LAW AND ETHICS IN JOURNALISM
JRN5LEJ
2018
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-ordinatorPeter Gregory
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Enrolled in AMCJI or with co-ordinator's approval
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects JRN2DIJ, JRN3DIJ, JRN4LEJ
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. A capacity to 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. A demonstrated 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. A demonstrated 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. A developed understanding of 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. A specific understanding of 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. An ability to 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…
Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPeter Gregory
Class requirements
Seminar
Week:
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 |