ZKS01 Principles of Crisis Coverage for Journalists

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
12/15/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Lucie Čejková (seminar tutor)
Vojtěch Dvořák, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Zuzana Masopustová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
doc. MgA. Jan Motal, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Matěj Richtr (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Rudolf Burgr, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Ing. Rudolf Burgr, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
Experience in editorial process, field work, adequate experience or education in the field (at least BA) is expected.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
Course objectives
The course will focus on the issue of covering crisis situations, with an emphasis on the work of journalists with vulnerable groups of people (homeless people, refugees, children, victims of crime/disasters...), evaluating information in crises (with an emphasis on understanding the negative role of speculation and misinformation) and dealing with experts (what to ask from people in the expert field, how to deal with them, how to work with the information provided). The lecture series presents the theoretical basis of the issue with examples from practice. Participants will learn about the current rules of work, ethical standards, principles and the most important concepts from the field of journalism, media studies, sociology or psychology to understand the issue of crisis situations.
Learning outcomes
Graduates will know the basic ethical and legal standards and procedures for reporting on crises and working with vulnerable people, be able to recognize appropriate ways of dealing with vulnerable people, and understand the meaning of reporting and media credibility with respect to the negative role of misinformation. They will understand basic terms and concepts in the field and be able to seek further information.
Syllabus
  • 1. Human Dignity, Refugeeism (online)
  • 2. Disinformation (online)
  • 3. Vulnerable groups, homelessness (online)
  • 4. Crisis and crisis events (hybrid)
  • 5. Specific situations (hybrid)
  • 6. Vulnerable - psychol (hybrid)
Teaching methods
Lectures - webinars or hybrid teaching (for those interested, the possibility of personal participation in part of the lectures), self-study based on study materials, discussions during classes, online tests.
Assessment methods
Active participation in discussions (one non-participation in an online lecture is tolerated), completion of continuous online tests and preparation of a seminar paper of 6-10 standard pages on a selected ethical problem (case study).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught each semester.
The course is taught in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2026/ZKS01