LT237-5-AU-CO:
Advanced Media Law & Ethics
2016/17
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
15
-
Requisites for this module
LT133
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA P500 Multimedia Journalism,
BA P501 Multimedia Journalism (Including Year Abroad),
BA P503 Multimedia Journalism (Including Placement Year)
In this module, you will complete your studies - begun in Year 1 - of the principal areas of the law relating to journalism, and prepare for and sit the NCTJ examinations in Media Law and Court Reporting. You will also expand your exploration of the wider constraints affecting journalism, voluntary and otherwise. These include media regulation, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, the Editors' Code of Practice and other expressions of good, ethical practice.
Aims
The module aims to build and consolidate your knowledge of the legal system to the point at which you are able to sit successfully the NCTJ Essential Media Law and Court Reporting exams. It also builds your knowledge of responsible and ethical behaviour, such that you are capable of making good editorial decisions when faced with legal, moral and other challenges, both in a legal context and beyond.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, you will:
1. have good working knowledge of the law, the structure of the legal system, and the way courts work
2. have taken the NCTJ exams in Essential Media Law and Court Reporting
3. have furthered your practical experience through continued visits to courts and inquests, after which you will have compiled reports - either within the class or as part of your work experience programme.
Syllabus
As with your first year Media Law studies, the syllabus is based on the key text in this area, Mike Dodd and Mark Hanna, McNae's Essential Law for Journalists, 22nd edition, OUP (2014).
The subjects include: contempt, anonymity (on the grounds of ethics, age, sexual offences or jigsaw identifications among others); accuracy; defamation; copyright; confidentiality; disclosure of sources; privacy; other ethical and regulatory considerations; filming in public places; status, responsibilities and powers of media regulatory bodies; all forms of reporting restrictions, codes of practice and broadcasting codes.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
The module will be taught by course tutors supported by an external trainer with specialist knowledge in the field.
There will be weekly two-hour classes.
In addition, you will gain practical experience from visits to courts and inquests to observe and report on proceedings.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
50% |
| Written Exam |
Class Test 1 |
|
25% |
| Written Exam |
Class Test 2 |
|
25% |
Additional coursework information
Your coursework consists of three in-class tests (equally weighted), contributing 75% of your module mark, and a court report and reflective commentary, weighted at 25%. If you fail this module, you will be required to re-sit the tests until you have achieved a pass mark.
A court report will be submitted for formative feedback during the module. This early piece of work will inform subsequent court reporting and should be submitted, with a reflective commentary, as part of the portfolio assessment.
At the end of the module, you will sit the NCTJ Essential Media Law and Court Reporting exams. The Essential Law exam is 150 minutes long, with candidates needing a grade between A and C - more than 50% - to achieve a pass; the Media Law Court Reporting exam is 90 minutes long, needing a grade between A and C - more than 50% - to achieve a pass.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Professor Jonathan Baker, Paul Anderson, Sean McTernan
LiFTS General Office - email liftstt@essex.ac.uk
Telephone 01206 872626
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 20 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
20 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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