PS9500 Safety of journalists Course description

The course gives an introduction to the field of safety of journalists as one of scientific knowledge and institutional practices. Attacks on media professionals is a growing problem globally and threats and violence against journalists affect freedom of expression and the public sphere. Threats towards the safety of journalists raise questions of resistance and resilience, and of the responsibilities of individuals, institutions and societies. The aim of the course is to educate journalism researchers in the analytical and practical tools needed to investigate, understand, and improve journalists’ safety in an ever-evolving, transnational landscape of political and physical insecurity.

The course consists of two main thematic components:

• Central scholarly traditions and theoretical debates in the field of the safety of journalists in Norwegian and international contexts
• Knowledge from practical experiences of the safety of journalists worldwide at individual, institutional and structural levels.

The course is elective and open for all candidates in the specialization in Journalism and Media studies

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and general competence).

Knowledge The candidate

• has in-depth knowledge of and insight into the study of the safety of journalisms internationally and have a good overview of the main lines of argument in central theoretical and professional debates in the field.
• has in-depth knowledge and understanding of key theoretical approaches and is familiar with cutting edge knowledge including aspects of digital safety, self-censorship, gender issues, investigating sensitive issues, covering protests, war and conflict, journalistic collaborations, financial and legal security of journalists.
• has knowledge about measures that can improve the situation for journalists and journalism, including the role of UN, UNESCO and NGOs in the field of freedom of speech and journalism.

Skills The candidate

• can compare, analyse and contribute to developing concepts and ideas in the field of the safety of journalists
• can reflect on and communicate the research in the field and its development in abroader conceptual context

General competence

• assessing and identifying new research questions in the field.
• taking part in collaborative learning methods such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
• taking part in debates in national and international fora.

The course consists of lectures, discussions, presentation of candidates’ own research, and commenting on others' work.

Teaching is organised as a combination of lectures, discussions and presentations by the candidates in which selected classic texts (books and/or articles), literature reviews and meta- analyses are discussed, and topical research presented. The seminar form supports the candidates’ practical training in presenting their own research and commenting on others’. An Online International Learning approach will be used to create equitable team-taught learning environments emphasizing collaborative candidate learning.

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Participation is mandatory and expected in all lectures and seminars. Only a minor absence can be accepted in certain circumstances after application. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted alternative arrangements such as active reading of the relevant syllabus literature.

Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit a final essay.

Confirmed participation in the course and accepted final essay gives 5 ECTS credits. A final essay of between 7-10 pages (Arial /Calibri font size 12, spacing 1,5) shall be submitted within 2 months of course conclusion. The quality should give a clear indication that the essay can be developed into a publishable article The students are encouraged to work in cross-country teams and publish joint essays, for instance based on small research conducted jointly. If two students work together the length of the final essay will be approx. 14-18 pages.

Assessment is pass/ fail. If an essay is considered not passed, the candidate may submit a revised essay once within a specified time.

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.

Assessment is pass/ fail. If an essay is graded fail, the candidate has one opportunity to resubmit a revised essay within a given time period.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer.