NZQA registered unit standard
27221 version 1
Page 1 of 8
Title
Write news stories from court and related activities, and demonstrate
media law and ethics knowledge
Level
5
Purpose
Credits
15
This unit standard is intended for people studying journalism in
an off-job situation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate
knowledge of: the application of media law to journalists and
news media outlets; news media regulatory bodies and the
application of media ethics to journalists and news media
outlets; the New Zealand court, police, and emergency
services systems and the legal rights and responsibilities of
journalists reporting on them. People are also able to write
news stories arising from court hearings, and police and
emergency services activities.
Classification
Journalism > Journalism Skills
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 27218, Gather and record information and plan news
stories for publication and broadcast; and Unit 27219, Write a
variety of news stories for publication and broadcast.
Explanatory notes
1
All evidence requirements in this unit standard must be demonstrated in accordance
with the minimum standards for professional journalism, found in the current editions
of: Statement of Principles (Wellington: New Zealand Press Council, 2006) available
at http://www.presscouncil.org.nz/principles.php – for print journalism; the Codes of
the New Zealand Radio Code of Broadcasting Practice (Wellington: New Zealand
Broadcasting Standards Authority, 2008) available at http://bsa.govt.nz/radio-code/.
These standards encompass – the Radio Code, the Free-to-Air Television Code, the
Pay Television Code.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2
27221 version 1
Page 2 of 8
Industry texts include but are not limited to:
– Burrows, John, A Journalist's Guide to the Law (Wellington: New Zealand
Journalists Training Organisation, 5th ed, 2006);
– Ministry of Justice, Media Guide for Reporting the Courts (Wellington: Ministry of
Justice, 2009);
– Price, Steven, Media Minefield: A Journalist’s Guide to Media Regulation in New
Zealand (Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 2007);
– Tully Jim (ed), Intro: A Beginner's Guide to Professional News Journalism
(Wellington: New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation, 4th edition, 2008).
Relevant text includes but is not limited to:
– Burrows, John, and Cheer, Ursula, Media Law in New Zealand (Wellington: Lexis
Nexis NZ, 6th ed, 2010).
3
Relevant legislation may include but is not limited to:
Broadcasting Act 1989;
Care of Children Act 2004;
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989;
Copyright Act 1994;
Coroners Act 2006;
Criminal Justice Act 1985;
Crimes Act 1961;
Defamation Act 1992;
Electoral Act 1993;
Harassment Act 1997;
Human Rights Act 1993;
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990;
Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (Section 173, sub-section k);
Privacy Act 1993;
Telecommunications Act 2001;
Terrorism Suppression Act 2002;
Trespass Act 1980;
Victims’ Rights Act 2002.
Relevant laws and legal conventions may include:
Court Newspaper Rule;
Law of breach of confidence;
Rules on reporting Parliament;
Tort of breach of privacy;
Tort of defamation;
Tort of trespass;
Evidence Act 2006.
4
Assessment
For all stories it may be appropriate for students to use ‘scenarios’ that have been
provided by the training provider.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
5
27221 version 1
Page 3 of 8
Definitions
breaking news refers to how news stories develop as more facts and comment
become available;
minimum standards for professional journalism refers to the conventions under which
the media operate and may include but are not limited to – stories of publishable
standard, meet agreed deadlines and length and are legally, ethically and culturally
sound;
news story is a timely and succinct account of unfolding events of public interest;
newsworthiness refers to events of sufficient interest or importance to the public to
warrant reporting in the media;
a newsworthy person is anyone whose status, knowledge, activities, statements, or
involvement in a news event means they are topical;
notes are defined as material recorded through shorthand, longhand, and voice
recorder, in accordance with minimum standards for professional journalism. In the
compiling of the information for the required stories the notes must display evidence
of a steady progression of shorthand use, to the minimum requirement of 80wpm;
platform refers to the delivery modes of radio, print, internet, and television;
publishable standard refers to the standard required by news media outlets for them
to consider publishing the material. It will meet standards described in the industry
texts and may include but is not limited to – news cycles; news rounds; breaking
news; news values; newsworthy person; newsworthiness; reliability, validity and
usefulness; introductions (impact, succinctness); structure (appropriate for story type
and platform, arranged logically); grammar; spelling; punctuation; house style; word
selection (jargon and clichés avoided); attribution (mix of direct and indirect quotes
including paraphrasing); understanding (issues in context, key questions answered);
balance; fairness; editorial requirements; language used in news media publications
and broadcasting;
reliability, validity, and usefulness, when referring to a news source, mean that the
bona fides of the person, organisation or reference are established as a credible,
knowledgeable, accurate, and authoritative source.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the application of media law to journalists and news media
outlets.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Laws and legal conventions underpinning news media freedom for news writing,
publishing, and broadcasting are explained in accordance with relevant
legislations, industry texts, and relevant text.
1.2
Laws and legal issues applying to journalists are explained in terms of news
gathering, news writing, publishing, and broadcasting, in accordance with
relevant legislation, industry texts, and relevant text.
1.3
Strategies for responding to legal threats and complaints are explained in
accordance with relevant legislation, industry texts, and relevant text.
