jrn5lej law and ethics in journalism

LAW AND ETHICS IN JOURNALISM

JRN5LEJ

2019

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject students will investigate the ethical and legal questions that confront journalists on an everyday basis, and the new dilemmas forged by rapidly evolving media technologies. To what extent have the ground rules changed with the explosion of new kinds of media content and platforms? Students explore how privacy, freedom of information, professional liability, conflict of interest, copyright and fair dealing, defamation, and confidentiality are dealt with by the law, through journalist codes of practice, and by media institutions. In this subject we will draw on the expertise of a range of experts and media professionals.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorKevin Brianton

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects JRN2DIJ, JRN3DIJ, JRN4LEJ

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Evaluate and synthesise arguments about competing "dilemmas" involving ethical and legal issues in journalism practice to a high level.

Activities:
All assessable work, lectures and tutorials,and guest lectures from industry and other relevant professionals.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)

02. Demonstrate understanding of how journalism ethics is practiced in a range of global contexts

Activities:
Students will be required to write about this in at least one of their two assignments
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Writing(Writing)

03. Demonstrate understanding of relevant codes of practice and codes of ethics and their relationship to legal issues that pertain to journalism practice

Activities:
All assessable work, lectures and tutorials,and guest lectures from industry and other relevant professionals.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Writing(Writing)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)

04. Understand the legal issues that journalists and content providers are required to know in order to function with confidence as media professionals and self-publishers.

Activities:
All assessable work, lectures and tutorials,and guest lectures from industry and other relevant professionals.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Writing(Writing)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

05. Understand how digital journalism is creating new ethical and "best practice" issues

Activities:
All assessable work, lectures and tutorials,and guest lectures from industry and other relevant professionals.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Writing(Writing)

06. Research and write at a sophisticated level about at least one specific issue relating to ethical journalism practice for a designated publication such as www.upstart.net.au

Activities:
Assignment 2
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)

07. Develop a life-long appreciation of the complexity of legal and ethical issues in the context of media and journalism.

Activities:
All classes and assessable work
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Writing(Writing)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBrigid McCarthy

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Court story plan 500 words1001, 03, 04, 06
Court story plus breakout box and reflective piece 1500 words equivalent. 1,000-words equivalent)4001, 03, 04, 05, 06
One 2500 word essay5001, 02, 03, 06, 07