131-224 Media Freedom: A History

Usually 25 points of first-year history or media and communications, see Prerequisites.

Freedom of the press and then other media has been a contested ideal through recent history. Many nations have debated the extent to which either commercial or public service media can attain political independence, and different national media systems reflect some of the outcomes of these debates. This subject will examine debates about media freedoms in several national contexts European, American, Asian, Australasian. What has been meant by 'freedom of the press'? How have commercial and state-run broadcasters understood their obligations and constraints in this regard? The subject will investigate the emergence of the demand for freedom of the press against state and clerical censorship, and the changing content of the Western tradition, as well as debates about its application in developing nations. The subject will include an investigation into how repressive regimes have attempted to control the media, and how wartime controls have been applied on the media in other societies during major wars. It then proceeds to examine the more subtle ways in which media freedoms have also impacted upon a series of major historical developments in more liberal societies. A few classic cases will be included such as the media coverage of spies and Communists during the Cold War; media presentations of famines and under-development; media presentations of terrorist and genocidal acts; media presentations of political scandals; and the media's role in the fall of Communism, the end of Apartheid and the revival of prosecutions for crimes against humanity.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

A reflective essay of 2000 words 45% (due mid-semester), a research assignment of 2000 words 45% (due at the end of semester) and class participation 10%.