How do ethical regulations and legal provisions compel professional communicators to consider the public interest?
Advice and Guidance
You should refer to at least one case study in your answer and refer to topics covered up to the due date of this assignment, without needing to mention topic material that does not relate to your study.
The idea is to select the material that relates to your chosen case study/studies, and not to refer to all topics for no benefit to your analysis.
Please answer the question without the use of long, generalised and/or unsupported comment at the introduction. This is NOT demonstrating scholarly research. Avoid statements such as “The media faces many challenges in today’s modern world.” Be precise and specific.
Professional communication principles apply, i.e. get to the point as concisely and clearly as possible. The reader should be clear about the point before they reach the end of the first page.
This will be easier if you a) keep up with the Topic content and readings, and b) start the assignment early, recognising that it does require research of scholarly and media material.
Be careful not to use unacknowledged material from a previous assignment in this unit, or from the internet, as this will be detected (even if words are changed) by Turnitin and/or manual checking of references by marker(s). We are obligated by policy to report any suspected plagiarism and/or collusion.
Please avoid leaving either assignment until the last minute. If you have doubts about your ability to devote the required time to the 50% assignments, and the reading/topic study required for their successful completion, it is advisable to consider deferring enrolment in the unit.
On Content and Format
Word count does not include reference list or in text references
It is essential that you follow the Harvard Referencing Guide (available via Deakin Sync/Study or the Finding Academic and Scholarly Sources module in the Assessments folder in “Resources”
Format – at least 12pt font, 1.5 or double line spacing, page numbers
Uploaded file must be in either MS Word or PDF, to enable Turnitin to read it. Other file types will not be marked. Until the correct file is
available for marking and Turnitin checking, late penalties have to be applied until the correct file is submitted.
English as Additional Language students can obtain assignment advice and support from the Language and Learning Advisors at DSA
Refer to readings supplied in E Readings and also conduct your own research to support your argument
On Approach
You can select your own case study, relevant to your area of communication practice (i.e. journalism, PR, advertising)
Previous students have written about, for e.g.–
o the right to a fair trial and journalism relating to a crime reporting case study or studies (1-2),
o ethical regulations and truth in advertising,
o PR ethics and public interest – whether the law helps or is PR unregulatable?
o A country case study (e.g. India, Philippines) and how the media was supported or constrained by the law and/or local ethical code of practice (for students who are based outside of Australia and wish to focus on their own legal context, you should refer to international ethical provisions as well as those in your country).
You can either agree or disagree with the question, but support your position with your selected example (s) and secondary material (readings). Random Google search findings are ok for the early part of your research but should develop from there, into selecting material that complements your clear use of UNIT READINGS
Wikipedia is not a scholarly research source. It does provide leads to such sources at the Reference List on most entries.
There is no set number of references required and no need to list items that you haven’t referred to in your essay.
If you are confused by the assignment question, please ask for clarification early so that the best support/advice can be provided for you.
