LiDA100: Learning in a Digital Age

Tasks

1. Choose a topical news item from the last 6 months in your country that was widely reported across different. Select a report of the issue from each of the following:
   • Broadcast television news
   • Radio news
   • Hard copy newspaper
   • Online news report
   • A few social media references (e.g. blog posts, Tweets, Facebook posts)
2. When selecting your news item check to see if the broadcaster keeps on-demand recordings of the reports.
3. Compare and contrast the reports from the different sources.
   • Does the reporting angle differ? Why?
   • Do the same issues re-occur consistently across the reports? Why?
4. Read laterally
   • Who owns and controls the media source?
   • Can you determine the circulation / market penetration of the publisher?
   • Investigate the digital footprint of the reporter / author
   • Who is the target audience of the publisher?
   • Review public comments of online sources if enabled on the respective site.
5. Investigate social media coverage of the news item – note trends and themes.

Outputs

Prepare a blog post (about 500 to 600 words) documenting your findings.

1. List your sources, and hyperlink where possible.
2. Report on similarities and differences in the news coverage from different media.
3. How has the medium or publisher influenced the message (if at all) – justify your observations.
4. What role, if any, has social media had on the stories.
5. Prepare a concluding paragraph summarising your findings.
6. Remember to tag or label your post using the course code: lida104
7. We encourage learners to post comments on a few of your fellow learner’s posts.