MECM10006 Communication for Changemaking
Due: Tuesday, 19 August, 9:00am | Word limit: 500 words | Weight: 15% | submitted via Canvas LMS
Task Summary: The Media Analysis assignment comprises two brief analytical paragraphs of max. 250 words each (250 words +/-10% each) in which you critically engage with the latest news. In total, the assignment comprises 500 words.
Please note that the deadline for this assignment is 9am on Tuesday, 19 August, not midnight!
Guide for Media Analysis
For each paragraph you will:
Locate and read three hard news articles (print or online): one from a mainstream/Indigenous Australian publication, one from a foreign publication, one from either – you choose. You must at least read one article from an Indigenous Australian publication.
They must be different publications. You must not use the same publication twice.
Your final submission will prove that you read six news articles, from six different publications: two Australian publications (mainstream and Indigenous), two foreign publications, and two more.
All articles should be in English.
Type: Only compare hard news stories. Do not mix in op-eds, profiles or other types of text that are more subjective and opinionated by nature. This assignment is about analysing how information is presented in factual stories.
Topic: The three articles that you compare for one analysis must be on the same issue. Do not compare, for example, “Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony director Kentaro Kobayashi fired for past comments on the Holocaust” with “On eve of Opening Ceremonies, Simone Biles looks ready and U.S. softball beats Canada” and “Army to Oust Lieutenant for Making Holocaust Jokes on TikTok”.
For example, you can compare:
Simes, J. (2024, July 16) Canadian government apologises for treatment of Dakota and Lakota nations. National Indigenous Times. Canadian government apologises for treatment of Dak... | NIT
Canada Apologizes to Dakota-Lakota Nations for Injustice. (2024, July 16). Mirage News. https://www.miragenews.com/canada-apologizes-to-dakota-lakota-nations-for-1275782/
Apology “a significant step” says Wahpeton Dakota Nation Chief, but only if accompanied by action. (2024, July 16). Prince Albert Daily Herald. https://paherald.sk.ca/apology-a-significant-step-says-wahpeton-dakota-nation-chief-but-only-if-accompanied-by-action/
Currency: All articles must have been published between 28 July 2025 and 17 August 2025. The three articles you compare in one analysis should be from the same day (see example above). Otherwise, it is no surprise if they contain different information.
Writing: Begin by summarising the information contained in the articles in 2-3 sentences.
Then analyse and compare the information provided and think CRITICALLY!
Some points you may want to consider:
Is the information presented in the article biased? Is the author excluding relevant information or placing particular emphasis on some information? What information is only marginally addressed?
Who owns the publication? Do these owners have their own (e.g. political) agenda and does this affect the content?
Whose voices are included/excluded? Look at the people involved in the article, the writer, the researcher, the people funding the research - are they influencing how the data is being presented?
What are the values and beliefs of these people?
Think for yourself. Add your own questions.
MUST: Support your opinion with thoughtful reasoning and explanations.
Word length & Formatting
Please ensure you submit all two paragraphs in one Word document – doc or docx only. Top tip: Use the Template provided in Support.
Your file name should include your name.
Ensure your work is 1.5 or double-spaced.
Keep copies of ALL your assignments on your computer / backed up online.
Your analyses should each be 250 words +/-10%. The headlines and references will not be part of your word count. Please indicate the word count at the end of each analysis.
You do not need to include a copy of the articles.
Referencing
As mentioned in the lecture and the subject guide, you must always cite your sources. The Library provides useful resources for helping you manage your citations and references. This rule applies to all assignments.
Please provide a reference section after each reflection for the three articles you compared. You may use any reference style. you like (e.g. APA, MLA, Harvard etc.). Just be consistent and please indicate the reference style. you chose, e.g. References (APA7).
These references do not count towards your overall word count.