The development of this course has been funded by the Curriculum Resource Center (“CRC”) at the Central European University (“CEU”), whose programs are partially funded by the Higher Education Support Program (“HESP”). The opinions expressed herein are the author’s own and do not necessarily express the views of CEU.
Lecturer: Munkmandakh Myagmar Host Institution: Press Institute of Mongolia Course Title: The Broadcast Media in Mongolia: Historical, Political and Cultural Aspects in the System Year of CDC Grant: 2002 / 2003
Introduction
The course "Broadcast Media in Mongolia. Historical and Cultural Aspects in the System" can be related to the field of "Historical and systematical communications science" within the Media and Communications sciences. The course concentrates on the development aspects of mass media in Mongolia, but it also provides a basic understanding of media development processes in a global perspective, analyzing the history of media culture in different continents in a social and economic context. Media and Communications sciences and their different study areas are yet undeveloped fields in Mongolia, consequently, the process of information production and distribution and its different elements do not belong in the curriculum of universities. The course is based on the theoretical keystones of communication theories and further exploration on examples of the development of broadcast media in Mongolia and other countries. In particular, students will learn to understand and assess the role of media in their complexity, and the interrelations of the media and society. Starting with the basic subjects such as the term "communication", the different types of communication, the evolution of mass communication, the role and functions of mass media, students develop the essential skills to make independent assessments towards concepts such as "freedom of media versus the responsibility of journalists", "public service media" and its importance for the development of a democratic society and the ability to assess the current media situation in a political, legal and cultural context. Within the frames of the course students will learn to analyze the current situation of broadcast media in Mongolia in the context of social and political developments as well as global trends. In connection with this issue the broadcasting policy in Mongolia has been explored and the question, what is policy and how it can be influenced by journalists. An important part of the course is to explore the concept of "public service broadcasting", its history and development trends in other countries.
Since the course has been newly introduced in the curriculum of the host university, and in Mongolia there are no reading materials on the above subjects (in Mongolian), no particular theoretical knowledge related to the subject can be requested from our students. However, the course is developed for students of the 3rd semester, assuming that students on this level should have developed basic skills to share opinions, make personal assessments, make comparative analysis, see interrelations etc. Furthermore, part of the course deals with the Mongolian media landscape and in this relation the students are expected to be able to characterize the state of the media in general and from different perspectives as well. The course lasts for 2 semesters, during the first of which students learn the basic theoretical concepts and explore the state of media development in Mongolia in general. The second semester will be dedicated to exploring the structure of the media system in Mongolia, the state of broadcast media, the social and legal environment, the concept of public service broadcasting, financing the public service broadcasting, control mechanisms, public service versus commercial media, programming. An understanding will be developed about the use and terms such as "media policy", "policy and policy making," etc. in order to develop the basis for understanding and evaluating the broadcasting situation in Mongolia. At the end of the course students will try to develop an alternative strategy to improve the broadcasting system in Mongolia, assess the role of professional groups, etc.
Objectives of the course
The major goal of the course is to develop the ability of students to understand the interrelation of (broadcast) media and the social development in a broad sense, to assess the current situation of the electronic media in Mongolia on the basis of their knowledge about global trends and media systems in other countries. In contrast to courses traditionally offered at schools of journalism in Mongolia, this course does not concentrate on the problems of practical journalism, but intends to develop a competence to evaluate social interrelations in their complexity and assess their role in this system. Therefore the course seeks to develop the awareness of the role of journalists with regard to their responsibility in the society, as well as concerning their role as potential actors in policy making The first part of the course, which took 6 months (1 semester) aimed at providing a theoretical basis and develop skills necessary for further explorations in relation to Mongolian broadcast media. After the first part students acquired a basic understanding of the term "communication" and its different types, the elements of mass communication, the concepts of the role of the media in the society, the development of media in different countries in a social and economic context, global media development trends, the role and responsibilities of communicators (journalists), the legal framework for the development of media, the concept of media freedom, etc.
III Course Details
SYNOPSIS OF LECTURES AND SEMINARS
Week 1: Objective: to determine the level of students’ knowledge and skills in general and on the subject, and the expectations from the course. Introduction to the course plan. Introduce and develop an understanding of the basic term (communication), the model of the communication process and types of communication.
Introductory seminar: Introduction of students, introduction of the host school by students; the expectations of students from the school and from the course in particular. Group discussion on the state of media in Mongolia and the challenges of journalists. The students’ knowledge and their weaknesses will be estimated in general based on the presentations, group discussions and assessments in order for these to be reflected in the course plan and the content of the lectures and seminars. An overview of the subjects to be introduced and discussed during the course.
