Psychological and Pedagogical Conditions of Professional Responsibility of an International Journalist in Non-Proliferation of Fake News

Abstract

Introduction.Against the background of the mass media crisis and despite the need to increase the responsibility of international journalists in non-proliferation of “fake news”, there are no studies that regulate effective pedagogical conditions for increasing the reporters’ honesty and integrity. The purpose of the article is to present results of a study carried out at the international journalism faculty of Moscow State Institute of International Relations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia between 2014-2018, including dedicated psychological and pedagogical conditions involving key approaches and effective technological support and diagnostic tools to measure levels of professional responsibili ty of international journalists. Materials and Methods. The empirical base of the study comprised a multiyear observation and questionnaires for 2nd-4th-year students of the MGIMO international journalism faculty, as well as re-analysis and substantive interpretation of matters of improving quality of professional journalism. Results. The study presents the analysis of problems of increasing professional responsibility of international journalists under conditions of commercialization of information field and mass media and effective psychological and pedagogical conditions required to improve quality of their professional training. A series of criteria and indicators related to the concept of the professional responsibility of the international journalist (civil position, moral standing and professional persistence) were defined. Discussion and Conclusion. Specially created psychological and pedagogical conditions of education can satisfy the state order, employers and students of the journalism area, building highly professional competences of international journalist. Mechanisms and step-by-step implementation of the model may be replicated in the broad higher school practice, increasing the level of professional responsibility of international journalists. The results obtained are of interest to the administrative staff of higher educational institutions, heads of departments that continuously monitor quality of journalistic education, as well as scientists and university professors engaged in improving the quality of education of media professionals. Prospective studies of the determinants of better quality of journalist education must be focused on deepening professional competencies of graduates to ensure the creation of adequate conditions for national and foreign political elite activity.