1,500 word essay that demonstrates theoretical understanding of a current ethical or legal issue and how it affects broadcasters in practice. [50%; Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3]

Students must also produce a radio or TV feature, no longer than 10 minutes, which examines a current issue affecting ethical and/or legal matters in journalism. Students will also be required to deliver a presentation in class, also no longer than 10 minutes which outlines their rationale for choosing that subject and explains what they have learnt in the process and how they will use this learning in the broadcast newsroom. They must hand in an electronic version of the feature and hard copy of their slides. (50% overall; the feature will carry 75% and the critical reflection, presentation will be 25%, Learning Outcomes 1, 2, & 3]

Key Information Set Data:
75% coursework
25% practical exams [skills assessment and presentations]

This module is designed for broadcast journalist to enable them to develop an understanding of how the law, broadcasting regulations, codes of conduct and ethical issues all have an impact on the decisions journalists make on a day to day basis. Students will look in depth at the role of Ofcom, the pressures facing the BBC, the future of public service broadcasting in general and the advance of digital, satellite and pay per view broadcasting. They will consider the impact this is likely to have on news and current affairs programmes, and consider what practical and ethical issues this is likely to have on broadcast journalists. They will also look at current legal issues, particularly contempt of court, defamation and privacy, and analyse the way changing trends in the law affect broadcast output.

A series of weekly lectures and seminars,
Developing research skills and independent learning in preparation for essay and presentation assignments

Key Information Set Data:
16% scheduled learning and teaching activities
84% guided independent learning

It is essential that you watch, listen to and watch radio and TV news on a regular basis and be aware of developments taking place in the broadcasting industry.
The Media Guardian (Monday) contains articles about broadcasting industry issues.
UK Press Gazette - weekly industry journal which covers broadcasting as well as print journalism.
The Daily Telegraph - has the fullest versions of national court stories
The Times Law Reports - important legal cases, including libels
Internet - www.news.bbc.co.uk/news
www.ofcom.org.uk
www.guardian.co.uk/media

Arlidge, Eady and Smith on Contempt, Sweet and Maxwell, 2nd edn,1999.
Crone, T., Law and the Media, 4th edition, Focal Press, 2002.
Frost, C., Journalism Ethics and Regulation, Longman 2007
Greenwood, W., Welsh, T., McNae's Essential Law for Journalists, Butterworths, 19th edition, 2007. Note: Do not use an earlier edition. Essential purchase.
Harcup, Tony, Journalism, Principles and Practice, Sage 2004
Harcup, T., The Ethical Journalist, Sage 2006
Hudson, G. & Rowlands, S., The Broadcast Journalism Handbook, Longman 2007
Quinn, F., Law for Journalists, Longman 2007
Sanders, K., Ethics and Journalism, Sage 2003
Tumber, Howard and Palmer, Jerry, Media at War, The Iraq Crisis, Sage 2004
White, Ted, Broadcast News: Writing, Reporting and Producing, Focal Pres, 3rd edition, 2002.