Main topics of study:

The Legal System:

• Sources of Law
• The Legal Profession
• Court System

Court Restrictions:

• Open Court Rule
• Reporting Restrictions in Court
• Industrial Tribunals
• Access to Information
• Gaining Access
• Challenging Court Decisions on Access

Breach of Confidence:

• Obligation of Confidence
• What is Confidential
• Defences

Contempt of Court:

• Strict Liability Rule
• Defences
• Injunctions

Libel:

• Principle of Libel
• Libel & Slander
• Libel & Malicious Falsehood
• Defamation
• Plantiff’s Case
• Defences Against Libel Claims
• Procedure, Injunctions & Damages

Criminal Libel:

• Distinction between Civil & Criminal Libel
• Criminal Libel in Newspapers
• Defending Criminal Libel Actions
• Penalties
• Blasphemous Libel & Seditious Libel

Copyright:

• Copyright Works
• Who Owns Copyright
• Infringement
• Duration
• Remedies

Journalist Sources:

• Legal Implications & Restraints

Obscenity, Indecent Displays & Racial Hatred:

• Definition of Obscenity
• Deprave & Corrupt
• Search, Seizure & Forfeiture
• Public Good Defence
• Indecent Displays
• Incitement of Racial Hatred

Elections & Parliament:

• Broadcasting Controls
• Statements about Candidates
• Parliamentary Privilege & Contempt
• Freedom of Speech

Professional Regulatory Bodies:

• Regulatory Systems & Roles

Right to Privacy:

• Basic Propositions

Reading List

Main Text:
Law & the Media - Tom Crone (Butterworth Heinemann)

Alternative Texts and Further Reading:
McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists - Tom Welsh & Walter Greenwood (Butterworth Heinemann)