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With the unbundling of Mass Communication programme in Nigeria, the face of communication education in the country has changed. The programme has transited into a full college/faculty while individual courses have adapted to the change. While several new courses now exist in the seven new departments, some of the courses you used to know before have also taken a new shape. We have done a thorough research on what these courses offer in universities across the world; and we have provided prototype syllabus for students to study ahead. This is also to assist lecturers who might be facing new challenges with several new courses to have an idea of what the syllabus of each course offers.
COURSE COMPACT
Faculty: Communication and Media Studies Department: Journalism & Media Studies
Course Code: CMS 404 Unit(s): 2 Semester: First
Course Title: Safety of Media Professionals
Lecturer: Programme: B.Sc.
(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
This course is designed to expose students to the issues and challenges involved in safeguarding the lives of journalists whose work put them in harm’s way. It discusses various dangers faced by journalists and other media professionals both locally and internationally, including depth analysis of institutional and other remedies for ensuring a safe work environment for media workers. Students will learn about various organizations that engage in protection of journalists, Freedom of Information Act and how it applies to the journalism profession, historical and conceptual overview of Press Freedom Index, and general analysis of press free freedom and brutality in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
1. Meaning of key concepts such as media professional, safety of media professional, protection of journalists, press freedom
2. Types of Dangers Faced by Media Professionals
3. Types of Dangers Faced by Media Professionals
4. Overview of press freedom in Nigeria
5. Press Freedom/Safety of Media Professionals in Various Continents
6. Meaning and relevance of UNESCO Journalists’ safety Indicators
7. Depth analysis of Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)
8. Issues in Safety of Media Professionals
(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY
- Lectures
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Practical Classroom Sessions
(D). COURSE OUTLINE
1. Introduction
Meaning of key concepts on safety of media professionals (Media professional, safety of media professional, protection of journalists, press freedom, etc.).
2. Types of Dangers Faced by Media Professionals
The range of threats they are confronted to include murder, kidnapping, hostage-taking, offline and online harassment, intimidation, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention and torture.
3. Overview of press freedom in Nigeria
Pre-independence era
Post-independence era
Military era
Present situation
4. Press Freedom/Safety of Media Professionals in Various Continents
Africa
Europe
America
The Middle East
Other Asian Countries
Classroom activities on Analysis of press freedom/brutality and safety of media professional in various continents
5. Organizations Involved in Protection of Journalists
Press Freedom Groups
Internet Freedom Communities & Groups
Professional Training Organizations
Investigative Reporting Groups
6. UNESCO Journalists’ safety Indicators
What is safety indicator?
Relevance of Safety Indicators
Historical Overview of UNESCO Journalists’ Safety Indicators
Two Sets of UNESCO Journalists’ safety indicators (National level Indicators;
International Level Indicators)
7. Press Freedom Index
Meaning of Press Freedom Index
Historical Overview of Press Freedom Index
8. Freedom of Information Act
Defining key concepts (what is freedom of information, freedom of information act, data protection)
Basic Knowledge: An overview of FOIA in Nigeria, its structure and core provisions including the definition of “recorded information”
Organisations FOIA applies to and the Codes of Practice
Exemptions of FOIA in Nigeria
Determining what is personal data and special category personal data in the context of FOI requests
FOIA in other Countries (comparative analysis)
How to make an FOI request
When request can be turned down
What to do if request is turned down
Does the FOIA Work in Nigeria?
9. Issues in Safety of Media Professionals
The issues/ challenges involved in safeguarding the lives of journalists
Institutional remedies
Other remedies
How to play safe
10. Safe behaviour for journalists during emergencies and armed conflicts
Reporting armed conflicts and crisis
Safety measures for journalists
Working with victims, suffering populations and humanitarian organizations in armed conflict zones
Working with security officials during armed conflicts/crisis situations
11. Fostering a Climate for Prevention of attacks/Safety for Media Professionals
Upholding basic legal protection for journalists (Right to life, Right to Freedom of expression)
Punishing crimes against freedom of expression
Speaking out Against attacks on journalists
Education and training of State Agencies and officials on protection of journalists
Documenting attacks on media workers and punishments against such, to prevent future occurrence
Ensuring an environment for a free media (confidentiality of sources; protection of rights of journalists)
(E). IMPORTANT LINKS
CPJ Journalists Security Guide
The Freedom of Information Act 2011 (FOI) – What It Means For You
An Overview of The Freedom Of Information Act (An Appraisal from a Lawyer’s Perspective)
Freedom of Information Act (2011)
Freedom of Information and Data Protection
Bleak Outlook For Press Freedom In Nigeria
Worsening State Of Press Freedom In West Africa
Towards an effective framework of protection for the work of journalists and an end to impunity
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