LT237-5-AU-CO:
Advanced Media Law and Ethics
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Inactive
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
19 July 2022
Requisites for this module
LT133
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
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 the NCTJ examinations in Essential Media Law and Regulation (EMLR), Court Reporting (MLCR) and Broadcast Regulation (BReg).
You will also expand your exploration of the wider constraints affecting journalism, voluntary and otherwise. These include the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, the Editors' Code of Practice and other expressions of responsible, ethical practice.
This module aims to build and consolidate your knowledge of the legal system to the point at which you are able to successfully sit the NCTJ Essential Media Law, Court Reporting and Broadcast Regulation national 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 or other challenges, both in a legal context and beyond.
At the end of the module, you will have:
1. a good working knowledge of the law, the structure of the legal system and the way courts work;
2. taken the NCTJ exams in EMLR, MLCR and BReg;
3. 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.
As with your first-year Media Law studies, the syllabus is based on the key text in this area:
M Hanna & M Dodd, McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists (25th edn, OUP 2020)
The subjects covered include: contempt; anonymity (on grounds of ethics, age, sexual offences or jigsaw identification among others); accuracy; defamation; copyright; confidentiality; disclosure of sources; privacy; other ethical and regulatory considerations; filming in public places; status, responsibilities, powers of media regulatory bodies, all forms of reporting restrictions, codes of practice and broadcasting codes.
Anticipated teaching delivery: Weekly 2 hour seminar
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
At the end of this module, you will be equipped to sit the NCTJ Essential Media Law, Court Reporting as well as Broadcast Regulation national exams. If you fail this module, you will be required to re-sit the tests until you have achieved a pass mark.
Note: The EMLR exam is 150 minutes long, with candidates requiring a grade between A and C (more than 50%) to achieve a pass. The MLCR exam is 90 minutes long, requiring a grade between A and C (more than 50%) to achieve a pass. The BReg exam is taken as part of the TV Journalism module of the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. It is 60 minutes long and candidates must achieve a minimum of 50 marks in this exam to be awarded a grade A-C overall. If a candidate does not achieve 50% or more in the BReg exam, the overall grade for the TV journalism module will be capped at a D grade.
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
Dr Alexandros Antoniou, email: a.antoniou@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Elena Sherstoboreva
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 52 hours, 38 (73.1%) hours available to students:
14 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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