Media Law

Media Law

This is a two-part course, which will give students a first-class understanding of media law. Students may attend just the first two days (the introductory course), or all three days (the full course). Attendees of the Introductory course receive the Media Law Certificate, and successful attendees of the full course receive the Advanced Law Diploma.

In order to be awarded the Diploma, attendees of the full course are required to sit a two hour open-book exam, either by attending the LSJ, or by using our web-based, secure, timed exam room. This exam is normally taken within seven to ten days of the course ending.

Day 1: You and the law. Rights and restrictions - the legal context. Crime and the courts. Libel risks and defences. Ethical dilemmas.

Day 2: Human rights, privacy, confidentiality. Copyright law. Contempt of court. Children and young people. Sex offences. Codes of conduct. Freedom of Information. Conclusions.

Day 3: Legal dilemmas. FOI, data protection and Official Secrets. Protection of sources. Court reporting restrictions and challenges. Financial reporting. Conclusions.

Books: McNae's Essential Law for Journalists and Media Law course notes (London School of Journalism 2009). Cost included in course fees.

The course will run again in February 2010.