LAW AND ETHICS IN JOURNALISM

JRN5LEJ

2021

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.

SchoolHumanities and Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorNasya Bahfen

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Available as ElectiveNo

Learning ActivitiesAll assessable work, lectures and tutorials,and guest lectures from industry and other relevant professionals.

Capstone subjectNo

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsJRN2DIJ OR JRN3DIJ OR JRN4LEJ

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Quota Management StrategyN/A

Quota-conditions or rulesN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Minimum credit point requirementN/A

Assumed knowledgeN/A

Career Ready

Career-focusedNo

Work-based learningNo

Self sourced or Uni sourcedN/A

Entire subject or partial subjectN/A

Total hours/days requiredN/A

Location of WBL activity (region)N/A

WBL addtional requirementsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

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.
02. Demonstrate understanding of how journalism ethics is practiced in a range of global contexts
03. Demonstrate understanding of relevant codes of practice and codes of ethics and their relationship to legal issues that pertain to journalism practice
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.
05. Understand how digital journalism is creating new ethical and "best practice" issues
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
07. Develop a life-long appreciation of the complexity of legal and ethical issues in the context of media and journalism.

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

City Campus, 2021, Semester 2, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNasya Bahfen

Class requirements

Block ModeWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 3.00 hours block mode other recurrence on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Weeks 1-3 of semester Two days - each day 2x3 hour seminars with 1 hour break

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle% ILO*

Court story plan 500 words

N/AOtherIndividualNo10 SILO1, SILO3, SILO4, SILO6

Court story plus breakout box and reflective piece 1500 words equivalent.

N/AOtherIndividualNo40 SILO1, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5, SILO6

Essay 2500 words

N/AAssignmentIndividualNo50 SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO6, SILO7