Internet
Newspapers/magazines
NCTJ materials
Regulatory guidelines e.g. IPSO, Ofcom

Blackboard VLE is available to support this module. Blackboard includes course handbook, programme of learning, course notes, on-line tests, and information about mandatory and supplementary reading.

The module provides students with an overview of legal and ethical issues. Current issues pertaining to media law are discussed as they arise. The module looks at the law from the perspective of the journalist and provides students with the knowledge to help protect them from legal action over published or broadcast items. Students are introduced to contempt of court, defamation, including defences, reporting of young people, and handling confidential and copyright material. They are also introduced to wider ethical issues such as freedom of speech, protection of sources and to the increasingly significant area of privacy. The module also provides information about the regulatory bodies responsible for providing print and broadcast journalists with a professional code of conduct.

Dodd, M. and Hanna, M. (2016) McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists. Oxford University Press, 23rd edition. Note: do not use an earlier edition.
Quinn, F. (2015) Law for Journalists, fifth edition, Pearson Longman
Thom, C (2016) Online Law for Journalists. First Edition. Clean Copy Publishing.
Benz, J., Mago, E. and Timmerman, J. (2014): Legal Guide to Broadcast Law and Regulation. London: National Association of Broadcasters, 6th edition.
McBride, K. and Rosenstiel T eds. (2014) The New Ethics of Journalism. Sage.
Smartt, U. (2014) Media and Entertainment Law. Second Edition. Routledge.

An OPEN-BOOK EXAMINATION to be completed on-line weighted at 70% (comprising essay-type questions based on industry-standard test-papers) (LO's 1-4)

IN-COURSE ON-LINE tests comprising multiple-choice questions based on module elements (e.g. contempt, defamation) weighted at 30% (LO's 1-4)

UPDATE HOURS ONLY