AREA OF STUDY 3
Australian media organisations
In this area of study students analyse Australian media organisations within a social, industrial and
global framework.
Media products are produced for audiences within a cultural, aesthetic, legal, political, economic,
institutional and historical framework. Students learn that their production, distribution and circulation
are affected by laws, self-regulatory codes of conduct, industry pressures, the practices of particular
media organisations and global trends. They also learn that other factors, for example, sources of
revenue, ratings, circulation and distribution, and ownership and control, influence the nature and
range of texts produced by media organisations.
Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe characteristics of Australian media
organisations and discuss the social, cultural and industrial framework within which such organisations
operate.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of
Study 3.
Key knowledge
• the nature of the production and distribution processes of Australian media organisations
• the significance of factors such as ownership, finance and control on the operation of Australian
media organisations
• characteristics of Australian audiences and the texts they consume
• the relationship between Australian media organisations and the global media market
• the impact of historical, cultural, legal, political and economic factors, and institutional practices
on the Australian media
• methods for researching, analysing and presenting information to support informed discussions.
Key skills
• describe features of Australian media organisations
• compare the nature and operation of Australian media organisations
• discuss the relationships between media audiences, Australian media organisations and texts
• discuss the impact of factors such as funding and management of Australian media organisations,
and the impact of the global media market on the nature and range of texts they produce.
Australian media organisations
In this area of study students analyse Australian media organisations within a social, industrial and
global framework.
Media products are produced for audiences within a cultural, aesthetic, legal, political, economic,
institutional and historical framework. Students learn that their production, distribution and circulation
are affected by laws, self-regulatory codes of conduct, industry pressures, the practices of particular
media organisations and global trends. They also learn that other factors, for example, sources of
revenue, ratings, circulation and distribution, and ownership and control, influence the nature and
range of texts produced by media organisations.
Outcome 3
On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe characteristics of Australian media
organisations and discuss the social, cultural and industrial framework within which such organisations
operate.
To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of
Study 3.
Key knowledge
• the nature of the production and distribution processes of Australian media organisations
• the significance of factors such as ownership, finance and control on the operation of Australian
media organisations
• characteristics of Australian audiences and the texts they consume
• the relationship between Australian media organisations and the global media market
• the impact of historical, cultural, legal, political and economic factors, and institutional practices
on the Australian media
• methods for researching, analysing and presenting information to support informed discussions.
Key skills
• describe features of Australian media organisations
• compare the nature and operation of Australian media organisations
• discuss the relationships between media audiences, Australian media organisations and texts
• discuss the impact of factors such as funding and management of Australian media organisations,
and the impact of the global media market on the nature and range of texts they produce.