Students must choose a recent journalism/PR case (within last 10 months) and explore the ethical dilemmas/issues/challenges presented in this case. You will critically analyse the dilemma/issues using the relevant ethical principles and theories covered in the course. You must demonstrate that you understand the complexity of the case/dilemma/issue. You must outline and evaluate the arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’ and possible counter-arguments. You must apply the relevant ethical theories and theorists to frame/build your arguments. Although you do not necessarily have to provide a definitive conclusion (it will depend on what case you choose), you should recommend possible resolutions to the case/dilemma/issue. This could take the form of possible regulatory reforms, updating of codes, changes to organization culture, prioritizing of certain values over others, etc. You could also outline how you would have responded/ done things differently if you had been faced the same dilemma/issue/challenge the journalis/PRP was dealing with, ie, how the publication might have looked/read if done more responsibly.
This assessment item is PLATFORM NEUTRAL. This means that you do not have to write a traditional essay – unless you want to! It means that you can use any genre/ platform/ style of communication that you think best enables you to fulfill the marking criteria. This assessment item was designed to give you the chance to utilize the array of practical/ production skills you’ve developed throughout your degree. You can do long form journalism, like feature stories. You can do photojournalism. You can create audio-visual material – like a blog, online newspaper or magazine. You can make a podcast or a radio segment. You can make a doco/ film, or create your own episode of Q&A, Media Watch, The Gruen Transfer, The Daily Show, Four Corners, Can of Worms, etc. You can use animation/ fictionalization/ cartooning, etc. I would especially love to see a group write (and produce) their own episode of The Newsroom!
This assessment item will be done as a group. The group will be between 3-5 people. The group can be made up of people from different tutorials. The size/length of this assessment will depend on how many people are in your group. If you are a group of three people and you write an essay/ text it shoudl be a approximately 2000 words. For every extra group member add 500 words to the required length (eg. group of five submits 3000 words). If you are a group of three submitting audio-visual work then it should be between 15-30 minutes. The length will depend on how much original content you include, (as distinct from resources like youtube clips that you might use to suppliment your production). The question of size/length is something that each group will need to be discussed with their tutor.
NB: Even if you choose a creative format, you still need to REFERENCE adequately. However you don’t have to use APA. You can get creative, as long as you provide all the relevant information.
You should submit your text-based work through Turnitin, via Blackboard. If you would like to submit audio-visual work, please discuss an appropriate mode of submission with your tutor (this may vary depending on the file size).
Only one of person in the group needs to submit (through Turnitin or via alternative means). Just make sure you clearly identify the full names of everyone in the group!
Extensions for this assessment must be made prior to the submission date, using the appropriate form (available via School’s website).
Marking Criteria for this assessment available on Blackboard
