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.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Kevin Brianton
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: JRN2DIJ, JRN3DIJ, JRN4LEJ
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/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)
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Brigid 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 element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court story plan 500 words | 10 | 01, 03, 04, 06 | |
| Court story plus breakout box and reflective piece 1500 words equivalent. 1,000-words equivalent) | 40 | 01, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| One 2500 word essay | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 06, 07 |