POL305 Politics and the Media (8)

Abstract

This subject is about the political impact of the mass media and their role and influence in Australian politics in the era of the information society. In particular, the subject addresses the relationship between corporations, individual journalists and government. Media ownership, the politics of regulation and election campaigns will be analysed.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
Internal	Bathurst Campus
Distance	Bathurst Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: POL305
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration	Grading System	School:
One session	HD/FL	School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

- be able to outline the impact of media on politics and politics on the media
- be able to evaluate the effect of the changing media environment on Australia's political institutions and their accountability to the public
- be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the effects of new information technologies on politics
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy behind media deregulation and its effects on the Australian media
- be able to draw on sufficient knowledge to appraise the government's media policy

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:

- the role of the media in representative democracy
- relationships between political parties and media companies
- politics as entertainment; news as a business
- truth, balance, bias and other contested concepts
- media ownership and diversity of opinion
- public broadcasting and independent reporting
- party campaign advertising, polling, databases and targeted messages
- globalisation, sovereignty and media ownership
- new media and the prospects for democracy

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