Required prerequisite knowledge

3GJ301 Journalism, Media and Globalization

Relevance within study programme

GJ 311 Nordic Media is an optional course in the MA Programme in Global Journalism at NLA University College and takes place in the second semester of the programme.

Introduction

GJ 311 Nordic Media studies the media–s role and behaviour within the Nordic societies (mainly Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland). The course examines political and economic conditions for the journalistic media with a view on the peculiarities of Nordic media policy and accompanying state subsidy models. The course builds on the material covered in GJ 301 Journalism, Media and Globalization and places the Nordic media in an international context. The course pays particular attention to public service media philosophy, a topic which is widely discussed in Nordic media research.

Learning outcomes descriptors

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

The student:

• is familiar with past and present developments of the journalistic media in the four major Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland)
• has knowledge of various forms of government subsidy for the Nordic media
• is able to explain a Nordic approach to public service media

Skills

The student:

• can assess the homogeneity and heterogeneity of the Nordic media system and discuss how it relates to other media systems
• can discuss how media policy in the Nordic countries affects journalistic behaviour
• can identify and discuss strengths and weaknesses of the Nordic media system

General competence

The student:

• is able to assess the relationship between a regional media system, media structure and journalistic behaviour

Content

Course details

GJ 311–1: Nordic media structures and journalistic practice

The first section of the course provides an historical and contemporary overview of Nordic media and journalism in the Nordic countries, including recent developments on the digital media scene. The section discusses to what extent the democratic corporatist model fits the current Nordic media situation, and acquaints students with the differences that exist between the various national media systems/structures in the countries concerned.

GJ 311–2: Public service media

a) Nordic translations of public service journalism

This section of the course discusses developments in the public service media from a Nordic perspective. A key concern emanating from the research literature is the prospect of a public service media philosophy in an era dominated by online technology and marked by audience fragmentation.

b) Global links

With the Nordic countries serving as a departure point for the theory of public service media (part a), this second part seeks to demonstrate how public service media are subject to diverse interpretations in different national and cultural contexts. This part of the course provides examples of public service media practices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

GJ 311–3: Nordic media events in global perspective

The third section of the course takes a –case study– approach by treating a story which originates in the Nordic media with subsequent international attention. The purpose of the study is to examine global news exchange mechanisms where a story travels across national and cultural boundaries, receiving different treatment in different media societies. Currently the chosen story is the –Mohammed cartoons– (2005/06), but the case may change at a later stage.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching is offered as lectures and seminars. The seminars are mainly student-led. Because several students in the programme are expected to be abroad for studies at partnership institutions during the semester when the course is offered, the exact teaching arrangement will be determined when the number of participants is settled.

Scope

250 to 300 hours.

Coursework requirements

Compulsory components Lectures in GJ 311 are not compulsory, but students are encouraged to be present in order to create a fertile learning environment. The written exam and the assignment are compulsory.

Final assessment

The assessment of GJ 311 comprises two parts:

• 4000 word written assignment/paper studying a focused aspect of the Nordic media (51 % of the final grade)
• 4 hour written exam (49 % of the final grade)

Permitted aids under examination

1. Written assignment: All

2. Written exam: None

Grading, examination

Both parts should be individual assignments and are assessed according to the standard A–F grading system. One final grade is given for the course.

Assessment language

English.

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

Annually course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/ in class.

Available for Course Students

No.

Syllabus

Total reading: Approx. 680 pp.

GJ 311-1: Nordic media structures and journalistic practice

Readings:

