Media Law and Ethics

Theory - Portfolio not required.

This module builds on the Level 4 module, Introduction to Journalism, in which students receive a brief introduction to some of the key issues of media law and journalistic ethics. It sets out help students deepen their understanding of the English legal system and how the legal environment affects the rights, duties and practices of journalists and media workers in general. The module explores key concepts (defamation, copyright, obscenity, privacy, breach of confidence, court reporting, contempt of court) and looks more generally at restrictions placed on freedom of expression by the law. Students look at the different ethical codes and regulatory structures that apply to journalists and media workers in the post-Leveson landscape and are encouraged to critique legal and extra-legal controls on journalism and freedom of expression, with particular reference to the Human Rights Act and the impact of decisions from the European Courts. Whilst the focus of the module is on the UK, students are also encouraged to look at the international context and will have the opportunity to do a comparative analysis of legal systems and regimes where appropriate.

Assessment: Portfolio (50%), Examination - open book (50%)