JN2002:03
Media Law and Ethics
Townsville, Cairns
HECS Band 1
13 hours lectures, 20 hours tutorials. Semester 1.
Staff: Ms L McCaffery (Townsville campus); Dr J Norgate (Cairns campus).
Students further examine the various legal constraints that operate on journalists and the media. These include government legislation, professional ethics and the common law. Students learn the reporting and writing principles required to cover rounds associated with the Justice System: crime, police and the courts. They learn about the laws of defamation, contempt and copyright and examine case studies. They also examine strategies used by media and public relations practitioners to take account of ethical and legal complications whilst at the same time maintaining effective and responsible reporting.
Learning Objectives:
- to acquire a working knowledge of law related to journalism and public relations;
- to acquire knowledge of ethical issues confronting working journalists and public relations practitioners.
Assessment by participation in seminars; a two-hour examination.