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Session: 2022/23
Last modified: 11/03/2022 11:55:43
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Title of Module: Journalism Law & Regulation |
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Code: JOUR11001 |
SCQF Level: 11
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) |
Credit Points: 20 |
ECTS: 10
(European Credit Transfer Scheme) |
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| School: | School of Business & Creative Industries |
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| Module Co-ordinator: | Elizabeth
McLaughlin |
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| Summary of Module |
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Students will be introduced to the criminal and civil justice system in Scotland, areas of particular relevance for journalists will becovered paying particular attention to ethical considerations. Issues discussed will include reporting the courts, contempt of court, defamation, broadcasting law and regulation, freedom of information and privacy. A key aim is for students to understand how to apply their understanding of Scots Law to produce legally sound and accurate professional news reports in a variety of situations. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the justification for existing laws and on ethical questions that journalists confront when applying these laws and to critically analyse competing claims surrounding legal and regulatory constraints on professional journalism. Debates at the forefront of the subject – such as libel reform changes to laws around privacy etc. – will be researched and analysed and students will have the opportunity to engage with legal experts and court reporters in class tutorials and there will be student-led weekly topical discussions.
Topics covered include:
- Defamation
- Contempt of Court and court reporting restrictions
- Broadcasting and press editorial codes
- The European Convention on Human Rights and the implications for journalism practice from the application and interpretation of the ECHR.
- Privacy
- Intellectual Property
- Freedom of Information
- Defamation
- Contempt of Court and court reporting restrictions
- Broadcasting and press editorial codes
- The European Convention on Human Rights and the implications for journalism practice from the application and interpretation of the ECHR.
- Privacy
- Intellectual Property
- Freedom of Information
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| Module Delivery Method |
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| Face-To-Face | Blended | Fully Online | HybridC | HybridO | Work-based Learning |
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.
Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations
Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.
HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus
HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus
Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.
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| Term(s) for Module Delivery |
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(Provided viable student numbers permit).
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| Term 1 | | Term 2 | | Term 3 | |
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| Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements) |
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On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:
L1.
Investigate, research and broadcast news stories safely and to a fully professional standard, by demonstrating extensive and detailed knowledge of the constraints set down by defamation, contempt and other relevant laws.
L2.
Apply the requirements of broadcasting regulatory codes and in so doing demonstrate awareness of key current issues in broadcast journalism and advanced professional practice.
L3.
Critically analyse and evaluate the success of relevant laws and ethical regulatory codes, in reconciling competing rights. |
| Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills |
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| SCQF Headings |
During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve
core skills in:
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| Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) |
SCQF Level 11.
Knowledge that covers and integrates most of the main areas of law for journalists – including their features, terminology and conventions.
Extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of key aspects of journalism law.
Critical awareness of current issues in law for journalists
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| Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding |
SCQF Level 11.
Use the principal skills, techniques and practices of broadcast journalism and apply knowledge and understanding of journalism law.
Practise legally safe journalism in a variety of professional level contexts.
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| Generic Cognitive skills |
SCQF Level 11.
Apply critical analysis and evaluation to issues which are the forefront of journalism law.
Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills practices and thinking in journalism law.
Deal with complex issues and make informed judgements in the absence of complete information.
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| Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills |
SCQF Level 11.
Use a range of advanced and specialised skills as appropriate, for example:
Communicate, through news reports, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise.
Communicate informed judgements on relevant legal matters to senior colleagues.
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| Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others |
SCQF Level 11.
Exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in activities at a professional level – in making ethical and legal decisions.
Deal with complex ethical, legal and professional issues and make informed judgements on issues addressed, and not addressed, by current professional and/or ethical codes and practices.
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| Pre-requisites: |
Before undertaking this module the student should have
undertaken the following:
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Module Code:
| Module Title:
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| Other: | |
| Co-requisites | Module Code:
| Module Title:
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* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.
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| Learning and Teaching |
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| The module is delivered through lectures and tutorials and students will also take part in workshops and discussions around the application of the law and media regulations in a practical journalism context. There will be visits to court to familiarise students with the workings of Scottish courts and workshops on producing court reports for online and broadcast. |
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to
achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below:
| Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities) |
| Lecture/Core Content Delivery | 12 |
| Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity | 24 |
| Work Based Learning/Placement | 8 |
| Independent Study | 156 |
| 200
Hours Total
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**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet
access)
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The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content
and ultimately for the learning outcomes:
Crook, T (2013) The UK Media Law Pocketbook, Routledge
Dodd M. and Hanna, M. (2014), McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists, 22nd edition, Oxford, Oxford University Press (this book is basically the equivalent text book to Scots Law for Journalists for students in the rest of the UK).
McInnes, R, (2010), Scots Law for Journalists, 8th ed. Edinburgh, W. Green. (Note that previous editions of this book are out of date).
Quinn, F. (2013), Law for Journalists, 4th edition, Harlow, Pearson Education
The International Forum for Responsible Media is a useful resource for media law issues: https://inforrm.wordpress.com/
BBC Journalism Academy has a useful section on law as it impact on journalism: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/journalism/law
BJTC Media Law, Regulation & Ethics Handbook (2021) https://bjtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BJTCMediaLawRegulationEthicsHandbook2021-1.pdf
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(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications,
students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to
wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date
material)
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| Engagement Requirements |
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In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure
Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
Students will also be expected to attend a minimum of two court visits as part of this module. |
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Supplemental Information
| Programme Board | Arts & Media |
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| Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) |
No
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| Subject Panel | Arts & Media |
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| Moderator | Kenneth Pratt |
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| External Examiner | Deborah Wilson-David |
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| Accreditation Details | BJTC |
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| Version Number | 2.07 |
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| Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below) |
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| Practical court report/broadcast 40% |
| Examination 60% |
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module
(one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module
will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times
within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be
provided within the Student Handbook.)
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Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)
Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above
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Note(s):
- More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
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Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.
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| Equality and Diversity |
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Aligned with the overall commitment to equality and diversity stated in the Programme Handbook Specifications, the module supports equality of opportunity for students from all backgrounds and with different learning needs. Students have the opportunity to discuss their final practical assessment and choose their own area of enquiry. Using AULA, learning materials will be presented electronically in formats that allow flexible access and manipulation of content. The module complies with University regulations and guidance on inclusive learning and teaching practice. Specialist assistive equipment, support provision and adjustment to assessment practice will be made in accordance with UWS policy and regulations. The University’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Policy can be accessed at the following link: http://www.uws.ac.uk/equality/
Our partners are fully committed to the principles and practice of inclusiveness and our modules are designed to be accessible to all. Where this module is delivered overseas, local equivalent support for students and appropriate legislation applies. Students are also encouraged to consider diverse voices in producing news content examining areas of politics and policy which is fully inclusive.
UWS Equality and Diversity Policy |
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(N.B. Every effort
will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues
brought to the attention of the School)
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