Lecture: Communication, the evolution of communication process, types of communication
The lecture provides the definition of "communication" based on the model of the communication process and explanations by simple examples, and explores factors that influence the communication process. The lecture investigates the evolution of the communication process in connection with human development, including the beginnings of the language, the development of print technology, new distribution systems, different forms of electronic communication. Different types of communication and their distinguishing qualities: intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication and mass communication are introduced.
Homework: Investigate the evolution of communication in Mongolia (oral communication, first printing facilities, first book, the development of newspapers, the introduction of other means of communication). Explain this evolution process in connection with social and economic developments in Mongolia.
Week 2: Objective: to repeat and improve the knowledge provided the week before: to ensure that students understand communication as a process, they can distinguish between different types of communication, they can define the factors of communication and explain them by using their own examples. To provide a new knowledge based on the definition of mass communication from the previous lecture to develop an understanding of "mass communication."
Seminar: The evolution of communication in Mongolia Student presentations on the results of their investigation on the development of communication in Mongolia: ancient evidences of communication (e.g. cave drawings), the advantages and disadvantages of the first printing facilities, historical circumstances, the introduction of books, the development of newspapers, radio and television. - What was the functional challenge that had an influence on the development of the forms of communication? - How did the introduction of every medium/form of communication influence the development of the society?
Lecture: Mass communication, parameters of mass communication The lecture provides a summary of the previous lecture. The main characteristics distinguishing mass communication from other types of communication are outlined. Various definitions of the "mass media" are provided, and the lecture explains the differences between the forms of "mass communication" and other types of communication by using examples. It explores the social context of mass communication and introduces the new trends in the development of mass communication and its changing definitions.
Week 3 Objective: Based on the knowledge acquired during the first 2 weeks we explore the role and functions of mass communication in the society. We create awareness that mass media do not operate in a vacuum but in a concrete social framework, influencing and being under the influence of these concrete social (political, economic and other) circumstances.
Lecture: The role and functions of mass communication in the society The lecture examines various results of media research on the role of media in the everyday life and explores a comparative analysis of media effects in different societies. The explorations in the functions of mass media are summarized. The lecture provides factors, which influence the role of media in different societies. The recent trends of the media industry, the changing functions of media. Homework: investigate the changing role of mass media in Mongolia before and after 1990.
Seminar: The role of mass media in Mongolia under different social circumstances Student presentations and group discussions about the role of mass media in Mongolia under different social and political circumstances. - What was the main function of mass media in Mongolia until 1990? Why? What was the role of journalists? - How did the role of mass media change in the everyday life and in the society? What were the main reasons for this?
Week 4 Objective: To improve the knowledge and understanding of students about the mutual interrelations of media development and the socio-economic status of the society through summarizing the information and knowledge gained in the previous weeks, and developing the parameters of social development that influence the status, role and functions of media in different countries.
Lecture: An introduction to the history of mass communication. The lecture presents the main historical events and stages of the development of mass communication worldwide in the context of the economic and social progress. We define the basic terms and parameters needed to be familiar with in order to understand and compare the media status in different countries (social, cultural, economic, political structures, criteria for defining the media freedom, ownership, cross ownership, the definition and the basic qualities of "public service broadcasting" etc.)
Seminar: Presentations of students: Media development and the society. A summary of the previous lectures and group discussions. Brainstorming and discussion on the criteria to characterize and compare media development and status in different countries. - What did we learn from the pervious lectures and seminars about the interrelation of the media development and social, economic and political circumstances? - What kind of basic information should we have in order to characterize the status of media in a certain country? - What is "media freedom"? How to determine whether there is media freedom in a certain country? - What is the basic distinguishing quality of "public service broadcasting?"
Weeks 5 - 9 Objective: To improve the understanding of the mutual interrelations of the media development and the social, economic and political situation by examples of the media status in different countries. To develop the ability of students to compare the media structures on the basis of common criteria proposed during the week 4 seminar.
Seminars: During each seminar during weeks 5 to 9 students, summarize the state of media in a respective country, based on the knowledge obtained in the previous lectures. The summary, in a form of a table, sorted out by countries, serves as a basis for a comparative analysis. Furthermore, as a preparation for the next lecture, students investigate and present on their own the basic geographical, geopolitical, social, cultural, economic and political factors, which might have influenced the media development in the respective countries.
