| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay based on quantitative and qualitative study of political broadcast output 5,000 words | 100% |
Students successfully completing this module will be able to critically assess:
Some of the processes by which broadcast journalists mediate their work to construct reality on the screen.
How the interaction between the news media and its sources dictates the political news agenda.
The functions of the elite
The tensions between regulators, commercialisation and a depleted public service broadcaster.
The function of bias in election news reporting.
How the UK system differs from other international models such as The USA and Russia.
The impact of the digital broadcast revolution/web broadcasting on political communication and voting behaviour.
How the system might be improved to enhance its accountability to the electorate.
To provide students with a framework within which they can critically interpret the broadcast news and current affairs output, its relationship to the ruling elite and its effects on the viewing public. Students will be asked to question how successfully broadcasters fulfil their remit to provide a rationally based and balanced service of news enabling viewers/listeners to make basic judgements about public policy in the capacity as voting citizens of a democracy.
This module is at CQFW Level 7