COM3705
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
DUE: 27 AUGUST 2025 (MEMO)
,COM3705
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
DUE 27 AUGUST 2025
COM3705 Semester 2 Assignment 1 (Media coverage of war)
In preparation for this assignment, please read Unit 2, Unit 4 & Unit 5, and the following
article:
Pavlik, JV. The Russian war in Ukraine and the implications for the news media. Athens
Journal for Mass Media and Communication, 8:1-17. (PLEASE NOTE: Even though this
article relates to the Russian war in Ukraine, the general content relates to the overall
topic of the assignment).
Tofa, M, Kifle, AA & Kinkoh, H. 2022. Political and Media Analysis on the Tigray Conflict
in Ethiopia. European Institute of Peace. Brussels: EIP.
Your other main sources for this assignment will be prescribed readings (listed below)
that are available on your myUnisa site. You are, however, also allowed to utilise any
other additional ACADEMIC material.
Assignment Brief
When war reporting emerged as a specialisation from 1885 onwards, the expectations
of journalists were quite simple. Journalists were expected to write reports as narratives
of adventure without too much political comment or moralising. A century and a half on,
the issue of the relationship between journalists, media and war has come to the fore
again, but this time the expectations of journalists are far less clear-cut.
, The role of the media in armed conflicts and war has become even more important,
reflecting changes in both media technologies and global audiences. Changes in media
technologies include, amongst others, the rise of social media networks, citizen
journalism, and user-generated content.
Since the end of the Cold War, the world has seen several armed conflicts, ethnic
cleansing, and genocides. International media and international journalists, including
war correspondence, have been key players in the public communication process about
the narration of the war and its understanding by the public.
Framing theory is not necessarily a new theory in the media. However, it is only in
recent years that it has become paramount in analysing media contents. Framing theory
is particularly well-suited for studying propaganda and war coverage. Framing can be
qualitative, quantitative and connotative. Moreover, framing can be used for
prescriptive, descriptive and comparative analysis (Berenger, 2004:3).
The purpose of this assignment is for you to analyse the reporting or coverage of the
Tigray conflict in Ethiopia (2020-2022). Your discussion should be structured
accordingly and cover the following topics:
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
DUE: 27 AUGUST 2025 (MEMO)
,COM3705
ASSIGNMENT 1 2025
DUE 27 AUGUST 2025
COM3705 Semester 2 Assignment 1 (Media coverage of war)
In preparation for this assignment, please read Unit 2, Unit 4 & Unit 5, and the following
article:
Pavlik, JV. The Russian war in Ukraine and the implications for the news media. Athens
Journal for Mass Media and Communication, 8:1-17. (PLEASE NOTE: Even though this
article relates to the Russian war in Ukraine, the general content relates to the overall
topic of the assignment).
Tofa, M, Kifle, AA & Kinkoh, H. 2022. Political and Media Analysis on the Tigray Conflict
in Ethiopia. European Institute of Peace. Brussels: EIP.
Your other main sources for this assignment will be prescribed readings (listed below)
that are available on your myUnisa site. You are, however, also allowed to utilise any
other additional ACADEMIC material.
Assignment Brief
When war reporting emerged as a specialisation from 1885 onwards, the expectations
of journalists were quite simple. Journalists were expected to write reports as narratives
of adventure without too much political comment or moralising. A century and a half on,
the issue of the relationship between journalists, media and war has come to the fore
again, but this time the expectations of journalists are far less clear-cut.
, The role of the media in armed conflicts and war has become even more important,
reflecting changes in both media technologies and global audiences. Changes in media
technologies include, amongst others, the rise of social media networks, citizen
journalism, and user-generated content.
Since the end of the Cold War, the world has seen several armed conflicts, ethnic
cleansing, and genocides. International media and international journalists, including
war correspondence, have been key players in the public communication process about
the narration of the war and its understanding by the public.
Framing theory is not necessarily a new theory in the media. However, it is only in
recent years that it has become paramount in analysing media contents. Framing theory
is particularly well-suited for studying propaganda and war coverage. Framing can be
qualitative, quantitative and connotative. Moreover, framing can be used for
prescriptive, descriptive and comparative analysis (Berenger, 2004:3).
The purpose of this assignment is for you to analyse the reporting or coverage of the
Tigray conflict in Ethiopia (2020-2022). Your discussion should be structured
accordingly and cover the following topics:
