One examination with a weighting of 25%.

One examination with a weighting of 75%. The examinations will involve all the learning outcomes mentioned. The second examination comprises short, essay-style answers based on questions derived from recent NCTJ examination practice and acts as preparation for students who will also take the external NCTJ law exam. [Learning Outcomes 1-7]

Content introduces students to core principles of media law in the first semester, building on on topics in the second semester to enhance and expand knowledge. Particular attention is paid to examination questions and to learning the definitions, relevant cases and appropriate acts of parliament required to pass not only the internal, module-specific examination but also the external, industry-standard NCTJ examination in essential media law. Legal and ethical issues featuring in the news will also be included where appropriate to underpin teaching and learning.

Course book
Module notes (Blackboard)
Extra reading (Blackboard)
Specimen examination papers and revision tips (Blackboard)

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

1. SHOW SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND ITS IMPACT ON MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS. [Knowledge and Understanding]

2. APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING NOT ONLY TO PRODUCING LEGALLY SAFE JOURNALISTIC OUTPUT BUT ALSO TO MEETING THE STANDARDS OF THE NCTJ EXAMINATION IN ESSENTIAL MEDIA LAW.
[Learning]

3. USE APPROPRIATE SOURCES OF INFORMATION TO SEEK SOLUTIONS TO LEGAL PROBLEMS ARISING IN NEWS OR FEATURE WRITING AND ALSO BE ABLE TO SEEK SOLUTIONS FROM THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE LEARNED (IN OTHER WORDS TO ENQUIRE WITHIN YOUR OWN MIND RATHER THAN RELYING ON EXTERNAL SOURCES).
[Enquiry]

4. DEMONSTRATE YOUR AWARENESS OF ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN YOUR JOURNALISTIC WRITING AND REFLECT ON THEIR IMPACT WITHOUT RECOURSE TO EXTERNAL SOURCES.
[Reflection]

5. SHOW ABILITY TO ANALYSE LEGAL ISSUES AFFECTING YOUR WRITING AND TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE SOLUTIONS WITHOUT RECOURSE TO EXTERNAL SOURCES.
[Analysis]

6. WRITE CLEARLY AND LUCIDLY IN RESPONSE TO LEGAL ISSUES, TO ARTICULATE REASONS FOR ADOPTING A PARTICULAR OUTCOME, AND TO APPLY THIS REASONING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE EXTERNAL, INDUSTRY-STANDARD NCTJ EXAMINATION IN ESSENTIAL MEDIA LAW.
[Communication]

7. APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING TO PRODUCING A SUITABLE OUTCOME TO A GIVEN LEGAL PROBLEM WITHOUT RECOURSE TO EXTERNAL SOURCES.
[Problem Solving]

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