| CODE | IRL5057 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Media and Humanitarian Action | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | International Relations | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Through various case studies, students will learn how to critically apply key theories from Media and Cultural studies to assess influences on media coverage. It will also take into account the rise of new interactive media and their role in empowering individuals to form virtual communities that may exert international pressure. This unit will then look at ways in which the media can be positively employed in humanitarian efforts. It will help students to establish pro-active media strategies and media tactics through a practical project that will form part of assessment. They will learn effective media relations that will improve the credibility of their organizations and improve their chances of reaching their objectives. They will also discuss ways in which they can try to off-set the negative roles of media players who may derail efforts through excessive sensationalism, decontextualised and partial reporting. Study-unit Aims This study unit aims to: - Make students understand the notion of “news value criteria” and its influence on the international news flow. - Make students aware of the key theories on media influence and on public opinion. - Make students understand the relationship between media and states, international institutions and the global civil society. - Make students understand how various media outlets may be used to effectively communicate with various players/ stakeholders Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explore the influence of the media of the way states relate to one another, especially in times of tensions or conflict. - Critically assess the role of the media and learn how to evaluate a crisis situation and develop the appropriate tools - Learn how to construct media strategies 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Evaluate the impact of mediated communication on contemporary international issues. - Assess the communication strategies of key players in global humanitarian interventions - ‘Unpack’ the way in which humanitarian assistance is being reported in the media - Develop creative campaigning strategies for greater impact Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Recommended readings: - Avril, H. (2004) Journalists and Humanitarian NGO's. Nieman Reports, Vol. 58 Issue 3, pp. 24-25 - Herman, E. Chomsky, N. (1988) Manufacturing Consent. New York: Pantheon Books - Cottle, S. Nolan, D. (2007). Global Humanitarianism and the changing Aid-Media field: “Everyone was dying for footage” Journalism Studies Vol 8: 6, pp: 862-878 - Curran, J. Fenton, N. Freedman,D. (2012) Misunderstanding the Internet. Routledge: London. - Danieli, Y. (Ed.). (2002) Sharing the Front Line and the Back Hills: International Protectors and Providers : Peacekeepers, Humanitarian Aid Workers and the Media in the Midst. New York: Batwood Publishing. - Davis, A (2010) Political Communication and Society Theory, Routledge: London - Hilsum, Lindsey (2008) Reporting Rwanda: The Media and the Aid Agencies. Hilsum, L. Thompson, A. (Eds.). Media & the Rwanda Genocide, (pp. 167-187), - Minear, L. Scott, C, Weiss, T. G. (1996) The news media, civil war, and humanitarian action. USA, Lynne Rienner Publishers (selections) - Moeller Susan D. Compassion Fatigue : How the Media Sell Disease, Famine, War and Death Routledge (selections) - Olsen, G.R. Carstensen, N. Høyen, K. (2003) Humanitarian Crises: What Determines the Level of Emergency Assistance? Media Coverage, Donor Interests and the Aid Business. Disasters. Vol 27/ 2, pp. 109–126. - Seib, P. (2007) New Media and the New Middle East, Palgrave Macmillan, New York - Thussu, D.K. (2010) International Communication: A Reader. Routledge: London - Ureta, I. (Ed). (2011) Media, Migration and Public Opinion. Peter Lang: Bern Supplementary readings: - Brownscombe, 2005 J. Crisis in humanitarianism? Journal of Medical Ethics, Vol. 31 Issue 3, pp.182-183 - Höijer, B. (2004) The Discourse of Global Compassion: The Audience and Media Reporting of Human Suffering. Media Culture Society 26: 4, p.p. 513-531 - Olsen, G.R. (2001) European public opinion and aid to Africa: is there a link? The Journal of Modern African Studies. Vol 39: pp 645-674 - Sacco, J. (2001) Palestine, New York: Fantagraphics. http://iaemeuropa.terapad.com/resources/8959/assets/documents/UN%20DMTP%20-%20News%20Media%20%20&%20Humanitarian%20Action.pdf |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-Requisite Study-units As prescribed within MA in Humanitarian Action |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alex Grech Carmen Sammut |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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