COM3707
EXAM PACK
,UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
MAY/JUNE 2022
COM3707
Media Ethics
OR
Political and Government Communication
100 Marks
Duration 2 Hours
This paper consists of 5 pages.
Instructions:
This examination question paper consists of two sections. You have to select your section and answer
the questions in that section as required.
Make sure that you fill in your student number and the code of the paper (COM3707) on your
submission.
Remember to attach the Department’s Declaration to avoid penalisation.
After answering this examination paper you must follow the instructions as provided in the exam
summary document.
Additional student instructions:
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be password
protected or uploaded as “read only” files).
2. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
3. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that the correct
answer script file has been uploaded.
4. Students are permitted to resubmit their answer scripts should their initial submission be unsatisfactory.
5. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
6. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examinations platforms (including the
invigilator cellphone application) will not be marked and no opportunity will be granted for resubmission.
7. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
8. Mark awarded for illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
9. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
10. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to disciplinary
processes. UNISA has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of academic dishonesty.
11. Students are provided one hour to submit their answer scripts after the official examination time.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected by the examination regulations and
will not be marked.
12. Students experiencing network or load shedding challenges are advised to apply together with
supporting evidence for an Aegrotat within 3 days of the examination session.
Students experiencing technical challenges, contact the SCSC 080 000 1870 or email
or refer to Get-Help for the list of additional contact numbers. Only
communication received from your myLife account will be considered.
[TURN OVER]
, 2 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2022
COM3707
Date: 26 May 2022
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DAY OF ASSESSMENT:
Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the
Invigilator App and scan this QR code.
If you encounter difficulty in scanning the QR code, you can
alternatively enter the Exam Access Code below the QR code
to start the invigilation.
Unless otherwise specified by your institution, note that you can
only scan this QR code once. If your assessment has multiple
online sections, tests or attempts, you should NOT finish the
invigilation until your entire assessment has been completed.
Only scan the QR code when the assessment formally commences.
The QR code is only scannable for a limited time and it
should therefore be scanned as soon as possible to
start the invigilation.
Once the QR code is scanned, ensure your media volume Is turned up and place your smartphone next to you.
The Invigilator App will notify you with a notification beep when you are required to action a request, which you
should then perform.
We recommend that you keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
If you only have one device you may access your assessment in the application by pressing the ‘Access
Exam’ button in the top right corner of your app.
Keep the Invigilator App open on your cell phone for the full duration of the assessment. You
are not allowed to minimise or leave the app.
Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to commence the invigilation as well as at the end
of the assessment. No internet connection is required during the assessment.
You have to adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution as the
time displayed in the Invigilator App could differ from the time allocated to complete your assessment.
You can click the "Finish Assessment" button in the app if you finish your assessment early.
If you are performing a written or Scan-and-Upload assessment:
The Invigilator App may request you to take a picture of every page of your answer sheet at the end of the assessment.
Unless otherwise specified by your institution, this does NOT replace the normal upload of your
script to your institutions online portal
After completing invigilation and following all app instructions, you must upload your Invigilation App data. If
however there is a delay in the upload of the app data at the end of the assessment, you should prioritise
the upload of your script to your university portal and you can temporarily minimise the app to do so. Uploading of
app data is not time sensitive and you can come back and do it after you have successfully uploaded your script
to the exam portal.
Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on 073 505 8273.
[TURN OVER]
, 3 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2022
SECTION 1: MEDIA ETHICS
YOU HAVE TO SELECT AND ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS.
QUESTION 1
“Media workers must make decisions daily and sometimes find themselves in circumstances
that dictate that they go against one obligation to serve a higher purpose.” (Oosthuizen
2014:10). Discuss in detail what the above statement is concerned with, and discuss any three
theories that can be used by the media practitioners to inform their individual decision making.
(34)
AND/OR
QUESTION 2
Discuss three theories that spell out the expected function and role of the media in different
political dispensations. Also name and explain the umbrella term that we use for these kind of
theories. (33)
AND/OR
QUESTION 3
Discuss McQuail’s view that provide us with an alternative for the analysis of the normative
context of media dispensations. Refer to the three terms that he uses and also to professional
media ethics and the influence of the socio-political structure of a society. (33)
AND/OR
QUESTION 4
Discuss media ethics and legislation by referring to the impact of legislation on normative ethics,
the regulation of professional ethics, and legislation and meta-ethics. (33)
AND/OR
QUESTION 5
5.1 Discuss a model for the analysis of ethical conduct, taking into account the broader
context in which media workers function. (20)
5.2 Discuss the issue of reporting violence in the media. (13)
[TOTAL 3 X 33⅓ = 100]
[TURN OVER]
EXAM PACK
,UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
MAY/JUNE 2022
COM3707
Media Ethics
OR
Political and Government Communication
100 Marks
Duration 2 Hours
This paper consists of 5 pages.
Instructions:
This examination question paper consists of two sections. You have to select your section and answer
the questions in that section as required.
