Media Law and Ethics
Unit code: HAM437
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 Semester /Teaching Period |
| Contact hours | 36 hours |
| Campus | Hawthorn |
| Prerequisites | Nil |
| Corequisites | Nil |
Related course(s)
Aims and objectives
This course aims to provide an understanding of the main areas of the law that have to be taken into account in making decisions to publish or broadcast material. Students will also be asked to consider the formal and informal codes of ethics that govern the activities of media practitioners.
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:
After successfully completing this unit, students should be able to:
* Understand the laws relating to Defamation, Contempt of Court, Vilification, Censorship, Copyright and Privacy, and how they limit the publication of information in Australia.
* Make judgements about when to get legal advice before publishing material.
* Understand the ways in which the laws affecting freedom of speech in Australia have developed, and any likely future developments.
* Understand the key ethical debates as they relate to media practice and the activities of media practitioners
Students are also expected to develop skills in:
* Advanced reading and writing, including essay wring
* Advanced reading and writing, including essay wring
* Analytical and critical thinking
* Using the internet for communication, learning and research
* Undertaking research, both in the library and on the internet
* Communicating their findings clearly and effectively
Generic skills outcomes
The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce graduates who are:
* Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
* Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
* Effective and ethical in work and community situations
* Adaptable and able to manage change
* Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural)
* Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
* Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
* Effective and ethical in work and community situations
* Adaptable and able to manage change
* Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural)
Content
This course aims to provide an understanding of the main areas of the law that have to be taken in to account in making decisions regarding the publication or broadcasting of material. Students are taught to apply the principles of the law to real life examples, and will develop the ability to make judgements on when and how to publish contentious material. This will include the ability to make a judgement on when it is necessary to seek professional legal advice. Students will learn about how the law has developed, and any likely future developments.
Specific areas of the law covered include:
Defamation
Contempt of Court
Defamation
Contempt of Court
Vilification legislation
Censorship
Copyright
Privacy
Freedom of Information legislation
Students will also be asked to consider the formal and informal codes of ethics that govern the activities of media practitioners.
Reading materials
Kaplan, Richard T. & Maines, Patrick D. (1995) ‘The role of government in undermining journalistic ethics’, Journal of Mass Media
Ethics 10 (4):236 – 247.
Keeble, Richard (2009). Ethics for Journalists. Routledge.
Pearson, Mark (2007). The Journalists’ Guide to Media Law (Third Edition). Allen and Unwin.
Rao, Shakuntala & Lee, Seow Ting (2005) ‘Globalizing media ethics? An assessment of universal ethics among international political
journalists’, Journal of Mass Media Ethics 20 (2 & 3):99 – 120.
Sanders, Karen (2003). Ethics & Journalism. Sage.
Singer, Jane B. (2006) ‘Partnerships and public service: Normative issues for journalists in converged newsrooms’, Journal of Mass
Media Ethics 21 (1):30 – 53.
