• Korean journal of communication and information
• /
• v.17
• /
• pp.61-84
• /
• 2001

Discussions and debates over media education abound in Korra as the number of both institutions that provide media related education and students enrollment for these programs increases rapidly in recent years. In spite of this rather impressive expansion, however, many have raised serious questions about media education of Korea for its not being able to meet the need of the Industry and students, and, moreover, inability to face the challenges brought by new communication related technologies. Who teaches What for what purposes are some of the fundamental questions underlying these heated debates and discussions. To understand these rather complex and interrelated issues more clearly, it is attempted to delineate the nature of these debates by exploring the evolutionary process of media education. The issues related to debates over purposes of media education, curriculum, and faculty qualification have changed through the history of media education, but the nature of the debates, that is the struggle between professionalism and academism, or the tension between practice and theory, has not. Upon this understanding, some argue that what distinguishes opposing sets of dichotomies, such as skills vs. knowledge, training vs. education, now-how vs. know-why. professional vs. academic, practice vs. theory, is more a reflection of social class division and group interests which have privileged theory over practice than a rational scholastic distinction. In addition, it has been often pointed out that the media studies have failed to establish ties with specific industries, and furthermore academic studies seriously lack solid theoretical and practical bases. In the case of the United States, leaders of the industry had contributed much for the Initiation of journalism education in a college setting. However, once inaugurated,, the process of its evolution has depended heavily on academicians. In a country like Korea, where academic and theoretical orientation is much stronger, these problems of media studies and education are even more acute. In this study, it is suggested that academicians and educators be more open-hearted to the realities of changing world, practices of the industries, and recruitment of professionals and practitioners to fill the gap between practice and theory, for the sake of the future of media studies and education.

• Korean journal of communication and information
• /
• v.38
• /
• pp.183-210
• /
• 2007

The study tried to explore ordinary people's press fairness concept being neglected by the mainstream of fairness research thus far. With empirical standpoint, this study first investigated (un)fairness concept held by general audience, and then compared it with existing ones long suggested by experts such as scholars and media workers. Also, the study examined audience's concept construct in terms of its characteristics and implications. A systematic sample of 300 adults in Seoul was interviewed and their answers (instances of press unfairness) were analyzed and categorized. The most serious problem in fairness, they pointed, was that the press's not neutral. Also, truth and balance were importantly raised as a press problem with regard to fairness. The result showed press ethics and commercial morals could be a significant element for people's view on press fairness. These elements are new to the literature and heuristic regarding how to approach toward fairness issue in our society. The study also discusses the implications of other findings.

• Korean journal of communication and information
• /
• v.53
• /
• pp.29-52
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study is to explore the influence exerted by integration of newsroom upon creation, organization, and operation of news, efficiency during the process of creating news, and the qualitative level of journalism. This study has also utilized a quantitative and qualitative survey method that compares the results of survey on perception of media personnel with the results of case studies. The survey on perception is based on a questionnaire survey separately conducted on changes to organizational operation after integration among executives of top 170 newspapers in USA selected based on circulation. The details of survey include the influence of 1) Change in the system of news coverage and reporting, 2) Qualitative change to journalism, and 3) The differing backgrounds of constituent members upon operation of the integrated newsroom. Moreover, to find out whether the quantitative index shown by the perception survey is actually reflected on the media which operates an integrated newsroom, this study has conducted an in depth interview with related personnel of New York Times and Media General in USA, TMG of UK, Nordjyske of Denmark, and CBS in Korea and also engaged in literature survey. The results of the surveys are as follows. First, this study found that unlike the assertions of many earlier studies, integration of the newsroom generally exerts positive influence upon the organizational operation of a media corporation. Second, after integration, inefficiency of the past for the organization in general including coverage and reporting system, communication within and outside the organization, output of journalists, etc. decreased, and synergistic effect was created. Third, integration of the newsroom generally exercised positive influence upon enhancing the qualitative level of journalism. Fourth, while the current personnel of media generally offered positive assessment of integrating constituent members of differing backgrounds as one newsroom, the case study also showed that there are many negative aspects to it.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.49-69
• /
• 2019

Over the last couple of years, digital diplomacy has become a fascinating area of research among Mass Communication, Peace and Conflict Studies, and International Affairs scholars. Social media and new technology open up new avenues for governments, individuals, and organizations to engage with foreign audiences. However, developing countries' governments are still lacking in the realization of the potential of social media. This study aims to analyze the usage of social media (Facebook & Twitter) by the two biggest countries in South Asia (Pakistan and India). I selected 10 government officials' social media accounts including prime ministers', national press offices', military public relations offices', public diplomacy divisions', and ministries of foreign offices' profiles. The study relies on quantitative content analysis and a comparative research approach. The total number of analyzed Twitter tweets (n=1,015) and Facebook posts (n=1,005) include 10 accounts, five from each country. In light of Kent and Taylor's (1998) dialogic communication framework, the results indicate that no digital engagement and dialogue occurs between government departments and the public through social networking sites. Government departments do not engage with local or foreign audiences through digital media. When comparing both countries, results reveal that India has more institutionalized and organized digital diplomacy. In terms of departmental use of social media, the digital diplomacy division and foreign office of India is more active than other government departments in that nation. Meanwhile, Pakistan's military public relations office and press office is more active than its other government departments. In conclusion, both countries realize the potential of social media in digital diplomacy, but still lack engagement with foreign audiences.