Journalism, Innovation & Datafication

News media are currently undergoing profound transformations. The impact of digital technology (social media platforms, artificial intelligence, mobile communication) and data shape the current news ecosystem and force news media to adapt to phenomena like algorithmic recommendation systems, metrics, and automated content creation. The course first looks into the nature of (big) data before analyzing key issues such as the interplay between platforms, algorithms and news media. It then focuses on news media innovation, with a special attention to data-driven technologies and their potential for media companies. The course will discuss both design thinking and research in order to understand users' needs, and we will also use the lean startup method to identify problems users need to solve. Overall, the course offers knowledge and insights on the strategic intersection of journalism, media and technology by taking an in-depth look at innovation processes. 

The goal of the module is to advance the students’ understanding of how the news media are affected by datafication, and how they try to adapt to the transformations through innovation.

At the end of the course, students are able to:

• understand the nature of (big) data,
• describe how technology and, in particular, algorithms affect the production, distribution, and consumption of news,
• discuss and define innovation in media and journalism,
• analyze and evaluate case studies and recent examples of innovation failures and successes,
• understand the relevance of strategy for successful media management in the digital age.

In presenza

The course adopts a mix of ex-cathedra teaching, groupwork, interactive sessions, and student presentations.

Students’ class attendance is not mandatory, even if strongly encouraged. Teachers will not provide alternative teaching materials for non-attending students.

• The students will have to carry out an in-class presentation in the last session(s) of the course in which they transform ideas into new/improved products, services, or processes, in order to advance, compete and differentiate themselves successfully in their marketplace. In other words: they need to develop a specific innovation through the use of creative skills that allow a problem or need to be identified and to be solved through a solution that results in the introduction of something new that adds value to customers and to the media organization. The project does not have to be implemented, but the feasibility of the project will have to be demonstrated.
• There will be a final oral exam on the different topics of the course. The date of the exam is to be determined and will be communicated by the Deanery.
• The final mark for the course will be determined by the in-class presentation (30%) as well as the final oral exam (70%).
• Both the presentation and the exam will be held in English.