JOU7043 - Law, Ethics and Regulation

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the English legal system, its structure, processes and principles.
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the issues around ethical practice and the regulatory framework in which the UK news media works.
Operate as a journalist within the requirements of the law and regulatory systems
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of case law, appeal court judgements and other authorities in defining the application of the law relevant to the news media.
Demonstrate proficiency in the structuring and presentation of articulate and coherent analyses of a range of legally problematic reporting situations

Content:

The structure, workings and inter-relationships of Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, the Court of Appeal the High Court, the Supreme Court, the European Court of Justice. The role of case law, appeal court judgements and the Law Lords in articulating and refining legal concepts; the principles of English Law;
news media relevant law such as defamation, contempt of court, reporting restrictions, electoral law, copyright, absolute and qualified privilege, freedom of information, the Official Secrets Act and other relevant legislation.
All relevant regulatory codes and issues of ethical standards in the performance of journalism.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via a series of interactive lectures

Lectures
Group size: Cohort

Court visits
Group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Further details relating to assessment
Students must pass both the law exam and the ethics essay in order to pass this module

Assessment:

001 Law Tutorials reflective report 500 words Block 1 10%
002 Unseen paper (NCTL essential media law exam) 50%
003 Essay 1 x 3000 words Block 3 40%


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