This module prepares students to pass the National Council for the Training of Journalists' exam Essential Media Law and Regulation. It provides a comprehensive and practical understanding of key concepts for professional journalists including: press freedom; defamation – components and defences; privacy; copyright; breach of confidence; regulation and self-regulation of media; contempt of court.
Total contact hours: 42
Total private study hours: 108
Total module study hours: 150
Compulsory to the Year in Journalism
Main assessment methods
Coursework – 2 x narrative Moodle quizzes (45 minutes each) – and 50% each
Reassessment methods
Like for like
Hanna M and Dodds M, McNae's Essential Law for Journalists (25th edn, OUP 2020)
Quinn, F. (2018), Law for Journalists, 6th ed, Pearson
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the key legal principles relevant to the production of multimedia journalism in England and Wales.
2. Identify key reference literature and sources used in newsrooms and be able to apply them to common news situations.
3. Critically examine how media law in England and Wales upholds the right to privacy and protects from reputational damage.
4. Critically examine how media law in England and Wales upholds the right to a fair trial and the protections offered to victims and witnesses of crime.
5. Articulate how copyright law applies in the production of multimedia journalism.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Deal with complex issues logically and thoughtfully, make sound judgements and communicate conclusions clearly.
2. Use independent learning techniques to continue their professional development.
3. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving legal and ethical issues faced by media professionals.
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