This course introduces students to the various forms of national news media systems that have developed at different times and in different locations round the world to enable them to compare and re-assess their own news media. Theories and concepts developed to explain and categorise why news media systems have developed differently will be analysed and studied in the context of comparison of case studies. The course also introduces students to the international news system, and to its connections with national matters and to its changes due to the appearance of the internet in the last 20 years. The meanings and implications of the concept of press freedom will be discussed. There will be an emphasis on the news media systems of East and Southeast Asia.