COM3707
EXAM PACK
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MODULE +27 67 171 1739
,UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
MAY / JUNE 2024
Examination session: Semester 1/2024
COM3707
Media ethics
OR
Political and government communication
100 marks
Duration: 2 hours
This paper consists of 6 pages.
Instructions:
• Invigilator App QR Code: See next page (failure to use the App will result in NO MARK & a
violation of exam rules & disciplinary action). App instructions placed on myUnisa module site &
page 2 below.
• Choose ONE section and answer 3 questions. You ONLY answer Media Ethics OR Political and
Government Communication questions.
• Please number all your questions and answer pages.
• Exam format: Take-Home timed assesment.
• Please remember to submit/tick the university declaration/honor pledge with your
examination (follow the system rules here).
• Please remember to save your completed examination paper in PDF format only. Other
formats will not be accepted. One file upload only.
• Submission of examination paper: please view the instructions placed on the Module site,
submit via MyExams Moodle site: https://myexams.unisa.ac.za (for the App upload- follow the
system prompts).
• For scanned examination papers: please follow the instruction file placed in the myUnisa
module site exam folder. Please ensure it is legible and clear. Only one single file upload is
allowed. What is submitted is/will be marked.
• No emailed examination papers will be accepted.
• Please preview your file to ensure you have submitted the correct file (content), for the correct
module (see exam rules on Module site).
• Plagiarism is an academic offence – all university policies apply accordingly.
Please use the allocated 30 minutes grace time for exam paper submission.
[TURN OVER]
, 2 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2024
COM3707
Date: 22 May 2024
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DAY OF ASSESSMENT:
Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the Invigilator
YOUR EXAM QR CODE & EXAM
App and scan this QR code. ACCESS 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.
If you finish your assessment before the app timer has run out you need to
press the ‘Finish Assessment’ button and follow instructions before you exit
or minimise the app.
Scan the QR code at the start time of the assessment, unless otherwise
specified by your institution, note that you can only scan this QR code once.
The QR code is only scannable for a limited time
Exam Access Code: 3805c89f
and it should therefore be scanned as soon as
possible after the assessment commencement
time.
Keep the Invigilator App open on your smartphone for the full duration of the
assessment. You are not allowed to minimise or leave the app during your
assessment.
You must adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution. The timer displayed in the Invigilator
may vary depending on the start time of invigilation.
FURTHER GUIDANCE
If you only have one device you may access your assessment in the application by pressing the ‘Access Browser’ button in the
top right corner of your app.
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 photo request, which you
should then perform as soon as possible.
We recommend that you keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
Ensure you are connected to the internet when commencing invigilation. You also need to be connected to the internet at the
end of the assessment in order to upload the app data.
If your assessment has multiple online sections, tests or attempts, you should NOT finish the invigilation until your entire
assessment has been completed.
Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on +27 (0)73 505 8273
, 3 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2024
SECTION 1: MEDIA ETHICS
YOU HAVE TO SELECT AND ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS.
QUESTION 1
"In every society, there are basic standards or expectations of what constitutes acceptable
behaviour or proper conduct.” (Oosthuizen 2014: 10).
1.1 Considering the above statement, describe, in detail in your own words, what media
ethics is about. (5)
1.2 Explain the difference between meta-ethics and normative ethics and give two
examples of each type of ethics. (10)
1.3 Discuss what professional media ethics is concerned with and give three reasons why
self-regulation takes place by the media. (18⅓)
[33⅓]
QUESTION 2
2.1 Discuss any three meta-ethical theories and give their core principles. (18)
2.2 Discuss the impact that the above meta ethical theories can have on journalists‘
conduct. Illustrate your discussion with examples from the media. (15⅓)
[33⅓]
QUESTION 3
3.1 Discuss the most important characteristics of the social responsibility theory, the
libertarian theory, and one other normative media theory. (18)
3.2 Discuss McQuail’s reassessment of the media theories and his three public
communication values in a democracy. (15⅓)
[33⅓]
QUESTION 4
“If ethics relates to self-imposed duty, the law requires that certain rules and regulations must
be followed” (De Beer & Froneman 1994:13).
Taking above statement into account, discuss the impact of legislation on normative media
ethics. Answer this question by using examples from the South African press and offering
arguments against the regulation of professional ethics.
