Global Media: Innovation & Policy Lab

This course looks at media around the world, the difficulties that journalists face, Big Tech’s corruption of the global public information ecosystem, and the effect this has had on people, society, and democracies. We will look at history and theory in order to understand the role the media plays, how it can be supported, and what has happened to society since the gatekeeping role of the media was  upended by the rise of Big Tech. The usurping of advertising revenue by Big Tech and the micro targeting of audiences will be understood through our discussion of business models/media innovation/media sustainability, and policy solutions. We will discuss the need for new business models, look at the experiences of Rappler, and familiarize ourselves with the world of non-profit, philanthropic journalism.  We will also consider the role of investigative reporting, the problems of online mis/ disinformation, and how Generative AI  may upend journalism. Given that we are in an election year, these questions are pressing. This class will be timely and urgent.

Guest lectures will be given after class, some weeks (from 1-2 pm) by people at the cutting edge of media innovation and investigative journalism in both profit and non-profit organizations. Some of your work will be read by organizations working on media policy. We have a track record of helping them with our research.

The financial crisis faced by the media has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemicq, 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. We’re in transition and where it will go we don’t know where it’s going. 

Students who take this course will become familiar with:

• Some of the major theories of journalism studies and the evolving public information ecosystem
• The big ideas and policies that could help save quality journalism.  
• The worlds of media development and philanthropy. 
• Different business models and the sustainability of media outlets.
• Ways to measure journalism impact, including reach, influence, and concrete change
• Technology and its transformational effects, including how journalism can survive
• Research skills and critical/analytical thinking.