Media Law

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
• Convenor: Ali Raiss-Tousi
• Assessment: a 3000-word essay (100%)

On this module you will learn about the law regulating media activity. We will cover the importance of media freedom, the laws on defamation, privacy, copyright and contempt of court in their application to the media, as well as Ofcom regulation of broadcast content. Issues such as the protection of children and vulnerable adults through restrictions on court reporting will also be explored. Although UK law is primarily considered, relevant European law will also be discussed as and where appropriate.

Indicative Module syllabus

• Principles of media law and regulation of the press
• Broadcasting structure and regulation
• European media law
• Media ownership and plurality
• Competition law and advertising regulation
• Defamation
• Privacy and breach of confidence
• Contempt of court
• Reporting legal proceedings
• Investigative journalism: the Freedom of Information Act and the privilege not to disclose sources

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• discuss and evaluate the contentious issues around ownership of the press and also accountability within the media industry
• assess the impact of regulatory mechanisms on the activities of print and broadcast media
• appraise the role of external agencies and judicial bodies in enforcing regulatory mechanisms
• understand the legal issues pertaining to the control, content and dissemination of published material
• understand the main statutes and case law that affect the media industry
• understand the specific legal restrictions when covering court cases.