Global Media: Policy Lab and Innovation

This course looks at media worldwide, some of the difficulties that journalists face, and solutions. We will look at a bit of history and theory to understand the media's role and how it can be supported. We will focus on a few basic interrelated themes: media innovation, media sustainability, investigative reporting, and the more recent problem of online disinformation. Guest lectures will be given by people at the cutting edge of media innovation and investigative journalism in both profit and non-profit organizations. Practical topics will be essential to this course: how do you build a media outlet that can be sustained financially? What are the evolving role of the donor community and media philanthropy? Who are the innovators in the quality media landscape worldwide, and what does it take for them to succeed? What policies can governments and donors adopt to support public service media? We start from the position that media freedom of expression and the safety of journalists is essential. We will consider both the soft and hard pressures on journalists and the effect that financial upheaval and digital technology have on free expression.  This course is more relevant and urgent than ever. Because of the rise of “democratators” worldwide and the ongoing repression of the media, we will necessarily discuss the role of demagogues, the need for regulation of the tech giants, and how to support the media as a Fourth Estate. The financial crisis faced by the media has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic, but this means the search for solutions has become more intense, and the field is awash with big ideas and creative thinking. It’s an exciting time to think about why journalism matters and what policies will help preserve it.  Students who take this course will become familiar with: Some of the major theories of journalism studies. The big ideas and policies that could help save quality journalism.  The worlds of media development and philanthropy. Different business models and sustainability of media outlets. Questions of measuring impact, including reach and influence. What it takes to innovate successfully. Research skills and critical/analytical thinking.