IA1111:03
Introduction to Media, Law and Ethics
Townsville
HECS Band 1
20 hours lectures, 20 hours practicals, 12 hours specialist conference. Semester 1. March/April block mode.
Available to DipIndgStud, BIndgStud and other undergraduate students.
Staff: Ms F Onus, Ms M Mollison.
This subject focuses on news journalism and the law and ethics issues relating to the media. Topics covered will include news research skills, defamation, contempt of court, appropriate handling of news sources and copyright (in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contexts). The code of practice of the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the media industry’s self regulation documents will be discussed. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance code of ethics which relate to reporting and editing in radio, print and television will be covered. Basic communication theory and appropriate protocols for doing media in Indigenous communities will be covered.
Learning Objectives:
- analyse the structures, concepts and language of mainstream journalism;
- strengthen students’ news sense and enable them to monitor a wide range of issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
- acquire the skills needed to research and accurately report news stories;
- explore the cultural protocols relevant to reporting news about Indigenous issues and about any stories within an Indigenous community or context;
- develop a working knowledge of defamation and its defences;
- gain an understanding of how to get copyright clearances for Indigenous and non-Indigenous material and in what situations this is required;
- learn how to make a complaint to the relevant body about a program, article or advertisement;
- demonstrate a knowledge of self-regulation in the various sectors of the broadcasting industry;
- demonstrate a knowledge of media and journalism ethics in the mainstream and Indigenous media;
- understand the correct protocols and laws relating to court reporting.
Assessment by attendance (10%); conference report (20%); media journal (20%); examination (30%); off-campus assignment (20%).