Module Descriptors
LAW FOR JOURNALISTS 2
JOUR40249
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 4
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Paul Gubbins
Email: P.P.Gubbins@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 33
Independent Study Hours: 117
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • CLASS-TEST weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Resources
Internet
Newspapers/magazines
NCTJ materials
Regulatory guidelines e.g. PCC, Ofcom, Attendance in court.

Module Learning Strategies
A weekly two hour lecture
A weekly one hour seminar plus court visits
Module Indicative Content
This module provides journalism students with the information and skills to enable them to attend a variety of court hearings and report on those proceedings accurately, fairly and within the restrictions of the law. It is designed to make them aware of the restrictions placed on journalists and the need to balance freedom of speech with the right to a fair trial. However, students will also learn about their own journalistic rights and gain the knowledge needed to challenge unfair restrictions on those rights. Theory will be related to current news events and stories and students will also be expected to attend a local court hearing in order to see the law in action.
Module Additional Assessment Details
2 two hour class test in Law
Module Texts
McNae's Essential Law for Journalists (2003, 17th edition) Butterworths
T. Crone (2002) Law & The Media, Focal Press
C. Frost (2000) Media Ethics & Self-Regulation, Logan
Rudin, R., and Ibbotson, T., An introduction to Journalism - essential techniques and the background knowledge, Focal Press 2002
K. Sanders, Ethics & Journalism, Sage, 2003