• Eide, Elisabeth (2013) Norway and 22 July: A clash of diagnoses? In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Freedom of expression revisited: Citizenship and journalism in the digital era, 73-91. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Hovden, Jan Fredrik (2012) A journalistic cosmology: A sketch of some social and mental structures of the Norwegian journalistic field. Nordicom Review 33(2): 57-76.
• Jyrkiäinen, Jyrki and Ari Heinonen (2012) Finnish journalists: The quest for quality amidst new pressures. In David H. Weaver and Lars Willnat (eds.), The global journalist in the 21st century, 171-186. New York: Routledge.
• Karlsson, Michael and Christer Clerwall (2013) Negotiating professional news judgment and 'clicks': Comparing tabloid, broadsheet and public service traditions in Sweden. Nordicom Review 34(2): 65-76.
• Kivikuru, Ullamaija and Kaarle Nordenstreng (2010) National, global, regional - where is the core of the Nordic communication research? In Torbjörn Broddason et al. (eds.), Norden och världen: Perspektiv från forskningen om medier och kommunikation, 105-114. Göteborg: Göteborgs universitet.
• Krumsvik, Arne H. (2013) Freedom of expression and the professionalization of journalism. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Freedom of expression revisited: Citizenship and journalism in the digital era, 61-72. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Krumsvik, Arne H., Eli Skogerbø and Tanja Storsul (2013) Size, ownership and innovation in newspapers. In Tanja Storsul and Arne H. Krumsvik (eds.), Media innovations: A multidisciplinary study of change, 93-110. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Lund, Anker Brink (2007) Media markets in Scandinavia: Political economy aspects of convergence and divergence. Nordicom Review 28(jubilee issue): 121-134.
• Ohlson, Jonas (2015) The Nordic media market 2015. Göteborg: Nordicom. (74 pp.)
• Ottosen, Rune and Arne Krumsvik (2012) Digital challenges on the Norwegian media scene. Nordicom Review 33(2): 43-56.
• Rønning, Helge (2013) Freedom of expression is not a given right. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Freedom of expression revisited: Citizenship and journalism in the digital era, 12-26. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Skovsgaard, Morten, Erik Albæk, Peter Bro and Claes de Vreese (2012) Media professionals or organizational marionettes? Professional values and constraints of Danish journalists. In David H. Weaver and Lars Willnat (eds.), The global journalist in the 21st century, 155-170. New York: Routledge.
• Strömbäck, Jesper, Lars Nord and Adam Shehata (2012) Swedish journalists: Between professionalization and commercialization. In David H. Weaver and Lars Willnat (eds.), The global journalist in the 21st century, 306-319. New York: Routledge.
• Strömbäck, Jesper, Mark Ørsten and Toril Aalberg (2008) Political communication in the Nordic countries: An introduction. In Jesper Strömbäck, Mark Ørsten and Toril Aalberg (eds.), Communicating politics: Political communication in the Nordic countries, 11-24. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Ørsten, Mark, Toril Aalberg and Jesper Strömbäck (2008) Conclusions: Similarities and differences between the Nordic countries. In Jesper Strömbäck, Mark Ørsten and Toril Aalberg (eds.), Communicating politics: Political communication in the Nordic countries, 267-272. Göteborg: Nordicom.

GJ 311-2: Public service media

a) Nordic translations of public service journalism

Readings:

• Collins, Richard (2010) From public service broadcasting to public service communication. In Gregory Ferrell Lowe (ed.), The public in public service media, 53-70. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Engblom, Lars-Åke (2013) Public service financing in the Nordic countries. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 93-106. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Harrie, Eva (ed.) (2013) A Nordic public service media map. Göteborg: Nordicom. (96 pp.) (Mainly for reference)
• Hujanen, Taisto, Lennart Weitbull and Eva Harrie (2013) The challenge of public service broadcasting in the Nordic countries: Contents and audiences. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 17-50. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Larsen, Håkon (2011) Public service broadcasting as an object for cultural policy in Norway and Sweden: A policy tool and an end in itself. Nordicom Review 32(2): 35-47.
• Lund, Anker Brink and Gregory Ferrell Lowe (2013) Current challenges to public service broadcasting in the Nordic countries. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 51-74. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Moe, Hallvard and Ole J. Mjøs (2013) The arm length's principle in Nordic public broadcasting regulation. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 75-92. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Nissen, Christian S. (2013) Introduction: What's so special about Nordic public service media? In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 9-16. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Rydin, Ingegerd (2013) Discourses on cultural diversity in public service media in the Nordic region: A focus on ethnic minorities. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 131-160. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Selin, Henrik (2013) Nordic public service broadcasting and European Union regulation. In Ulla Carlsson (ed.), Public service media from a Nordic horizon: Politics, markets, programming and users, 161-174. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Thorbjørnsrud, Kjersti (2013) The autonomy of Scandinavian public broadcasters during election campaign periods: Principles and practices. Nordicom Review 34(1): 63-76.

b) Global links

Readings:

• Chin, Yik Chan and Matthew D. Johnson (2012) Public cultural service: New paradigms of broadcasting policy and reform in the People's Republic of China. In Gregory Ferrell Lowe and Jeanette Steemers (eds.), Regaining the initiative for public service media, 149-166. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Juárez-Gámiz, Julio and Gregory Ferrell Lowe (2012) Breaking the mold with new media: Making way for a public service provider in Mexico? In Gregory Ferrell Lowe and Jeanette Steemers (eds.), Regaining the initiative for public service media, 167-182. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Sakr, Naomi (2012) Public service initiatives in Arab media today. In Gregory Ferrell Lowe and Jeanette Steemers (eds.), Regaining the initiative for public service media, 183-198. Göteborg: Nordicom.
• Teer-Tomaselli, Ruth E. (2008) –National– public service broadcasting: Contradictions and dilemmas. In Adrian Hadland, Eric Louw, Simphiwe Sesanti and Herman Wasserman (eds.) Power, politics and identity in South African media, 73-103. Cape Town: HSRC Press.
• Tufte, Thomas (2010) Where are the public service media in Latin America? Citizen media and national development in a glocalized environment. In Torbjörn Broddason et al. (eds.), Norden och världen: Perspektiv från forskningen om medier och kommunikation, 291-304. Göteborg: Göteborgs universitet.

GJ 311-3: Nordic media events in global perspective

Reading:

• Eide, Elisabeth, Risto Kunelius and Angela Phillips (eds.) (2008) Transnational media events: The Mohammed cartoons and the imagined clash of civilizations. Göteborg: Nordicom. (Selected chapters, approx. 100 pp.)