Module 5: Finances

The economic structure of mass media can and does shape how journalism is practiced. While a commercial media, such as that in the U.S., enjoys freedom from government control, it faces other pressures on its performance from the requirement to make profits and satisfy (sometimes numerous and fickle) owners. How the Internet is presenting some challenges to traditional economic formulas but also might make worse some of the constraints on media’s ability to produce quality news, is the subject of the next chapter.

Learning Objectives:

  • Examine how larger economic forces and structures play out in the news media system;
  • Explore what it means for the press in the U.S. to be “commercial” and what the implications of a commercial structure are for good journalism practice;
  • Discuss the fundamental tension between profit-making and public service in journalism;
  • Analyze ways in which the Internet is changing and challenging journalism’s traditional economic model.

Learning Activities:

  1. Read Chapter Four 
  2. Gather information for 4th beat story
  3. Read Classmate’s Fact-Check of your knowledge paper
  4. If you haven’t yet, schedule an individual appt with Dr. Loggins
  5. Read the Guest column & watch or participate in the Zoom Q&A

Assignments (Due by 9 am CT on 10/27):

  1. [Blog Post 8]: The leveraged buyout of a media company
  2. [Peer Review 1]: Complete the first Fact-Check on your peers’ draft knowledge papers – Use the category of “Peer Review 1” to make your post. (Due by 10/20 at 9 am CT)
  3. [Guest Questions 4]: Provide a question for Sherman Smith with the Kansas Reflector
  4. [Bb Quiz 5]: Chapter 4 Quiz will open October 21 or 22 so it can include a question from our module guest.
  5. [Midterm Survey] Your next knowledge paper will be a little shorter thanks to your initial feedback. Now that you have finished our first four modules. Please update your responses. This survey is also worth one half-point of extra credit. It closes at the end of this module.
  6. [Biweekly Article 4]: Fourth beat story – Use the category of “4th Beat Story” to make your post. (Due by 10/29 at 9 am CT)
  7. [Presentation 1]: Create a blog post to share your knowledge paper – Use the category of “Presentation 1” to make your post.

In Our Blended Class:

  • Tu 10/13 Finalize Fact-Checks in-class
  • Th 10/15 Discuss text & work on activity
  • Tu 10/20 Meet with guest
  • Th 10/22 No Meeting
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