Course Resources Archive

This module will introduce students to media law and how it applies to journalists and those working in the media industries. Students will explore how and why the law restricts what the media can report and be given an introduction on how to use the law in practice.

Legal concepts including defamation, contempt of court, copyright and freedom of information; human rights, privacy and breach of confidence; civil and criminal structures and processes; general aspects of media law as it applies to journalists and media producers.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1.    Understand the general structures and processes of the legal system and how it affects  the way the media communicates in society

2.    Understand the main statutes that affect the media industries across communication platforms such as online, TV, Radio and in print

3.    Understand specific legal restrictions when covering court cases

4.    Have the ability to analyse and apply the most appropriate legal concepts to particular media problems

5.    Identify sources for research and establish a strategy for research using standard research tools.

6.    Analyse how the theory of law works in practice across a range of media platforms

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.