BJ1S53 - Journalism Law, Ethics and Regulation 20 May 2019 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BJ1S53
Module Title: Journalism Law, Ethics and Regulation
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Craig Hooper
Module Team: Delme Parfitt, Gwyneth Moore
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake: 2024
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100442 - journalism
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 20 May 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

To develop a firm understanding of the basics of Journalism-related law, regulation and ethics so as to be able to operate safely and with confidence; and to be able to discuss, critique and work with the emerging challenges in this area. Students will be able to respond to scenarios by integrating knowledge of law, ethics and regulation, and speculate about outcomes in emerging and unresolved areas. The module will contribute to preparation for practical work on later projects and/or for critical reflection on practice.

Content Summary

Law: principles of and practice in court reporting, contempt, reporting restrictions in courts, defamation, privacy and confidentiality; balancing human rights, freedom of expression and the public interest.

Ethics: sources of personal and professional ethics; issues of objectivity, taste and decency; and relations with sources including subterfuge, entrapment, confidentiality and intrusion.

Regulation: self and statutory regulation in print and broadcast including the Press Complaints Commission, Ofcom, BBC editorial guidelines, the NUJ and other regulatory guidelines.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Tutorial 1
External visits 6
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 72
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 1
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Explain how to apply UK law and media regulations as they affect journalism when reporting.
LO2 Discuss ethical debates within the industry.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Examination Written Examination - Closed Book (Unseen) 1 Closed-book exam 120 N/A 50 No 40
Portfolio Portfolio 1 Portfolio of three original court stories 0 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Written Examination - Closed Book (Unseen) 1
Portfolio 1

Reading List

Reading Lists will be updated annually

Frost, C (2015) Journalism ethics and regulation, Longman

Harcup, T. (2015) Journalism: Principles and Practice. London: Sage.

Dodd, M. and Hanna, M. (2019) McNae's Essential Law for Journalists. Oxford: OUP latest edition

www.journalism.co.uk

www.media.guardian.co.uk

www.ofcom.org.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines/

www.ipso.co.uk

www.channel4.com/corporate/4producers/resources/documents/ComplianceManual.pdf

www.presswise.org

www.nuj.org.uk; www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/editorialguidelines; www.ofcom.org.uk.

British Journalism Review