Class Theories of Journalism

In Theories of Journalism, the roots of university studies in the area of journalism are sought, the concept of journalistic objectivity is analyzed and the power of journalism and journalists is discussed. The goal is to unveil the backstage of the media and deconstruct the path that information takes until it becomes news. The contemporary crisis of journalism and its implications for the future of the profession and democracy will be debated throughout the semester.

Not applicable

1. From roots to theories  1.1. The emergence of media studies 1.2. Theories on media and journalism      1.2.1. Mirror Theory       1.2.2. Gatekeeper Theory       1.2.3. Organisational Theory       1.2.4. Agenda-Setting Theory       1.2.5. Constructivist theories 1.3. Objectivity: a weapon of defence for the profession? 2. The power of journalism  2.1. The ‘natural history’ of Media Theory 2.2. The ideological nature of news 2.3. Media: ‘instrument of power’, ‘fourth estate’ or ‘counterpower’? 2.4. Reconfiguration of media power 3. The power of journalists 3.1. The place of journalists in political and media devices 3.2. Journalism in the field of communication professions 3.3. The field of journalism 3.4. Journalistic autonomy and independence 4. The future of journalism 4.1. Crisis(es) in journalism 4.2. Journalism and democracy 4.3. New trends 4.3.1. Constructive journalism; 4.3.2. Solutions journalism; 4.3.3. Interconnected journalism.

Analysis of practical cases, which allow the perception of the theoretical concepts taught during the semester.

Bourdieu, P. (1997). Sobre a Televisão, Celta. Correia, J. C. (2011). O Admirável Mundo das Notícias - Teorias e Métodos. LabCom Books. Fowler-Watt, K., & Allan, S. (Eds.). (2013). Journalism: New Challenges. Bournemouth University. Kovach, B. e Rosenstiel, T. (2004). Os Elementos do Jornalismo – O que os profissionais do jornalismo devem saber e o público deve exigir. Porto Editora. McQuail, D. (2003). Teoria da Comunicação de Massas. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Mesquita, M. (2004). O Quarto Equívoco – O Poder dos Media na Sociedade Contemporânea. Minerva-Coimbra. Schudson, M. (2008). News and democratic society: Past, present, and future. The Hedgehog Review, 10(2), 7–22. Traquina, N. (2002). Jornalismo. Quimera. Traquina, N. (Org.) (1993). Jornalismo: Questões, Teorias e «Estórias». Vega. Wahl-Jorgensen, K., & Hanitzsch, T. (Eds.). (2020). The Handbook of Journalism Studies (2.a ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315167497