This course explores both the practical and theoretical dimensions of journalism in order to provide a perspective for public relations practice. It will start with a discussion of news patterns and major problems in local journalism. The course will then introduce various perspectives in understanding the journalistic practice in Hong Kong and elsewhere. Journalism will be presented as both a social process and a profession. Students may expect to learn the intellectual foundations of both the professional duty of a journalist and the role of journalism in society and in turn understand how public relations should practice in accordance to the role of a journalist so as to gain publicity through journalistic coverage.