Outcome 2
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27221 version 1
Page 4 of 8
Demonstrate knowledge of news media regulatory bodies and the application of media
ethics to journalists and news media outlets.
Range
explanations are in accordance with relevant legislations, laws, legal
conventions and industry and relevant texts.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Media ethical issues, and their relevance to professional media behaviour, are
identified and explained.
Range
2.2
evidence is required for five ethical issues.
News media regulatory and self-regulatory bodies, their codes, and their
relationship to ethical practices are identified and explained in terms of their
roles, standards, procedures, responsibilities, and powers.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the New Zealand court system and the legal rights and
responsibilities of journalists reporting on it.
Evidence requirements
3.1
The New Zealand court system is described in terms of its structure and
functions in accordance with the industry texts and relevant text.
Range
3.2
may include but is not limited to – Supreme Court, Court of
Appeal, High Court, District Court, Family Court, Youth Court,
Environment Court, Employment Court and Employment Relations
Authority, Coroners Court; tribunals and quasi-judicial bodies such
as the Waitangi Tribunal, Complaints Review Tribunal, Social
Security Appeals Authority;
evidence is required for a minimum of three different court
structures and functions.
Roles within the New Zealand court system are identified and the purpose of
each is described.
Range
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
may include but is not limited to – judges, associate judges of the
High Court, community magistrates, juries, justices of the peace,
counsel, police prosecutors, registrars, court clerks, probation
officers, coroners, bailiffs, victims’ advisers, judicial officers who
staff tribunals;
evidence is required for a minimum of three New Zealand court
system roles.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
3.3
Issues dealt with by the New Zealand court system are described.
Range
3.4
may include but is not limited to –
criminal cases – summary justice, right of election, indictably laid
charges, depositions, remands, interlocutory proceedings,
discovery, judicial review, pleadings, affidavits, submissions;
injunctions;
civil cases;
tribunal hearings;
evidence is required for three New Zealand court system issues.
Legal rights and responsibilities of journalists reporting on the New Zealand
court system are explained.
Range
3.5
27221 version 1
Page 5 of 8
includes but is not limited to – right to be present, applications to
search court records, rights to report, suppression of name,
cameras and recorders in court.
Contempt of court issues are explained in terms of the New Zealand court rules.
Range
includes but is not limited to – pre-trial publicity, sub judice,
previous records, confessions, identification, criticism of judges,
scandalising the court, behaviour in court.
Outcome 4
Write news stories arising from court hearings in accordance with the publishable
standard.
Range
evidence is required for the writing of a minimum of five news stories from court
hearings. Three stories are required from two undefended district court cases
and one defended district court case.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Information for news stories is gathered.
Range
includes but is not limited to – attending court, obtaining
information from court documents and officers, the use of notes.
4.2
News stories are written ensuring legal pitfalls are avoided.
4.3
News stories are corrected and filed to meet training establishment practices.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27221 version 1
Page 6 of 8
Outcome 5
Demonstrate knowledge of the New Zealand police system and the legal rights and
responsibilities of journalists reporting on it.
Evidence requirements
5.1
The police system and activities and journalists’ rights and responsibilities for
reporting on them are explained in accordance with the industry and relevant
texts.
Range
police system may include but is not limited to – structure,
legislation, accepted conventions, communication procedures,
media releases, breaking news; pre-trial publicity, contempt of
court, conflict, confidentiality, manipulation, public interest, ethics;
police activities may include – accidents, armed offenders,
murders, call-outs, floods, fires, police chases, earthquakes;
evidence is required for a minimum of three police system items
and three police activities.
Outcome 6
Write a news story arising from police activities.
Range
evidence is required for the writing of one news story arising from police
activities.
Evidence requirements
6.1
Angles for the news story are determined and developed ensuring the story has
a logical structure.
6.2
News story is written in accordance with the publishable standard.
6.3
News story is corrected in accordance with the publishable standard and filed to
meet training establishment practices.
Outcome 7
Demonstrate knowledge of the New Zealand emergency services system and the legal
rights and responsibilities of journalists reporting on them.
Range
civil defence, search and rescue, ambulance services, fire services.
Evidence requirements
7.1
Emergency services activities are explained in terms of newsworthiness.
7.2
Journalists’ rights and responsibilities for reporting on emergency services
activities are explained.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27221 version 1
Page 7 of 8
Outcome 8
Write a news story arising from emergency services activities.
Range
evidence is required for the writing of one news story from emergency services
activities;
emergency services may include but are not limited to – civil defence, search
and rescue, ambulance services, fire services;
evidence excludes – police activities.
Evidence requirements
8.1
Angles for the news story are determined and developed ensuring the story has
a logical structure.
8.2
News story is written in accordance with the publishable standard.
8.3
News story is corrected in accordance with the publishable standard and filed to
meet training establishment practices.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 10380, unit
standard 23116, and unit standard 23117.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
21 July 2011
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0002
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27221 version 1
Page 8 of 8
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Competenz info@competenz.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the
content of this unit standard.
Competenz
SSB Code 101571
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016