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BCJ316

Public Affairs Broadcasting

This course explores the meaning of public affairs broadcasting and its place in national development. It emphasizes the role of radio and television stations in operating in the public interest, responding to community needs and problems. The course highlights how broadcast industries perform public enlightenment through public affairs programs, analyzing issues of public interest in Nigeria. It instills excellence in students, focusing on quality program production rather than commercial-oriented content.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
45 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, practical, case study
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

BCJ316 · UNIT 1: Public Affairs Broadcasting Defined

Impartiality here is clearly related to independence, this means that the bulk of the programmes should be such that would inform and educate the people and not such that promotes government interests.

What you should be able to do

  1. Define public affairs broadcasting and its importance.
  2. Identify the characteristics of a public affairs broadcaster.
  3. Describe the various formats for producing public affairs programs.
  4. Explain the role of public service announcements in public affairs broadcasting.
  5. Understand the structure of news and current affairs divisions in public affairs stations.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Broadcast Journalist
  • Public Affairs Officer
  • Media Consultant
  • Program Producer
  • News Analyst
Where it is applied
  • Media
  • Broadcasting
  • Public Relations
  • Government
  • Non-profit Organizations

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Concept of Public Affairs Broadcasting

    Unit 5: Challenges of Public Affairs Broadcasting in Nigeria

    Understanding the strategic use of silence in communication and its impact on information dissemination requires critical analysis.

  • Module 4: Structure of News and Current Affairs Division of a Public Affairs Station

    Unit 1: Interview As A Public Affairs Programme Format

    Requires understanding of legal and ethical considerations in reporting sensitive information.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 27 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Concept of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 1: Public Affairs Broadcasting Defined · 2 hours

      Define public affairs broadcasting and differentiate it from commercial broadcasting.. Discuss the importance of public affairs broadcasting in national development.. Identify the characteristics of public affairs broadcasting..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Concept of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 2: Nature and Characteristics of Public Affairs Broadcasting · 2 hours

      Describe the nature and characteristics of public affairs broadcasting.. Analyze how these characteristics contribute to its effectiveness..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Concept of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 3: Functions of Public Affairs Broadcasting · 2 hours

      Examine the various functions of public affairs broadcasting in society.. Discuss how these functions contribute to public knowledge and awareness..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Concept of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 4: PAB versus Commercial Broadcasting · 2 hours

      Compare and contrast public affairs broadcasting with commercial broadcasting.. Analyze the differences in their objectives, funding, and programming..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Concept of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 5: Challenges of Public Affairs Broadcasting in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Identify the challenges facing public affairs broadcasting in Nigeria.. Discuss potential solutions to these challenges..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Who is a Public Affairs Broadcaster?
    • Unit 1: Characteristics of a Public Affairs Broadcaster · 2 hours

      Define the role of a public affairs broadcaster.. Identify the key characteristics and skills required for this role..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Programming as a Part of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 1: Formats for Producing Public Affairs Programmes · 2 hours

      Define programming in the context of public affairs broadcasting.. Discuss the importance of understanding the broadcast audience..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Programming as a Part of Public Affairs Broadcasting
    • Unit 1: Formats for Producing Public Affairs Programmes · 2 hours

      Explain the components of public affairs program planning and implementation.. Discuss the role of research in program development..

    • Unit 2: Public Service Announcements (PSAs) · 1 hour

      Define Public Service Announcements (PSAs) and their role in public affairs broadcasting..

  9. Week 9Module 4: Structure of News and Current Affairs Division of a Public Affairs Station
    • Unit 1: Interview As A Public Affairs Programme Format · 2 hours

      Describe the interview format as a public affairs program.. Explain the key elements of interview planning and execution..

  10. Week 10Module 4: Structure of News and Current Affairs Division of a Public Affairs Station
    • Unit 2: Discussion Programme As A Public Affairs Programme · 2 hours

      Describe the discussion program format as a public affairs program.. Explain the key elements of discussion program planning and execution..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Structure of News and Current Affairs Division of a Public Affairs Station
    • Unit 3: Debate As A Public Affairs Programme Format · 2 hours

      Describe the debate program format as a public affairs program.. Explain the key elements of debate program planning and execution..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Structure of News and Current Affairs Division of a Public Affairs Station
    • Unit 4: The Magazine As A Public Affairs Programme Format · 2 hours

      Describe the magazine program format as a public affairs program.. Explain the key elements of magazine program planning and execution..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Structure of News and Current Affairs Division of a Public Affairs Station
    • Unit 5: The Documentary As A Public Affairs Programme Format · 2 hours

      Describe the documentary program format as a public affairs program.. Explain the key elements of documentary program planning and execution..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Create concept maps linking Module 1 concepts of PAB to Module 3 programming formats.
  • Analyze case studies of successful public affairs programs, focusing on their format and impact.
  • Practice writing PSA scripts for different social issues, ensuring clear messaging and call to action.
  • Review the characteristics of a public affairs broadcaster (Module 2) and how they apply in real-world scenarios.
  • Familiarize yourself with the structure of news and current affairs divisions (Module 6) and their functions.
  • Study the challenges of public affairs broadcasting in Nigeria (Module 1) and potential solutions.

Questions students ask about this course

What is BCJ316 about?

This course explores the meaning of public affairs broadcasting and its place in national development. It emphasizes the role of radio and television stations in operating in the public interest, responding to community needs and problems. The course highlights how broadcast industries perform public enlightenment through public affairs programs, analyzing issues of public interest in Nigeria. It instills excellence in students, focusing on quality program production rather than commercial-oriented content.

How many units does BCJ316 have?

BCJ316, Public Affairs Broadcasting, has 11 units across 6 modules, over 82 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is BCJ316?

BCJ316 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.

Is BCJ316 hard?

BCJ316 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does BCJ316 take to study?

About 45 hours of study, spread across its 11 units.

How is BCJ316 assessed?

BCJ316 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with BCJ316?

Broadcast Journalist, Public Affairs Officer, Media Consultant, Program Producer and News Analyst.

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