Course: News and Disinformation credits: 5

Course code
ICVB20THY5
Name
News and Disinformation
Study year
2023-2024
ECTS credits
5
Language
English
Coordinator
C. Schoonbeek
Modes of delivery
  • Tutorial
Assessments
  • News and Disinformation - Other assessment

Learning outcomes

These outcomes connect to the following Programme Learning Outcomes at level 3:

1. Context & strategy
PLO1: Analyse relevant developments for the organisation, monitor international and intercultural developments, and translate the implications for the organisation's communication policy.
PLO2: Monitor recent developments in the national and international professional field as well in as the media landscape, and use these insights for the organisation’s communication strategy.

2. Target group & behaviour
PLO3: Conduct research in a methodological way, use suitable research methods and evaluate the research.
PLO5: Assess insights from knowledge and theory in order to support effective communication interventions.


5. Persuasion & commitment
PLO10: Advise on the organisation's communication, taking into account the organisation's goals and communication strategy in a complex context.

Content

In recent years, an old phenomenon has resurfaced with a new face. Trolls, angry citizens and agents create rumours and falsify news to influence public opinion. They try to tarnish the reputation of their opposition or to enrich themselves. Algorithms from platforms such as Facebook contribute to this development.
 
The consequences are far-reaching. The public loses trust in journalistic reporting and democratic processes such as elections and referendums are under pressure. Organisations feel the effect of disinformation on their reputation.
 
But there is a counter movement. Governments and businesses are looking for ways to counteract the dangers, through the use of awareness campaigns, codes of conduct for news providers, support for journalistic organisations, and the development of tools to combat fake news and disinformation.

In this elective module we will research news and disinformation as follows:
We study the role of news in a society, define disinformation, study where disinformation originates and how it propagates, which interests it serves, consequences, and how to recognize and combat it. We do this from the perspective of a communication professional in an organisation. 

Form: lectures, discussions, student presentations on subtopics

Keywords: disinformation, journalistic criteria, news provision, digital platforms, fact checking, media literacy, reputation protection

Included in programme(s)

School(s)

  • School of Communication, Media & IT
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