GE

BA/SEM 6/MC/SPECIALISED REPORTING

This course offers both theoretical and practical overview of the concepts, issues and the cases/policies associated with specialised reporting, while locating/reviewing news stories offered across media on science, environment, health, business and economy. The primary aim is to study the thematic linkages between media and these specialised sectors and draw functional implications for the audience and makers alike.

The course also aims to provide intellectual resources for constructive critical analysis of popular movements and materials reflecting journalistic-ideological stands on these areas. The engagement is on the basis of dialogue and delivery where we explore the topics together through focused lectures, readings, screenings & group discussions and self-reflexive materials via assignments.

Course Outcome: By the end of this course, the student should-

  • Develop skills and strategies to effectively communicate concepts and issues related to science, environment, health, business  and  economy  to  the  target  audience  via  journalistic writing/reportage.
  • Identify and Evaluate policy initiatives related to the aforementioned core areas of specialised reporting.
  •  Observe and Assess newswriting techniques on public health- related issues and critically review their coverage in mainstream/alternative media.
  •  Measure useable frameworks of business and economy related stories in the context of stabilisation and sectorial policies and discuss their relevance in shaping public opinion and choices.
  •  Design persuasive campaigns for science, health and environment communication through short/long form stories for academia driven media.

  •  Create or co-create scholarly materials (research papers)/ AVs/ Documentaries (short/long) with reference to emerging technologies and specialised areas that impact public trust and discursive engagement.

Unit Breakdown & Learning Outcomes:

 

Unit

Content

Unit L.O.

 

 

     Unit - I

Introduction to Science communication: Science communication- characteristics, Media use for science communication, important science publications for popular reading, Issues like GM crops, big dams and others. Media coverage of science- print, radio, television and new media. Promotional campaign of science communication.

 Student will understand the various concepts and characteristics of science communication to gain in-depth subjective knowledge regarding their area of applications.

 

 

    Unit - II

 

Communicating Science: Writing science for media- print, Radio, television, New media, News, columns, interviews, documents, Advertisements, slogans, jingles, short films.

Student will gain practical knowledge about writing techniques with reference to science as a beat across media and will also learn the

tools of telling these stories from existing materials.

 

 

 

    Unit -III

Environment and Media: Role of media in covering environmental issues, Governmental and n0n- governamental organizations and environmental campaigns-Chipko, Appiko, Narmada Bachao Andolan and others. Environmental policy initiatives: national and international and issues Global warming, Kyoto Protocol, Rio Earth Summit, Montreal Meet, Copenhagen, Paris declaration.

 

Student will develop conceptual understanding about the relationship between environment and media and the key role media plays in information dissemination and shaping both public

opinions and policy initiatives.

   Unit-IV

Health Communication: Major health issues in India-AIDS, cancer,family planning, polio, swine flu,

News writing techniques of public health- related issues. Ethics of reporting health issues in the media. Health communication strategies.


 Student will learn about major health issues and health communication strategies in India and how participating or initiating debates and discussion relating to the same leads to nuanced and ethical health reporting and policy level changes

 

 

    Unit - V

Business & Economy: Introduction to business journalism- publications in the area- sources, characteristics and trends. Basics concepts of micro and macro-economics.

Stabilisation policies – fiscal, monetary and exchange rate. Sectorial policies – Agriculture, Manufacturing. Trade and others.

Student will gain knowledge about covering business and economy as a beat, exploring their journalistic nuances and how factual analyses of the same areas in media could impact the audience choices.