Make sure that you fill in your student number and the code of the paper (COM3707) on your
submission.
Remember to attach the Department’s Declaration to avoid penalisation.
After answering this examination paper you must follow the instructions as provided in the exam
summary document.
Additional student instructions:
1. Students must upload their answer scripts in a single PDF file (answer scripts must not be password
protected or uploaded as “read only” files).
2. NO emailed scripts will be accepted.
3. Students are advised to preview submissions (answer scripts) to ensure legibility and that the correct
answer script file has been uploaded.
4. Students are permitted to resubmit their answer scripts should their initial submission be unsatisfactory.
5. Incorrect file format and uncollated answer scripts will not be considered.
6. Incorrect answer scripts and/or submissions made on unofficial examinations platforms (including the
invigilator cellphone application) will not be marked and no opportunity will be granted for resubmission.
7. Mark awarded for incomplete submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
8. Mark awarded for illegible scanned submission will be the student’s final mark. No opportunity for
resubmission will be granted.
9. Submissions will only be accepted from registered student accounts.
10. Students suspected of dishonest conduct during the examinations will be subjected to disciplinary
processes. UNISA has a zero tolerance for plagiarism and/or any other forms of academic dishonesty.
11. Students are provided one hour to submit their answer scripts after the official examination time.
Submissions made after the official examination time will be rejected by the examination regulations and
will not be marked.
12. Students experiencing network or load shedding challenges are advised to apply together with
supporting evidence for an Aegrotat within 3 days of the examination session.
Students experiencing technical challenges, contact the SCSC 080 000 1870 or email
or refer to Get-Help for the list of additional contact numbers. Only
communication received from your myLife account will be considered.
[TURN OVER]
, 2 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2022
COM3707
Date: 26 May 2022
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DAY OF ASSESSMENT:
Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the
Invigilator App and scan this QR code.
If you encounter difficulty in scanning the QR code, you can
alternatively enter the Exam Access Code below the QR code
to start the invigilation.
Unless otherwise specified by your institution, note that you can
only scan this QR code once. If your assessment has multiple
online sections, tests or attempts, you should NOT finish the
invigilation until your entire assessment has been completed.
Only scan the QR code when the assessment formally commences.
The QR code is only scannable for a limited time and it
should therefore be scanned as soon as possible to
start the invigilation.
Once the QR code is scanned, ensure your media volume Is turned up and place your smartphone next to you.
The Invigilator App will notify you with a notification beep when you are required to action a request, which you
should then perform.
We recommend that you keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
If you only have one device you may access your assessment in the application by pressing the ‘Access
Exam’ button in the top right corner of your app.
Keep the Invigilator App open on your cell phone for the full duration of the assessment. You
are not allowed to minimise or leave the app.
Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to commence the invigilation as well as at the end
of the assessment. No internet connection is required during the assessment.
You have to adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution as the
time displayed in the Invigilator App could differ from the time allocated to complete your assessment.
You can click the "Finish Assessment" button in the app if you finish your assessment early.
If you are performing a written or Scan-and-Upload assessment:
The Invigilator App may request you to take a picture of every page of your answer sheet at the end of the assessment.
Unless otherwise specified by your institution, this does NOT replace the normal upload of your
script to your institutions online portal
After completing invigilation and following all app instructions, you must upload your Invigilation App data. If
however there is a delay in the upload of the app data at the end of the assessment, you should prioritise
the upload of your script to your university portal and you can temporarily minimise the app to do so. Uploading of
app data is not time sensitive and you can come back and do it after you have successfully uploaded your script
to the exam portal.
Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on 073 505 8273.
[TURN OVER]
, 3 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2022
SECTION 1: MEDIA ETHICS
YOU HAVE TO SELECT AND ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS.
QUESTION 1
“Media workers must make decisions daily and sometimes find themselves in circumstances
that dictate that they go against one obligation to serve a higher purpose.” (Oosthuizen
2014:10). Discuss in detail what the above statement is concerned with, and discuss any three
theories that can be used by the media practitioners to inform their individual decision making.
(34)
AND/OR
QUESTION 2
Discuss three theories that spell out the expected function and role of the media in different
political dispensations. Also name and explain the umbrella term that we use for these kind of
theories. (33)
AND/OR
QUESTION 3
Discuss McQuail’s view that provide us with an alternative for the analysis of the normative
context of media dispensations. Refer to the three terms that he uses and also to professional
media ethics and the influence of the socio-political structure of a society. (33)
AND/OR
QUESTION 4
Discuss media ethics and legislation by referring to the impact of legislation on normative ethics,
the regulation of professional ethics, and legislation and meta-ethics. (33)
AND/OR
QUESTION 5
5.1 Discuss a model for the analysis of ethical conduct, taking into account the broader
context in which media workers function. (20)
5.2 Discuss the issue of reporting violence in the media. (13)
[TOTAL 3 X 33⅓ = 100]
[TURN OVER]
