Press and Society

Newspapers and magazines play an important role in economic, political, social and personal life. Focusing primarily on the press in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, this subject examines the history of the press, the principles that underlie and inform the press, ongoing debates about quality and 'tabloidisation' and the opportunities and challenges posed by new technologies. A core theme running throughout the subject is the changing business model that underlies the press and effects these changes are having on the traditional role of the press in liberal democratic societies.

The Back Pages and Supplements

Are the back pages and supplements real journalism, or just a bit of colour? Sports, IT, culture, lifestyle and entertainment might be thought of as the soft-end of journalism, but they make up an enormous part of the news media. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-25
44:42

The Back Pages and Supplements (audio only)

Are the back pages and supplements real journalism, or just a bit of colour? Sports, IT, culture, lifestyle and entertainment might be thought of as the soft-end of journalism, but they make up an enormous part of the news media. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-25
44:42

Tabloids and Tabloidisation

Broadsheet good, Tabloid bad. That's one way of characterising the distinction between so-called 'quality' media and the tabloids. Another view has it that broadsheets and so-called quality news outlets are elitist and out of touch with people's everyday concerns. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-17
01:10:01

Tabloids and Tabloidisation (audio only)

Broadsheet good, Tabloid bad. That's one way of characterising the distinction between so-called 'quality' media and the tabloids. Another view has it that broadsheets and so-called quality news outlets are elitist and out of touch with people's everyday concerns. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-17
01:10:01

The Broken Business Model

How the business model of newspapers, magazines and increasingly, the book publishing industries is changing, and what the dynamics of the changing business model means for journalism. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-10
51:16

The Broken Business Model (audio only)

How the business model of newspapers, magazines and increasingly, the book publishing industries is changing, and what the dynamics of the changing business model means for journalism. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-10
51:16

Journalism: Profession vs Practice

Social media has changed our social reality — including journalism. Social media tools (including blogs, wikis, social networks and video sharing services) have undeniably blurred the boundaries between journalism as a practice and journalism as a profession. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-07
01:24:42

Journalism: Profession vs Practice (audio only)

Social media has changed our social reality — including journalism. Social media tools (including blogs, wikis, social networks and video sharing services) have undeniably blurred the boundaries between journalism as a practice and journalism as a profession. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

05-07
01:24:42

Sex, Lies and Videotape

A core function of the press is to reflect a society back to itself. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the case of the relations of the sexes. Indeed, in the west, at least, the press has played a key role in facilitating relations of equality — both directly as an employer of women and also in speaking up for the rights of women. Perhaps. But not always. This seminar examines how the press and journalists have helped to constitute and shape gender relations. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

04-27
01:28:49

Sex, Lies and Videotape (audio only)

A core function of the press is to reflect a society back to itself. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the case of the relations of the sexes. Indeed, in the west, at least, the press has played a key role in facilitating relations of equality — both directly as an employer of women and also in speaking up for the rights of women. Perhaps. But not always. This seminar examines how the press and journalists have helped to constitute and shape gender relations. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

04-27
01:28:49

The Propaganda Model and its Critics

Is the press free? Not everyone thinks so. Edward Hermann and Noam Chomsky argue that much of the news - even the most highly respected news outlets - subtly (and not-so-subtly) promote certain views and ideas while ignoring (or actively demonising) others. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

04-19
47:15

The Propaganda Model and its Critics (audio only)

Is the press free? Not everyone thinks so. Edward Hermann and Noam Chomsky argue that much of the news - even the most highly respected news outlets - subtly (and not-so-subtly) promote certain views and ideas while ignoring (or actively demonising) others. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

04-19
46:44

Ownership and Control

What is the pattern of newspaper ownership in Australia? Does it matter who owns the press or how many people own it - particularly given the rise of new technologies? Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

04-04
01:24:32

Ownership and Control (audio only)

What is the pattern of newspaper ownership in Australia? Does it matter who owns the press or how many people own it - particularly given the rise of new technologies? Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

04-04
01:24:32

New Values: Freedom, Truth, and Objectivity

What are the values of the fourth estate? Chief among them are truth, objectivity and freedom. All of these values are controversial. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

03-29
01:55:42

New Values: Freedom, Truth, and Objectivity (audio only)

What are the values of the fourth estate? Chief among them are truth, objectivity and freedom. All of these values are controversial. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

03-29
01:55:42

The Press and Society

The press exists to serve a society - or at least different communities within a society. Successful media outlets respond to, and met the needs of readers, right? The reality is more complex. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

03-22
01:44:44

The Press and Society (audio only)

The press exists to serve a society - or at least different communities within a society. Successful media outlets respond to, and met the needs of readers, right? The reality is more complex. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

03-22
01:44:44

A (Very) Brief History of the Press

How did we get here? In this seminar, we take a step backwards to examine the rise of the press within the larger context of the development of the public sphere, civil society and the transition from monarchical rule to parliament. We also look at the development of the press in Australia, with early examples of Australian newspapers. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

03-15
01:33:55

A (Very) Brief History of the Press (audio only)

How did we get here? In this seminar, we take a step backwards to examine the rise of the press within the larger context of the development of the public sphere, civil society and the transition from monarchical rule to parliament. We also look at the development of the press in Australia, with early examples of Australian newspapers. Copyright 2012 Christopher Scanlon / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

03-15
01:33:55

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