LFU:online

The lecture series discusses current and practical developments as well as theoretical approaches. The lecture aims at a broad, interdisciplinary, and critical discussion of current questions of media competition.

By the emergence of digital information and communication technologies new and multiple possibilities of mass distribution of verbal, textual and/or visual messages have developed.

Recipients are required to choose among various sources of information (e.g. blogs, twitter, and established news media) and a huge amount of different portrayals, statements, and information. This can be viewed as a conflict between opportunity and overload.

News providers themselves are very aware and make use of the possibility to immediately reach large audiences by only “one click”. Social media platforms allow for all sorts of campaigns, and never before have that many groups and movements been able to publicly convey such diverse ideas and opinions.

Beside the role of authenticity and new dimensions such as „infotainment” and „edutainment”, known questions ought to be asked about the limits of this plurality of opinion, about reliable sources, criteria in quality journalism, and the credibility of media in general.

Which authorities can be trusted and why? Which competences are required to help evaluate, assess and deal with the provided information? And what role does criticism play in this context?

Lecturers from various scientific backgrounds will discuss aspects of the topic. The “Medientag” (22^nd of Nov. 2016) is also part of the course.

Written Exam 

The syllabus and a list of references will be available for download on medien@uibk.ac.at

medien@uibk.ac.at
Ulrike.Pfeiffenberger@uibk.ac.at