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 analyses of a range of legally problematic reporting situations.

Content:

This module focuses on vital knowledge of the legal system including court reporting, regulatory codes and media law disciplines.

Students will learn key areas of media law including; defamation, contempt of court, reporting restrictions, defences, copyright, hate crime, juvenile crime and sex offences and privacy. Case studies for each discipline will be highlighted.

This module offers a sound knowledge and understanding of law and regulation (IPSO & Ofcom & IMPRESS) with particular focus on industry disciplines and best practice whilst working as a journalist.

Students will undertake a visit to court in order to produce a story for their portfolio.

The module is aligned with the curriculum for NCTJ Essential Media Law, Regulation and Court Reporting.

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module is taught via a series of interactive lectures, with a focus on theory, alongside practical debates surrounding key case studies and relevant case law. Multi-media resources are utilised throughout to enhance media law examples.

Ahead of the NCTJ exams, there are opportunities to undertake mock examinations and analyse various key media law scenarios. The module includes a court visit ahead of the final court reporting assessment, and real-life, ongoing trials are discussed.

Lectures and revision workshops
Hours: 50
Group size: Cohort + BA students

Court visits
Hours: 8
Group size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 242

Further details relating to assessment
Passing individual components and the module as a whole is a requirement of our accrediting body, the BJTC, and ensures that students are safe to practise as journalists.

The exam is set and administered by the NCTJ at first sit. Students are offered an internal exam at resit. The format of the resit exam will be open book with students able to use their own copy of McNae’s for reference.

The broadcast regulation and ethics test is a requirement from the BJTC and includes ethical scenarios to test knowledge and understanding of ethical as well as regulatory issues.

The court report may be submitted in a medium to be chosen by the student in negotiation with the tutor – for example, it may be done as a piece to camera or a written or audio report. This component tests the application of legal knowledge through practical journalistic output.

Students will undertake mock exams and formative exercises in class.

Please see the Module Handbook for full details.

All individual components and the module as a whole must be passed to meet PSRB requirements.

Assessment:

001 Broadcast regulation test; 1 hour; end of semester 1 20%
002 NCTJ EML exam; 2 hours 30 mins; end of semester 1 60%
003 Court visit; pass/fail; end of semester 2 0%
004 Court report; 250 word equiv.; end of semester 2 20%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Leigh Purves
Level - 7
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7PGYL

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