Media Communication in a Changing World (COM105)

COM105 introduces students to the changing operations and controversies of the mass media in its various forms – print, broadcast, the Internet, social media, as well as advertising and public relations. The course examines the convergence of the traditional media and new media platforms and the various media issues and challenges in a changing world. On completion of this course, students would understand the social and cultural impact of media in today’s society and be able to engage in thoughtful reflection on their personal media consumption habits for communication purposes and think critically to form informed opinions on the controversies currently surrounding the media industry.

• Nature of Mass Communication and the Internet as a Communication Hybrid
• Function of Mass Media as a Cultural Forum and Cultural Storytellers
• Global Media Phenomena, Trends, Convergences and Controversies
• Media Effect Theories and Their Extension To Digital Media
• Concept of News, Gatekeeping and Agenda Setting in New Media Environment
• Digital Transformation of News Media and the Rise of Citizen Journalism
• Controversies in News Journalism: Freedom of Expression and Sensationalism
• Editorial Versus Advertorial/Native Advertising: Editorial Independence of News Media
• The Convergence of Radio, TV, and Digital Media
• Controversies Surrounding Radio and TV
• Advertising and Public Relations in the Digital Era
• Controversies in Advertising and Public Relations

• Identify distinguishing features of traditional mass media and digital media.
• Discuss media’s impact on news and information communication and its effects on the audience.
• Explain the key controversies surrounding media communication in today’s society.
• Illustrate the growing convergence of media platforms and its implications for the audience.
• Present today’s media issues and challenges, such as media concentration, censorship, digital news virality, credibility, and reliability.
• Review the social and cultural impact of digital media on the audience.