MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism UK

Key details

MA BROADCAST AND DIGITAL JOURNALISM UK

Start Year

2022

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Arts

Duration (years)

On this UK-focused version of our Broadcast and Digital Journalism Master’s you will gain the practical skills of modern journalism, particularly broadcast and online, with a focus on UK journalism practices, political systems and media law.

You’ll explore the rapidly changing world of the professional journalist, and gain the knowledge to navigate the complexities of UK media law and ethics. You’ll work in modern TV studios, explore mobile journalism, develop online content, and record interviews and news reports.

If you have an inquiring mind and are passionate about news and UK current affairs, this course is for you. Whether you’ve developed an interest or specialism from your first degree, or are thinking of pursuing a career in general news journalism, this course will give you the space to develop your skills, as you research, write or present the stories you find.

Because of the need for journalists to collaborate with each other, and to engage with the public and various other groups and authorities, course activities will be under constant review and amendment during pandemic conditions. Face to face activities and teaching will be preferred whenever possible, although online delivery will be adopted if necessary. Some teaching will take place virtually.

About

This MA programme is designed to equip you with the core practical and theoretical skills of journalism and electronic communications, preparing you to work in the communication industries or a related career. It will also help you develop the ability to reflect critically on the nature and limitations of news coverage.

You’ll undertake in-depth study of UK law and public affairs (including media law and regulation), as commonly required by prospective employers in mainstream UK journalism.

In addition to your Master’s Extended Journalism Project, you’ll undertake compulsory modules that will arm you with practical skills, give you an understanding of ethical journalism, and help you see the role of the media from a broader perspective. You’ll also select an optional module to further your specific interests.

You will practice interviewing, reporting, video, radio and broadcast production, and learn how to develop and structure news stories for different media. The course normally includes talks by invited professionals, and visits, which in the past have included political and media destinations, both locally and in London. (These activities are subject to review, and may be altered or cancelled as a consequence of the COVID pandemic.)

Our School is home to internationally recognised experts, and you will have access to their knowledge in the fields of public affairs, politics, international relations and cultural change.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

In addition to your practical Master’s extended journalism project, you will be assessed through a range of coursework assignments. As well as a limited number of formal essays, you will work on individual and collaborative media presentations and productions. And you’ll develop an online portfolio of your journalism work, which will be a valuable addition to your CV.

Some of your modules may include course tests, and at times you will be required to produce journalistic work under observation for assessment purposes.

Structure

This Master’s course is made up of a number of core practical modules, which run throughout the year, as well as an optional module and an extended journalism project.

Our compulsory extended module in Broadcast Journalism will provide you with a thorough overview of all aspects of mass-media journalism, reporting and editorial, as well as technical production elements such as audio recording and editing, camera operation, sound, video editing, and studio practice. You will be expected to generate your own stories, and to go out into the local community to research and produce them. This includes practice of radio news features and bulletin production. In the event of continuing pandemic conditions, some of these activities may be delivered virtually.

Our Contemporary Journalism: Practice and Ethics module is designed to give you further practical experience of the issues and techniques of journalism, particularly as they relate to developing content for online news and information sites. It will enable you to develop your reporting and writing skills, as well as instilling appreciation of the proper ethical framework for your journalism. You will look at how newsrooms are run, the reporter’s working day, and how stories are found and developed. And it will allow you to examine changes within the industry.

You will take Essential UK Public Affairs and Law for Journalists. As well as studying media law and regulation, you will survey the judicial system of England and Wales and a journalist’s rights and responsibilities within it. The public affairs section of the unit covers the principal elements of the UK political system. You will discover the rights, responsibilities and techniques of a reporter. You will develop a critical understanding and familiarity with UK current affairs, exploring the reporting of issues such as national identity, citizenship, cultural diversity and the role of the media in such matters. You will gain an awareness of the legal precedents established in online practice (now a core element of multi-platform journalism) and how they are gaining more widespread application.

In addition to your compulsory modules you’ll choose one optional module, selected according to your interests and specialisms.

Towards the end of your course you will complete an Extended Journalism Project, which is an opportunity for you to produce a video, audio or multimedia (text plus media elements) project that is both a substantial piece of journalism and a demonstration of your broadcast production skills. You will also reflect on the development and practical execution of your project. The subject and format of your practice-based project will be agreed in discussion with a supervisor. Modern digital video, audio and editing equipment will be available to you for this project, shared with other students.

