Media Law

This course takes the form of 12 lessons which incorporate reading, writing and revision assignments designed to consolidate your knowledge of the subjects covered.

The course is structured to take account of the difficulties students most frequently encounter in understanding media law and the suggested method of study is based on techniques previous students have found most productive.

The textbook for the course is an invaluable reference book which has become a legal bible for journalists across the country - McNae's Essential Law for Journalists, edited by Tom Welsh and Walter Greenwood.  Published by Butterworths, this definitive guide to media law is currently in the 20th edition, issued in August 2009 and fully updated to take account of changes in the law.

McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists can be purchased from most good bookshops or from Amazon.co.uk . Students who are taking the course by email, or are based overseas, should purchase their own copy – those UK students who enrol for a postal course will be supplied with a copy, the cost of which is included within the course fee.

Course content focuses on the law as it applies in England and Wales.  The law in Northern Ireland is broadly similar, although students are referred to chapter of 35 of Essential Law, which outlines the main differences.  Scotland has its own legal system and any journalists intending to work in Scotland will be required to study Scots law in detail.

Course Syllabus

The course ends in an 'open-book' exam which accounts for 50% of your final grade.  Your assignments, submitted during your course, account for the other 50%.

Lesson 1:  Journalists and the Law Defamation and Contempt  New media risks

Lesson 2:  Rightsand Restrictions What is a free press?

Lesson 3:  Crime and the Courts Introduction Reporting crime stories Crimes Reporting the Courts Preliminary hearings Magistrates' Court Act 1980 Crown Court Trials 1 Derogatory assertions Challenging a Lesson 58 Order Crown Court Trials 22 Crown Court - case study Reporting the Courts The Civil Courts Divorce and Bankruptcy

Lesson 4:  Children and Juveniles Juveniles and the Courts Lesson 39 challenges Youth Court challenges Anti-Social Behaviour Orders Children and Family Courts Youth Justice dilemmas Legal developments

Lesson 5:  Sex Offences Anonymity for sex assault victims Anonymity for defendants Two-stage protection for victims When reporting restrictions can be lifted When reporting restrictions do not apply Code of Practice on sex offences

Lesson 6:  Inquests and Tribunals Inquests Tribunals and inquiries

Lesson 7:  Contempt of Court The right to a fair trial Contempt of Court Act 1981 Breaking crime stories Court stories During the trial Jury members Tape recorders Photographs Common law contempt Challenging the courts Theory and practice Weighing the risks Contempt dilemmas Contempt v. defamation

Lesson 8:  Defamation The Defamation Act 1996 What is defamatory? Who can sue? What a claimant must prove Defamation risks Avoiding the risks Libel defences Protection before publication Criminal libel Blasphemy Sedition and Obscenity Slander Malicious falsehood Slander of goods Rehabilitation of Offenders Act Defamation dilemmas

Lesson 9:  Copyright Copyright Defences Maps, drawings and pictures Trademarks Global brands

Lesson 10:  Human Rights Act Human Rights Act 1998 Defending your rights Breach of confidence Public interest defence Protecting your sources The Official Secrets Act Information from government Race relations Election law

Lesson 11:  Codes of Conduct and Privacy Codes of conduct PCC adjudications Witness payments Broadcasting regulator Privacy Data Protection Act 1998

Lesson 12:  Questions and Revision Notes Law updates Exam preparation

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