Lectures: The lectures of weeks 5 to 9 provide a summary of the history, the main historical events and the current status of the media in the respective countries, and highlight the distinctions and similarities of countries with comparable social, economic and political backgrounds (USA and Canada, Countries of Western Europe, African countries etc).
Week 5: Development of mass media in the USA, Canada, Mexico Week 6: Development of mass media: Western and Eastern Europe Week 7: Development of mass media in Asia Pacific: India, China, Japan Week 8: Development of mass media in Australia and New Zealand Week 9: Development of mass media in the Middle East and Africa
Week 10 Objective: To create awareness and an understanding of the recent trends of human development in a global perspective, to develop the ability of recognizing these trends with the media development and its future prospects.
Homework: prepare presentations about the effects of globalization in Mongolia, particularly in the media field, and explain its advantages and disadvantages.
Seminar: Brainstorming and discussion on the term "globalization" - pros and contras. Presentation by students about the effects of globalization in Mongolia - What do you mean by the term "globalization"? - Give international examples of globalization and examples in Mongolia. - What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization? - How did the media change in connection with globalization? - What should be undertaken in order to prevent the negative effects of globalization? - Do we need a "national identity"? If yes, why?
Lecture: Globalization and mass media The lecture intends to create an understanding of the use of the term "globalization", and to introduce different ideas and discourses around "globalization". The effects of globalization in the media development in an international perspective. Examples of the consequences of globalization in the Mongolian media world.
Week 11 Objective: To assess the knowledge and skills gained by students in a test. To develop the ability of students to use the acquired knowledge in characterizing the media development in their own countries.
Seminar: Test on the subjects examined during weeks 1 to 10: - Define the term "communication" based on the model of communication, and describe the different types of communication and their distinctive qualities. - Describe the parameters of mass communication. What kind of factors influences the role of mass media in different countries? Give examples. - Compare the media structures in the USA and Western European countries, and justify the differences and similarities by historical, social and economic backgrounds - Compare the role of the media in Mongolia under different social and political circumstances, and justify these differences.
Lecture: The development of Mongolian mass media until 1990: social, cultural, political and economic aspects The lecture provides a summary of the main stages of the history of Mongolian mass media from the beginnings (1913) until the end of the 80s in connection with the respective social, political and economic circumstances. A critical overview of the historical interpretations in socialist times.
Week 12 Objective: To improve the skills of students to make a media status assessment based on parameters developed in the course of the previous lectures and seminars in order to define the current status of media in Mongolia. To provide background information for the media development in a social context.
Homework: investigate the current structure and status of the Mongolian media: the number of media outlets, circulation, ownership, affiliation, structure of broadcast and print media, legal status, comments on programming/publication policy.
Seminar: Presentation by students on the current status of media in Mongolia. Personal comments by students and discussions on the programming/publication policies and the challenges to journalists under current circumstances.
Lecture: The development of Mongolian mass media in the past decade. The current structure of the Mongolian media system The lecture describes the main social, economic and cultural changes in the society since 1990, and the main changes in the structure of the media and in the Mongolian journalism. Journalistic education in Mongolia and the challenges of an alternative media development.
Week 13 Objective To examine and improve the understanding of students concerning the legal framework of the development of the media. To improve the common understanding (among Mongolian students) about the much promoted obligation of media to inform the public about government activities. To train and assist students in making their own assessments about the much- discussed issue: whether there is media freedom in Mongolia. To provide the necessary information for the judgment.
Lecture: The legal framework for the development of media. Government and the media. Media freedom in Mongolia The lecture examines the main legal regulations of the media, which are shared in democratic countries, and the reasons why these regulations are necessary. It determines which of these regulations are available in Mongolia and to which extent. The relations of the government and media in a historical perspective (repeating the examples already examined earlier) are explored and we draw a conclusion.
Seminar: We revise and improve the understanding of the term "media freedom" studied during week 4 and explored in the course of previous weeks on the examples of different countries. - What do you mean by "media freedom"? - How can we assess the status of "media freedom" in different countries? Examples of the assessments done by different international organizations. - What do you think about the state of media freedom in Mongolia? What was particularly important for establishing/developing media freedom in Mongolia? - What are the challenges for the strengthening of media freedom in Mongolia?
Week 14 Objective: To emphasize that despite the external social circumstances and a certain degree of dependence from the organizations they work for, journalists still have some power, and for this reason they have to bear certain responsibilities to the public. To improve the understanding of the role of journalists in the society, to present common ways to improve the journalists’ credibility and image.