Teaching and Learning

The practical aspects of this course are taught by experienced broadcast journalists. You will take modules that look at journalism and journalistic ethics, TV, radio and online news production. You will study the stories of the day to see how working journalists are interpreting and developing their role.

Independent study

You’ll support your learning with your own reading and investigation. You will also be expected to immerse yourself in published broadcast, print and online news. And you will regularly research your own stories and media projects. On average you should allocate ample time to the following of media sources (newspapers, radio, TV and online news and current affairs) each week, and additional hours for reading recommended books and other texts.

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Assessment for Year 1

Some of your modules may include course tests, and at times you will be required to produce journalistic work under observation for assessment purposes.

Compulsory Modules

CONTEMPORARY JOURNALISM: PRACTICE AND ETHICS

Code PPLM7011Y

Credits 40

In this module you will learn the tools to help you become a professional journalist. You will understand what gets into the news and why. You will develop practical skills and techniques in the production of different forms of journalism. You will explore modern ethical dilemmas in the field and the practical and financial challenges facing journalism in the contemporary environment. This module will encourage you to reflect on the notion of journalistic responsibility and what it means to act ethically as a journalist. Practical ethical issues will include the manipulation of content, the suppression or otherwise of indecent or gruesome material, invasions of privacy, the confidentiality of sources and the future of the UK press. It will seek to define a professional response to the issue of misinformation, disinformation and 'fake news'. You will learn about work patterns and employability issues, including job roles within a news organisation. The module will look at journalism past and present – and pose questions about the future of the profession. The reporting and editorial skills you will practice in the generation of online content will stand you in good stead should you wish to work in any sector of the profession.

BROADCAST JOURNALISM

Code PPLM7010Y

Credits 40

This module exposes students to modern news production processes primarily in TV and radio. You will collaborate in producing TV and radio news reports which will be compiled into programmes. This module allows you to develop a wide and detailed grounding in all aspects of radio and television journalism and news production across media.

ESSENTIAL UK PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND LAW FOR JOURNALISTS

Code PPLM7012Y

Credits 40

Holding power to account is one of the key responsibilities of the journalist and to do that you need to know how civic structures work in practice. You will learn how law and regulation impact upon newsgathering and publication for print and audio-visual media. Taught sessions will reflect on the principles of democracy, defamation, intellectual property, freedom of the press, freedom of information, press regulation and the public interest as these relate to news coverage. You will study the structure and operation of British central and local government. The principal elements of the UK political process will be taught, including the electoral processes, the role of elected representatives, civil servants, politicians, political parties, finance, government and government communications techniques. Some sessions on this module may be taught at Broadcast House in Norwich City Centre.

EXTENDED JOURNALISM PROJECT

Code PPLM7018X

Credits 40

The Extended Journalism Project allows students opportunity to demonstrate their ability to produce (research, record or shoot, edit, script and voice) a work of broadcast journalism - video or audio - to a professional standard. As a guide, and unless otherwise agreed, your project deliverable (which will be due towards the end of the summer period) will be a substantial work of TV or radio broadcast journalism, or a ‘long read’ text article containing multimedia elements for online delivery. Video or audio submissions will normally be 15-20 minutes in duration. Video projects will normally be in the form of an extended reporter piece or documentary; radio programmes may take the format of a long-form feature or documentary. A submission in the optional ’long read’ format will include all the elements required for publication of a text and multi-media package online. Whatever the format, the work will examine and relate a story in some detail. Parts of the production process may - by agreement with your supervisor - involve (mutual) collaboration with fellow students in technical areas, such as camera operations or recording, but the editorial content must be your own. Normal professional standards of referencing and sourcing, as generally practised in works of journalism, are expected. You will produce your report in accord with any professional or official Health and Safety guidelines in force at the time. You will also produce a reflective report, documenting and reflecting on your production process, its successes and its limitations. Earlier in the year, you will submit a proposal, outlining your story and how you intend to approach it, which will also be assessed.

Optional A Modules

(20 credits)

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN PRACTICE

Code PPLC7007B

Credits 20

Do you wish to pursue a career in international management and relations, multilingual business, or international development? Are you interested in becoming a more effective communicator in other professions such as translation, interpreting, education, and cultural mediation? In this module we will explore the issues fundamental to intercultural communication (IC) in practical contexts. You will examine the different ways of thinking about effective communication in a variety of work/organisation-based environments. During the seminars/lecture series, invited practitioners will introduce you to how IC operates in specific organisations, including government agencies or in multilingual business management. On completion of this module, you will have developed the linguistic skills, cultural competence, and critical thinking required for the production of an extended research project in intercultural communication. You will also have acquired a sense of how cultural assumptions may influence communication with others from different backgrounds, and developed a greater willingness to enter into dialogue with the values prevalent in cultures other than your own.