[33⅓]
EXAM PACK
FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MODULE +27 67 171 1739
,UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
MAY / JUNE 2024
Examination session: Semester 1/2024
COM3707
Media ethics
OR
Political and government communication
100 marks
Duration: 2 hours
This paper consists of 6 pages.
Instructions:
• Invigilator App QR Code: See next page (failure to use the App will result in NO MARK & a
violation of exam rules & disciplinary action). App instructions placed on myUnisa module site &
page 2 below.
• Choose ONE section and answer 3 questions. You ONLY answer Media Ethics OR Political and
Government Communication questions.
• Please number all your questions and answer pages.
• Exam format: Take-Home timed assesment.
• Please remember to submit/tick the university declaration/honor pledge with your
examination (follow the system rules here).
• Please remember to save your completed examination paper in PDF format only. Other
formats will not be accepted. One file upload only.
• Submission of examination paper: please view the instructions placed on the Module site,
submit via MyExams Moodle site: https://myexams.unisa.ac.za (for the App upload- follow the
system prompts).
• For scanned examination papers: please follow the instruction file placed in the myUnisa
module site exam folder. Please ensure it is legible and clear. Only one single file upload is
allowed. What is submitted is/will be marked.
• No emailed examination papers will be accepted.
• Please preview your file to ensure you have submitted the correct file (content), for the correct
module (see exam rules on Module site).
• Plagiarism is an academic offence – all university policies apply accordingly.
Please use the allocated 30 minutes grace time for exam paper submission.
[TURN OVER]
, 2 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2024
COM3707
Date: 22 May 2024
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DAY OF ASSESSMENT:
Ensure you are connected to the internet in order to log into the Invigilator
YOUR EXAM QR CODE & EXAM
App and scan this QR code. ACCESS 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.
If you finish your assessment before the app timer has run out you need to
press the ‘Finish Assessment’ button and follow instructions before you exit
or minimise the app.
Scan the QR code at the start time of the assessment, unless otherwise
specified by your institution, note that you can only scan this QR code once.
The QR code is only scannable for a limited time
Exam Access Code: 3805c89f
and it should therefore be scanned as soon as
possible after the assessment commencement
time.
Keep the Invigilator App open on your smartphone for the full duration of the
assessment. You are not allowed to minimise or leave the app during your
assessment.
You must adhere to the assessment time limit communicated to you by your institution. The timer displayed in the Invigilator
may vary depending on the start time of invigilation.
FURTHER GUIDANCE
If you only have one device you may access your assessment in the application by pressing the ‘Access Browser’ button in the
top right corner of your app.
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 photo request, which you
should then perform as soon as possible.
We recommend that you keep your smartphone on charge for the duration of the assessment.
Ensure you are connected to the internet when commencing invigilation. You also need to be connected to the internet at the
end of the assessment in order to upload the app data.
If your assessment has multiple online sections, tests or attempts, you should NOT finish the invigilation until your entire
assessment has been completed.
Should you encounter any technical difficulty, please WhatsApp The Invigilator Helpdesk on +27 (0)73 505 8273
, 3 COM3707
MAY/JUNE 2024
SECTION 1: MEDIA ETHICS
YOU HAVE TO SELECT AND ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS.
QUESTION 1
"In every society, there are basic standards or expectations of what constitutes acceptable
behaviour or proper conduct.” (Oosthuizen 2014: 10).
1.1 Considering the above statement, describe, in detail in your own words, what media
ethics is about. (5)
1.2 Explain the difference between meta-ethics and normative ethics and give two
examples of each type of ethics. (10)
1.3 Discuss what professional media ethics is concerned with and give three reasons why
self-regulation takes place by the media. (18⅓)
[33⅓]
QUESTION 2
2.1 Discuss any three meta-ethical theories and give their core principles. (18)
2.2 Discuss the impact that the above meta ethical theories can have on journalists‘
conduct. Illustrate your discussion with examples from the media. (15⅓)
[33⅓]
QUESTION 3
3.1 Discuss the most important characteristics of the social responsibility theory, the
libertarian theory, and one other normative media theory. (18)
3.2 Discuss McQuail’s reassessment of the media theories and his three public
communication values in a democracy. (15⅓)
[33⅓]
QUESTION 4
“If ethics relates to self-imposed duty, the law requires that certain rules and regulations must
be followed” (De Beer & Froneman 1994:13).
Taking above statement into account, discuss the impact of legislation on normative media
ethics. Answer this question by using examples from the South African press and offering
arguments against the regulation of professional ethics.
[33⅓]
