An ASSIGNMENT weighted at 30%. A CLASS TEST length 2 HOURS weighted at 70%.
CLASS TEST (Reporting the courts: impact on reporting the courts; implications of ethical issues and restrictions on reporting; preparation for NCTJ examination [learning outcomes 1, 3, 4): length 2 HOURS weighted at 70% (learning outcomes 1,2,3,4).
IN-COURSE court reporting ASSIGNMENT (production of legally safe copy based on mandatory court visit; application of the law when covering court proceedings [learning outcome 2]) weighted at 30% (learning outcomes 1,2).

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 and produce copy based on this visit.

Internet
Newspapers/magazines
NCTJ materials
Regulatory guidelines e.g. PCC, Ofcom, attendance in court.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Crone, T. (2002) Law & The Media, Focal Press.
Quinn, F. (2009) Law for Journalists, Pearson.
Rudin, R. and Ibbotson, T. (2002) An introduction to Journalism - Essential Techniques and the Background Knowledge, Focal Press.
Sanders, K. (2003) Ethics & Journalism, Sage.
Welsh, T., Greenwood, W. and Banks, D. (2009) McNae's Essential Law for Journalists (20th edition), OUP.

A weekly two hour lecture
A morning visit (three hours) in groups of up to six to a local magistrates' court plus tutorial / feedback on court copy.