EUROPEAN UNION: POWER, POLITICS AND POLICY

Code PPLI7013B

Credits 20

What is the European Union: an international organisation, a federal political system or something else? Who rules the EU: the European Commission or its members states? What is the concrete impact of EU policies on EU citizens? Is the EU a global power? In an era of crises, will the EU survive? To address these questions and more, you will examine: the origins, development and recent history of the European Union; the dynamics of EU decision making: and critically assess the key theories, models and concepts used in the study of the EU. You will also examine the working of EU policies in key areas, such as the single market, economic and monetary union (the Euro), energy and climate change, international trade, and security and defence. You will explore the role and internal operation of the EU institutions, as well as the interaction between the EU and the member states, including what the obligations of membership imply for member countries and what these means for state sovereignty and democracy. You will look at the relationship between the EU and its neighbours (including the UK), the global south and world powers. Finally, you will debate some major challenges the EU is facing, from the Eurozone and migration crises to Brexit and to the EU's response to COVID-19. This module is suitable for students politics & public policy as well as international relations, as it covers themes that cut across both disciplines and draws from both public policies and IR theories.

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL MEDIA

Code PPLM7000A

Credits 20

Digital technologies are often hyped as revolutionising society. You will be introduced to the ways in which the internet and other digital technologies are (and are not) affecting society from theoretical and empirical perspectives. The module is divided into three blocks: the first introduces the theoretical debates surrounding digital media; the second discusses how our everyday interpersonal relations are affected by digital media; the third addresses the impact of digital technology on media and politics. Topics covered include: the network society; social networking and virtual communities, surveillance, digital journalism and online activism.

GENDER AND POWER

Code PPLM7015B

Credits 20

Thinkers such as bell hooks and Sara Ahmed have urged us to understand the need to “bring feminist theory home”. On this module, we consider the notions of gender and power alongside one another. We explore the power dynamics and structures which shape gendered experiences, and the inequalities that arise from related intersecting arenas of oppression. The module provides an overview of various contemporary feminist theories and invites critical reflection the relationship between feminist theory and lived experience, challenging the notion of a divide between the two. We will do so by considering the way in which feminist theories and gender-based activisms can variously inform, develop or critique one another. The module takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the fields of media, politics, sociology, philosophy and cultural studies, and we will examine the underlying epistemological and ontological principles and assumptions which shape how we experience our lives, the world around us and what we know about it. To help develop our understanding, our conversations in teaching sessions will revolve around group discussion, and in-class research of various activist campaigns, where we draw on real-life examples – from our own daily lives, news articles, social media, etc, as well as gender-based activism.

STUDYING MEDIA (STRAND B)

Code PPLM7021A

Credits 20

Strand B of Studying Media (Introductory Module for International Students, introducing them to the Foundations of Media and Cultural Studies.) Strand B Is for Home students and will look to critically engage with this key theory, while considering various research methods for engaging in contemporary media and cultural studies.

PUBLIC RELATIONS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND THE MEDIA

Code PPLX7005B

Credits 20

This module enables students to develop an advanced understanding of the theory and practice of public affairs, interest intermediation, and the strategies used by interest, advocacy groups and others to influence the political process. As well as covering the main debates in the academic literature, it draws directly on the experience of practitioners and offers unique insights into this under-studied area of politics.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalent

Degree subject

Any Subject

Additional entry requirements

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact university directly for further information.

This degree is particularly suitable for applicants who have gained an area of specialist knowledge at first degree level, and who wish to combine that with broadcast journalism expertise, opening up for themselves the possibility of a career in the media, perhaps as a specialist reporter or broadcaster.

The course is not suitable for students who have previously taken a professional qualification, such as an NCTJ or a BJTC Accredited Course. Such students, wishing to take a higher degree and extend their theoretical knowledge of Journalism and the Media, are advised to apply for the MA Media Culture and Society.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in all components)
PTE (Pearson): 76 (minimum 64 in all components)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests.

INTO UEA also run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk.