4B006E - Fair Play: Law, Ethics and Communication in Sport Media 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | 4B006E | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Fair Play: Law, Ethics and Communication in Sport Media | |||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | |||
| Faculty Group: | Film and TV | |||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Film and TV | |||
| Module Leader: | Delme Parfitt | |||
| Module Team: | Julie Kissick, James Rendell | |||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2026 | Final Year of Intake: | 2031 | |
| Date Closed: | ||||
| Credit Value: | 30 | Credit Level: | 4 | |
| Language: | ||||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | |||
| Equivalent Module: | ||||
| HECOS codes: | 100439 - broadcast journalism | 100440 - digital media | 100442 - journalism | 100445 - multimedia journalism |
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2026 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2032 |
Module Aims
The main aims of the module are:
To introduce students to the core principles of UK media law and journalistic ethics, developing awareness of fairness, accuracy, and accountability in sports reporting.
To build confidence in recognising and managing the legal, ethical, and PR pressures that influence sports journalism practice.
To establish a strong professional foundation that supports responsible decision-making and prepares students for more advanced law, ethics, and media practice in later years of the course.
Content Summary
This module introduces students to the essential legal and ethical principles that guide professional sports journalism. They will explore how accuracy, fairness, and accountability shape reporting, while also examining how PR and marketing influence what becomes news in the sports media landscape. Through interactive workshops and real-world case studies — from transfer rumours to safeguarding and sponsorship — they will learn how to recognise potential risks and make responsible editorial decisions. The purpose of this module is to build your confidence in applying media law and ethics to everyday reporting situations. It lays the foundation for professional integrity, critical judgement, and transparency in your journalistic practice. By developing these skills early in the course, they will be better prepared for the live reporting, production, and investigative challenges in later modules, ensuring their work meets both industry standards and public expectations of fairness and trust.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 56 |
| Guided Study | 10.5 |
| Summative Assessment | 60 |
| Independent Study and self-directed learning | 173.5 |
| Total Hours Selected | 116 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Identify and describe key areas of UK media law and ethics relevant to sports reporting. |
| LO2 | Apply fair and ethical principles when interpreting or producing sports media content influenced by PR or marketing. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment | Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 | Assesses students’ ability to apply foundational legal and ethical concepts to real-world reporting situations through structured, scenario-based questions. This format supports the Assessment for Learning principle of constructive alignment, linking theoretical knowledge directly to professional decision-making. The in-class format allows students to demonstrate applied understanding under guided conditions, promoting confidence, fairness, and consistency in marking | 0 | 1500 | 60 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Case study | Complements the above by encouraging students to translate key concepts into clear, accessible content for public audiences — a core skill for any journalist. The video blog format aligns with USW’s focus on authentic assessment and student agency, offering a creative, multimodal alternative to traditional essays while supporting digital literacy and communication skills. This approach promotes inclusivity by enabling students to demonstrate understanding through verbal and visual expression, not just writing | 3 | 1000 | 40 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Case study | ✔ | ✔ | |