Write an in-module individual assignment on a research based project demonstrating an understanding of a legal topic relevant to the media industry. This should be a maximum of 2000 words in length and represents 30% of the total module marks.

media industry

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
To fulfil the assessment requirements of this module students MUST:

1) Write an in-module individual assignment on a research based project demonstrating an understanding of a legal topic relevant to the media industry. This should be a maximum of 2000 words in length and represents 30% of the total module marks.
Deadline for submission of assignment: Wednesday 11th March 2015 by 13.00 p.m. submitted via Turnitin.

2) Do an end-of-module examination. The examination represents 70% of the module marks.  Students may bring 4 sides A4 notes into the examination.

Assessment Criteria
•    Understanding: of the assignment and examination questions and legal concepts inherent in the module.

•    Research: evidence of use of range of research sources to produce a clear and accurate presentation of the relevant legal issues.

•    Analysis: relevant legal rules / issues applied effectively in dealing with issues raised in the case study.

•    Structure: the content is organised in a coherent way.

•    Clarity and accuracy of written English: Grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct.

•    Presentation & Communication: the look, the layout and the impression it gives.

•    Participation: actively taking part in the taught sessions and independent study

ASSIGNMENT
SUBMISSION DATE; 11/3/15 by 13.00.
Either access one of the following Internet sites and write up in max 2000 words a comparative piece in a clear style and with appropriate UK law references, an explanation or analysis of a topic found there:

1)    Choose any topic from the areas we have studied – perhaps linked to a case or an area and research it and write this as an essay. It could perhaps have an international dimension but it cannot merely be a rehash of your lecture notes.

2)    Australian Press Council www.presscouncil.org.au
Look at recent adjudications and consider the cases until you find one that interests you.  Explain what the issue was concerned with and how it was resolved. Compare the approach of the APC with the possible outcome of a similar matter adjudicated by the Press Complaints Commission in England and Wales.

3)    European Court of Human Rights. www.echr.coe.int
Follow the Human Rights link. Go into recent judgements and select one that relates to the media or some other aspect of human rights that interests you. Explain what the issue was, how it was dealt with and what you think its significance is for the media or human rights issues in England and Wales.

4)    Newspapers or broadcasters abroad.  www.world-newspapers.com
Carry out an internet search to find out the site of any foreign     newspaper or broadcaster. Using the information on your chosen site,     find an item with a legal dimension or a media ethics issue. Explain     what the issue concerns and relate it to (possible) similar issues in     England and Wales.

5)    Or select a media topic or case which interests you and consider this from an international perspective.

All essay topics must be approved prior to submission. 10% of the mark will be allocated for a ten minute presentation of the topic in the sessions 17th March and 24th March 2014.

ASSIGNMENT – Some essentials for your legal writing:

1)    Always use quotation marks when inserting words which are not your own.  Failure to do this is plagiarism, which is a serious matter and may result in you being referred in the module.

2)    Referencing using the Harvard system, quoting the source of the material at the end of your assignment. The Harvard system is that the author’s name and the date of publication are given within the text. At the end of the text an alphabetical list of authors and titles are included.

3)    Also include an alphabetical list of cases cited if appropriate

Style
1)    Never write in the first person.

2)    Always make sure you read work before submitting it to ensure it makes sense.

3)    Avoid the use of colloquialisms and slang phrases, and abbreviations such as don’t, can’t etc.

4)    Use terminology and words you understand, and if in doubt use a dictionary.

5)    Use paragraphs that follow a sequence rather than presenting work that appears as a set of notes.

6)    Try to deal with your subject straight away in the opening paragraph. Avoid long introductions scanning the breadth of the subject area.

7)    Explain the outline of your argument, but remember to reserve the stronger points for your conclusion.

8)    The aim should be good clear writing, not ornate construction or earth shattering viewpoints expressed in glowing terms; be direct and straightforward.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students should attend lectures and seminars.  As the aim of the module is to introduce students to various areas of law, students will be introduced to a range of material during the lectures and seminars.  The seminars will operate as a follow – up to the lecture from the preceding week.  Students are expected to spend a minimum of 2 hours of study time reading the set texts, relevant articles and preparing material for discussion in seminars.

Learning and studying hints

i) What do I have to learn?
In studying law relevant to media, you are not aiming to become lawyers, but rather to acquire a general legal understanding and awareness, and this is an important part of a media education. Acquiring such an understanding involves being familiar with certain legal concepts.

The types of law you will encounter are:
(a)    Cases
These are legal rules decided in court cases and much of English law has been made in this way.
Tolley  v Fry & Sons Ltd (1931) AC 333
Plaintiff            Defendant    (now referred to as Claimant and Defendant)
The image of a famous golfer amateur golfer appeared on an advertisement with a Fry’s chocolate bar sticking out of his pocket.  He had not given permission for his likeness to be used in that way. He sued for libel on the basis that there were a number of people who knew of his amateur status and would believe he was abusing this by being involved in commercial sponsorship in circumstances where the rules of amateur golf forbid the commercial endorsing of products.
Held: He succeeded in his action and was awarded damages and an injunction to prevent further publication.

Ratio Decidendi ( principle of law on which decision is based ) In certain circumstances a statement will convey a derogatory imputation because of information known to some people. The Court will decide how the ordinary reasonable person with that information would understand that statement.

(b)    Statutes  (Acts of Parliament)
These are laws passed by Parliament and several important examples will be mentioned during the course. For example – Official Secrets Act 1989, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Criminal Justice Act 2003, Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006.
Each statute is divided into sections, each section contains a particular legal rule. You will not have to learn a whole statute, however you may need to be familiar with and explain certain sections.

ii) How do I apply my knowledge?
There are various methods of testing legal understanding.

1)    Short answer questions – these require an understanding of legal concepts and definitions.

2)    Essay questions – these questions are more discursive and may require an analysis of the philosophy behind particular legal rules or a discussion of different methods of dealing with a particular legal issue.

3)    Problem questions – where a hypothetical fact situation is posed for students to advise the relevant parties of their legal options.
For this type of question you need to:
(a)    Identify and state the legal points raised by the question;
(b)    Discuss the relevant law that applies by explaining relevant cases and statutes;
(c)    Apply the relevant law to the problem. There will not always be a clear cut solution; alternative outcomes or possibilities may need to be considered;
4)    Role plays – where students act out various scenarios mirroring legal  areas of  a dispute.

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