Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. To give students an insight into the legal and ethical frameworks within which journalists work in the UK and in a global context.
2. To prepare students to recognise when legal and ethical issues arise which relate to their practice and / or the reports they are producing and to be able to identify those issues and research and analyse how they should respond to them in an appropriate manner.
3. To prepare students to be able to develop their knowledge and understanding of legal and ethical issues throughout their careers and to apply that knowledge and understanding as reflexive practitioners guided by a strong set of professional and ethical values.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module may include, but is not limited to, sessions on:
Reporting crime and judicial institutions and procedure:
Defamation dangers and defences;
Press and broadcasting regulation;
Censorship, access to information and freedom of expression;
Ethical issues in journalism and professional values;
Legal and ethical issues relating to children and the law, children in the media;
Copyright and intellectual property.

The module is structured to build understanding week-by-week to help embed the knowledge and skills needed to work in a field which is in constant flux and where students need to understand the legal and ethical frameworks which constrain and support journalists - and other media practitioners - in their work.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module should have:
K1: A developed understanding of the legal processes at a national and local level as they apply to journalism and media production, and in relation to comparative international systems and frameworks;
K2: A developed understanding of the role and responsibilities of a free press in democracies and its limitations.
K3: A developed understanding of ethical issues and concerns relating to journalism and the ability to identify them independently.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students successfully completing the module should have:
S1: The ability to apply principles and concepts of law to journalism and media practice in the UK at a local and national level with an understanding of international comparatives.
S2: The ability to recognise when and which legal and ethical concerns arise in relation to journalism practice and to identify these and respond appropriately;
S3: Understand key concepts within the legal system that apply to journalism in practice and to exercise the appropriate rights and liberties available under the law.
S4: The ability to interpret the structures, roles and methods of legal systems for the purposes of reporting.
S5: The ability to exercise good ethical judgement in media practice and the balance of public interest.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Key legal and ethical issues as they relate to journalism and the media in diverse judicial, social, political and cultural contexts are introduced by tutors in lectures and group sessions.

These are explored further by students in group sessions to help them consider different issues involved in the legal and ethical context in which journalists work and how these are understood and applied.

Bi-weekly lectures throughout the module allow students to learn in-depth with time for more independent study the following week, while three separate workshops create space for more hands-on scenarios-based learning to practise what they have learned.

This course is driven by exercises and case studies as well as real-world scenarios to help the students engage with what they learn. This student-centred approach encourages a rich and deep understanding of the areas of law and ethical and professional values which they may encounter in a career in the media.

The course takes a varied and interactive approach to learning, aimed at encouraging engagement and interest. Students are strongly advised and encouraged to participate as best they can. Accessibility of the content and learning opportunities is considered throughout the teaching with the aim of creating the most positive environment to enable students to engage.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Summative Online open-book Quiz - 40%

This mid-module quiz will test the students' understanding of the content from the first half of the course. The quiz will be available for a set duration of time, with students able to save and return before the submission deadline. This helps to give students an idea of where they need to focus in the latter half of the module and provides them with encouragement and confidence in their understanding of the content.


Formative short online quiz:

A second, shorter, formative online quiz will test the students’ understanding of the topics of the second half of the module which will help prepare them for the final, summative assessment.


Summative Critical analysis, equivalent to 2,500 words - 60%:

Using their learning and understanding from the module, students will choose from a designated list of real-world stories. They should identify and discuss the relevant legal and ethical considerations for media outlets and journalists reporting the story and critically analyse the contemporary media reporting of it using case studies from the press.

The assessment strategy provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of legal issues through structured, cumulative learning, analysis and practice.

General Notes

N/A