalism: Case-study on Kosovo
Sweeney, James A.; Andresen, Kenneth; Hoxha, Abit, International Journal of Transitional Justice, 3, 14, 1-21,

Article

The democratic impact of ICT in Africa/ Informations- und kommunikationstechnologien, politische handlungsfahigkeit und demokratisches regieren in Afrika
Dobra, Alexandra, Sage Publications Ltd. (UK), 73-88, Afrikaspectrum, 1, 47, 2012-04-01, 73-88,
View online

Book Chapter

Bridging the digital divides: Exploring the principles of the community multimedia centre model in Uganda
Dralega, Carol Azungi, Orgeret, Kristin Skare; Rønning, Helge, Bridging the digital divides: Exploring the principles of the community multimedia centre model in Uganda, [Oslo], Unipub, 362 s., 2009, 287-312, isbn:9788274774544,

Book

Democracy's fourth wave? : digital media and the Arab spring
Howard, Philip N.., Hussain, Muzammil M.., Oxford, Oxford University Press, XIV, 145 s., cop. 2013, isbn:9780199936953; 9780199936977,
pp. 17-34