Miguel Afonso Caetano<p>Why do the business and political elites hate Media and Communication Studies? Because there are no other subjects as these that can help students detect bullshit wherever it exists. People who study these subjects have their lies detector greatly improved. That's why I'm immensely proud of being a PhD in Communication Sciences. <a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/NoBullshit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NoBullshit</span></a> <a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/NoLies" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NoLies</span></a> <a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/NoPropaganda" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>NoPropaganda</span></a> </p><p><a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/MediaStudies" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MediaStudies</span></a> <a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/CommunicationSciences" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CommunicationSciences</span></a> <a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/MediaLiteracy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>MediaLiteracy</span></a> <a href="https://tldr.nettime.org/tags/UK" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>UK</span></a>: "-Media and communications studies, often derided as “soft”, “low-value” or “Mickey Mouse” subjects, are in fact popular, dynamic and have “profound impact”, according to a report.</p><p>The British Academy study says that rather than being “low value”, such courses play a vital role in the UK’s £108bn creative industries and have become increasingly relevant in a world grappling with new technologies, artificial intelligence and the dangers of disinformation.</p><p>Over the years, the media studies degree has been described variously as “little more than a state-funded, three-year equivalent of pub chat”, “puffed-up nonsense masquerading as academic discipline” and “an instant turn-off to employers”.</p><p>However, the report published on Tuesday highlights “groundbreaking” research that has emerged from these study areas, including research looking into music’s influence on maternal mental health, and the development of an evidence-based framework on children’s rights and digital technologies in collaboration with Unicef.</p><p>The report suggests that interest in media and communications at degree level has held up despite the flak the subjects have attracted. The number of undergraduates on media, screen, journalism and communication courses dipped 2% overall between 2019 and 2021, after 7% growth in the preceding six years."</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/article/2024/jun/11/media-studies-popular-dynamic-profound-impact-report" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">theguardian.com/education/arti</span><span class="invisible">cle/2024/jun/11/media-studies-popular-dynamic-profound-impact-report</span></a></p>