Specialized Reporting—Health and Environmental reporting (4 CREDITS)
Course Description
This course offers students the basic understanding of key concepts in specialized reporting that focuses on particular fields in journalism and mass communication. Thus, the main purpose of this course is to discuss important health and environmental issues of concern in Africa and the role of the mass media in creating public awareness about these issues. It seeks to equip students with skills and knowledge that would help them produce accurate, honest, informed and balanced reports about health and environmental issues.
Learning outcomes
· Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in specialized reporting that focuses on
particular fields in journalism and mass communication
· Demonstrate basic reporting skills in the specialized field
· Write publishable news stories
· Exhibit mastery of the art of interviewing for stories in the specialized area
· Demonstrate considerable knowledge of the techniques for writing good features
· Demonstrate an understanding of role of research news writing in the chosen field
Course Content
Introduction to Specialized Reporting
• Health Reporting
• Environmental reporting
Theories
• Theories applied to health reporting
• Theories applied to environmental reporting
Legal Framework
• Legal framework regulating health reporting
• Legal framework regulating environmental reporting
Code of conduct
• Code of Conduct for health reporting
• Code of conduct for environmental reporting
Writing for Media as Specialized Reporter
• Gathering News
• Writing and reporting
Health
• Water-borne diseases
• Human settlement
• Food Production
• Fake drugs
Environment
· Energy issues
· Dumping of toxic waste
· Illegal mining and its effects
· Deforestation
· Pollution
Required Reading Materials
· Kwame, Boafo, S.T. (1991). Module on Specialised Reporting. Nairobi: African Council for Communication Education.
· Harrower, Tim. (2010). Inside Reporting: A Practical Guide to the Craft of Journalism. New Delhi: McGraw Hill Education.
· Riley, P.L. (2009). Media Ethics: Key Principles for Responsible Practice. UK: ITDGPublishing.
Optional Reading Materials
· Missouri group. (2008). News Reporting and Writing. (9th ed.). New York: Bedford Ltd.
· Dickens, P. (2004). Society & Nature, Policy. UK: Press Ltd.