COM1513 Assignment 3 (Portfolio) Semester 1 Memo | Due 26 May 2025

COM1513 Assignment 3 (Portfolio) Semester 1 Memo | Due 26 May 2025. All questions fully answered. ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS. QUESTION 1 Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow. 1.1 Using the SABC case study and the accompanying news articles provided, identify and explain at least three (3) different communicative situations that occurred during the events described. For each of the three (3) situations, do the following: • Name the communicative situation. (3) • Describe the context in which each communicative situation occurred (include details such as the communicators involved, the situation in terms of time and space, and the directionality and degree of interaction of the communication). (12) • Explain the communicative situation’s role or motivation behind the communication at the SABC. (6) 1.2 Using your understanding of the transactional model of communication, explain how communication between different role players at the SABC (e.g. management, employees, In 2020, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa's public broadcaster, announced plans to restructure and retrench approximately 400 employees. This decision triggered a national outcry, internal protests and public debates about the role, responsibilities and leadership practices of the broadcaster. Many employees opposed the retrenchments, arguing that the decision-making process lacked transparency and adequate consultation. The crisis highlighted deep tensions between SABC leadership and staff and raised concerns about the erosion of the organisation's public service mandate in favour of corporate priorities. ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS. QUESTION 1 Read the case study below and answer the questions that follow. 1.1 Using the SABC case study and the accompanying news articles provided, identify and explain at least three (3) different communicative situations that occurred during the events described. For each of the three (3) situations, do the following: • Name the communicative situation. (3) • Describe the context in which each communicative situation occurred (include details such as the communicators involved, the situation in terms of time and space, and the directionality and degree of interaction of the communication). (12) • Explain the communicative situation’s role or motivation behind the communication at the SABC. (6) 1.2 Using your understanding of the transactional model of communication, explain how communication between different role players at the SABC (e.g. management, employees, In 2020, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), South Africa's public broadcaster, announced plans to restructure and retrench approximately 400 employees. This decision triggered a national outcry, internal protests and public debates about the role, responsibilities and leadership practices of the broadcaster. Many employees opposed the retrenchments, arguing that the decision-making process lacked transparency and adequate consultation. The crisis highlighted deep tensions between SABC leadership and staff and raised concerns about the erosion of the organisation's public service mandate in favour of corporate priorities. unions and the public) during the restructuring crisis reflects this model. In your answer, do the following: • Briefly describe the key features of the transactional model (e.g. sender-receiver roles, feedback, noise, context). (5) • Identify at least two (2) examples from the SABC case study that demonstrate how this model applies. For each example identify the participants and messages that are sent, received and interpreted in the two-way process of transactional communication. (4) [30] AND QUESTION 2 Read the case study again and refer and answer the questions that follow: 2.1 Identify the type of organisation the SABC represents. Briefly explain your answer. (2) 2.2 List and describe any four (4) key stakeholders in such an enterprise/organisation. (8) 2.3 Propose an alternative type of business that you believe would better serve the public interest, deliver results and support economic growth. Explain (10) [20] AND QUESTION 3 Using the SABC case study as a contextual reference, distinguish between Afrocentric and Asiacentric communication theories. When answering this question, remember that public speeches, protest songs and oral testimony by workers reflect an Afrocentric tradition that values communal expression and oral communication, whereas a leadership style that seeks harmony and avoids direct confrontation could have led to more mediated hierarchical communication, such as quiet negotiations, reflects an Asiacentric tradition. In your answer, do the following: 3.1 Describe the key principles and approaches of each theory. (12) 3.2 Discuss how each theory might interpret or guide communication practices in the SABC restructuring scenario. (6) 3.3 Provide two (2) practical examples from the case study that align with the values or assumptions of each theory. (2) [20] AND QUESTION 4 Read the case study and articles provided in question 1 again and then answer the questions that follow. This case study provides an opportunity to apply the critical perspective in organisational communication, focusing on power dynamics, inequality, control, resistance and the role of ideology in shaping organisational practices. 4. Using the critical perspective of organisational communication, write an essay in which you do the following: 4.1 Identify and explain how communication reflects power dynamics and resistance in the organisation. (10) 4.2 Analyse the ideological implications of the SABC’s restructuring. (6) 4.3 Support your arguments with at least four (4) examples from the case study and the readings provided. (4) [20] TECHNICAL PRESENTATION [10] TOTAL [100]