Lecture: The role of journalists. The image, credibility, and power of journalists. Internal democracy in the Mongolian media. The lecture explores the factors journalists are dependent on and the power journalists have (such as selecting the information they wish to distribute, making further investigations, writing in a certain style, editing, etc.) We discuss the various results of the communicator research, and explore the self-image of journalists based on research results and the role of journalists expected by the public. We examine the changing image and credibility of journalists and explore the reasons for the change. The lecture refers to the principle and ways to secure internal democracy in media organizations and analyzes the situation in Mongolian editorial offices.
Homework: investigate the situation of Mongolian journalists with regard to their independence, and collect journalists’ opinions on the challenges they face.
Seminar: Presentation by students and discussions on the power of Mongolian journalists. Work in groups to propose how to improve the independence and the image of journalists under current social circumstances.
Week 15 Objective: To develop the understanding of the use and meaning of the terms "ethics", "moral", and "responsibility". To give recognition to the necessity of regulation mechanisms, such as ethics as a consequence of the social nature and mutual dependencies of human beings on one another. To provide new views on self-control mechanisms in different countries and the use and nature of concrete ethical imperatives.
Lecture: Ethics and the responsibility of journalism - the theory We explore the origins and the use of the words "ethics" and "moral" and the history of philosophy examining "ethics". We follow the history of ethical imperatives and self- control mechanisms in the context of historical events worldwide. Examples of professional codes of different media organizations and ways of problem solution in case of complaints will be described. We explain the nature of the codes on these examples.
Seminar: Group discussion on the terms "true information", "inappropriated presentati on of violence and brutality", "private attitudes concerning public interest", "dubious m ethods of journalistic work," etc.
Week 16 Objective To improve the understanding of the status and the framework for ethical behavior of journalists in Mongolia. To develop skills to recognize ethical errors and determine the violation of actual codes. To create awareness on the challenges of qualitative journalism in Mongolia and the possibilities of own contribution.
Lecture: The ethical standards of practical journalism in Mongolia. The code of conduct for Mongolian journalists. We give examples on common ethical errors in the Mongolian media. The lecture looks at the research results on the state of professional ethics in Mongolia. We follow the ethical principles of Mongolian journalists point by point and compare the use of terms and explanations with the experiences of other countries. The lecture determines the framework necessary for improving the professional standards of journalism - journalistic education, professional organizations, the mechanism of implementation and control, media monitors, etc.
Homework: Investigate and prepare examples of ethical errors in Mongolian media.
Seminar: Presentation and discussion on examples of ethical errors in Mongolian newspapers: - What is wrong in the article? How should it be changed? Which code does it violate? How to improve it? - What could be/should be done in order to prevent these mistakes?
IV Assessment The accomplishment of students will be assessed in the course of the seminars and through a test in the middle of the course. Each student collects points according to the following criteria: - participation in discussions; - contribution to discussions through presentations; - test results. The highest amount of points is 80, out of which 40 points can be collected through the test results, 25 through the presentation and the discussions, and 15 through active participation in the seminar discussions. Each student can collect up to 5 points during each seminar, which is based on active participation.
