Core Values of Journalism among Students in Bangladesh, Norway and Tunisia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate differences and similarities in transnational journalism values through the eyes of undergraduate journalism students in three countries-Norway, Tunisia and Bangladesh. This study is important as "Globalization processes force us not only to focus more on transnational phenomena in general, but also highlight differences" (Carlsson 2014:8) Our research question is: Could news journalism in three countries in separate parts of the world have common core values? In our quantitative survey 439 students answered 25 questions on journalism practices, ethics and values, roles and functions. We found that all the students put high value on informing and checking facts. Most of them think that there exist global values of ethics. When it comes to journalism relating to power, the Norwegian students prefer a critical position. Most of the Tunisian and Bangladeshi students, on the other hand, regard that journalism should be neutral to power.