V. Reading list Week 1: Communication, evolution of communication process, types of communication 1. John R. Bittner, Mass communication, an introduction. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey 1986, p. 1 - 9 (translated for students into Mongolian in excerpts) 2. Roland Burkart, Kommunikationswissenschaft. Grundlagen und Problemfelder. Boelau Verlag, Weimar, 1995; p. 20 - 35 (translated for students into Mongolian in excerpts) Week 2: Mass communication, parameters of mass communication 1. Roland Burkart, Kommunikationswissenschaft. Grundlagen und Problemfelder. Boelau Verlag, Weimar, 1995; p. 160 - 170 (translated for students into Mongolian in excerpts) 2. B.Bold-Erdene: Niigem, uls tour, hevlel medeelel. Ulaanbaatar 1999 (Mongolia) p. 12 - 19
Week 3: The role and functions of mass communication in the society 1. M.Zulikafili, Ch. Choisamba: Chuluut hevlel: uchigdur, unuudur, margaash. Ulaanbaatar2001 p. 64 - 77 2. M.Zulikafili, Setguul zuin onolyn undes. Terguun devter. Ulaanbaatar 1999. p.76-116
Week 4: Introduction to the history of mass communication. 1. John R. Bittner, Mass communication, an introduction. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey 1986, p. 15-21 (translated for students into Mongolian in excerpts) 2. M.Zulikafili, Setguul zuin onolyn undes. Terguun devter. Ulaanbaatar 1999. (Mongolian) p.76-116
Weeks 5-9: The development of mass media in the USA, Canada, Mexica, Western and Eastern Europe, India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East and Africa 1. Gross, Lynne S. The international world of electronic media. McGraw-Hill, 1995 p. 29 -50, 55-77, 195-202, 225-231, 255-347 2. John C. Merrill, Global journalism. A survey of the World's Mass Media. Longman. New York & London 1995 p.105 -116
Week 10: Globalization and mass media 1. Gross, Lynne S. The international world of electronic media. McGraw-Hill, 1995 p.1-17 2. M. Enkhchimeg. Globalchlalyg hyazgaarlahgui bol hun turulhtnii olonh ni yaduurna. Unuudur. 2002. 10. 16, 5 nuur 3. L.Dashnyam. Globalchlal bidnii urlug eh bish. Unuudur. 2002. 10. 16, 5 nuur
Week 11: The development of Mongolian mass media until 1990: social, cultural, political and economic aspects 1. L.Norovsuren, Mongolyn setguul zuin tuuhen toim, terguun boti, Ulaanbaatar 2000. Chapters 2, 3
Week 12: The development of Mongolian mass media in the past decade. The current structure of the Mongolian media system 1. M.Zulikafili: Uurchlult shinechlel, hevlel medeelliin heregsel. Ulaanbaatar 1994 p.12 - 29 2. Mongolyn hevlel medeellin monitoring. Ulaanbaatar 2002, p. 3. L. Norovsuren, Mongolyn setguul zuin tuuhen toim, ded boti. Ulaanbaatar 2001
Week 13: The legal framework for the development of media. Government and the media. Media freedom in Mongolia 2. Globe International. Uzel bodloo chuluutei ilerhiileh erh chuluu. Ulaanbaatar 2001. p. 85, 91-96, 98-100, 115-117 3. M.Zulikafili, Ch. Choisamba: Chuluut hevlel: uchigdur, unuudur, margaash. Ulaanbaatar2001 p. 26-53 Week 14: The role of journalists. The image, credibility, and power of journalists. Internal democracy in the Mongolian media.
Week 15: Ethics and the responsibility of journalism - the theory 1. Fernando Savater. Ethik fuer Erwachsene von morgen. Bundeszentrale fuer politische bildung. Campus Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 1996. 2. Erh Chuluu tuv. Chuluut hevlel uuriigoo umguuluhui. Ulaanbaatar 2002 on, p. 32-55
Week 16: Ethical standards of the practical journalism in Mongolia. The code of conduct for Mongolian journalists. 1 Globe International. Uzel bodloo chuluutei ilerhiileh erh chuluu. Ulaanbaatar 2001. p.143-145
VI. Teaching Methodology
The course will consist of lectures and seminars. The first part of the course (taking up the first semester, from September - December) is dedicated to the development of a basic knowledge which should build the fundament for the next part. Basic terms, theories and background information are elaborated during this time. Each lecture is followed by a seminar, the aim of which is to encourage creative thinking and active participation, to consolidate and improve the acquired knowledge and to develop the skills of students to make use of the theoretical knowledge for independent assessments, and for a comparative analysis of facts and information. In the seminars students work in teams to elaborate the respective subjects and present papers (i.e. homework in connection with certain issues from the lecture before), to learn to brainstorm and draw conclusions. In the middle of the semester students write a test to assess their own achievements so far.. The second part of the course, which will take up the second semester (March - May) will be dedicated to the issues of broadcast media in Mongolia. Particular emphasis will be given to the prospect of public service broadcasting and the current and alternative media policy in Mongolia.
VII. Number of participating students The full course was offered at the School for Broadcast Journalism. A total of 29 students from the 3rd semester attended the course. These students will also participate in the second part of the course in March - May. Furthermore, the course was partly offered at the Press Institute of Mongolia for the students of the Diploma course. A total of 22 students attended the lectures, the contents of which were the same as at the School for Broadcast Journalism but presented in a brief version.
VIII Your additional critical remarks about the course Limited readings and handouts on the subject (in Mongolian) have constrained the independent work of students. The translation of materials into Mongolian required considerable time since the wording and the use of professional terms had to be checked and edited by the trainer. Furthermore, the general knowledge of students left much to be desired, and it required a lot of additional time to carry out general introductions.