THE COLLEGE OF THE BAHAMAS
Course Outline
Title: Media Journalism Law and Ethics
Abbreviation and Number: JRNT450
AB Paper No.: 13-37
School: Communication and Creative Arts
Department: Journalism and Communication
Credits: 3
Course Sequence: ( ) Fall
( X ) Spring
(
( 3 ) Lecture
( ) Seminar
( ) Laboratory
(
Hours Per Week:
( ) Other (Specify)
Pre-requisite(s): JRNT340 or permission of Chair/Instructor
Co-requisite(s): None
) Fall and Spring
) Studio
(
) Kitchen
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students develop a critical understanding of media law and ethics. Within the context of journalism in The Bahamas,
they examine self-regulation, ethical responsibilities, crime and court reporting, the rights, freedoms and
responsibilities of the media; and analyse the concepts of defamation and contempt of court.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
1) Demonstrate a critical understanding of media and journalism ethics;
2) Examine the concept of self-regulation as practised regionally and internationally;
3) Analyse the essential features of the Law of Defamation and its various defences;
4) Assess the issues surrounding invasion of privacy;
5) Evaluate the constitutional basis for media coverage of court and public proceedings; and
6) Differentiate between the rights of the accused and the rights of the media.
COURSE CONTENT
I.
Laws and Regulations
A.
Libel and slander
B.
Defences and privileges
C.
Public officials, public figures, public issues
D.
The right to privacy
E.
Contempt of court
F.
Rules of court reporting
G.
Freedom of the press versus fair trial
H.
Self-regulation versus government regulation
I.
Press privileges and public proceedings
J.
Control boards and censorship
II.
Media Ethical Issues
A.
Deceit, fair comment and justification
B.
Social issues and media coverage
C.
Conflict of interest
D.
Fairness versus balance
E.
Decision to editorialize
F.
Codes of ethics
G.
Media images
H.
Press bias
The College of The Bahamas
AB Paper No.: 13-37
Course Outline
Title: Media Journalism Law and Ethics
Abbreviation and Number: JRNT450
I.
III.
Decency and fair play
Legal Issues and Corporate Policies
A.
Legal issues and e-commerce
B.
Copyright and advancing technology
C.
Television and film ratings/codes
D.
The business of human rights
E.
Reply/retraction obligations
ASSESSMENT
Assignments………………………..……. 30%
Mid-semester examination…………....... 30%
Research paper……………….…………. 40%
Total………………………………………100%
REQUIRED TEXT
Pember, Don, and Clay Calvert. Mass Media Law. 17th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS/MATERIALS
Bittner, John R. Law and Regulation of Electronic Media. 3rd ed. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 1999. Print.
Bugeja, Michael. Living Ethics: Across Media Platforms. 1st. Oxford: Oxford Press, 2007. Print.
Creech, Kenneth. Electronic Media Law and Regulation. New York: Routledge, 2013. Print.
Frost, Chris. Media Ethics and Regulation. London: Harlow Longman, 2007. Print.
Hanna, Mark, and Mike Dodd. McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists. 21st ed. Oxford: OUP, 2012. Print.
Keeble, Richard. Ethics for Journalists. London: Routledge, 2008. Print.
Moore, Roy L. Media Law and Ethics. 4th ed. New York: Routledge, 2011. Print.
Overbeck, Wayne, and Genelle Belmas. Major Principles of Media Law, 2nd Ed. New York: Cengage Learning,
2010. Print.
Patterson, Philip, and Lee Wilkins. Media Ethics: Issues and Cases. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2010. Print.
Bahamas Broadcast Act
Bahamas (Constitution) Statutory Instruments
Bahamas Copyright Act
Bahamas Films & Plays Booklet
Code of Practice for Jamaican Journalists and Media Organisations
NUJ Code of Conduct (UK)
PCC Code of Practice (UK)
WEBSITES
fds.oup.com/www.oup.co.uk/general/mcnaes/index.html
journalismbahamas.wordpress.com
www.overlawyered.com
www.legalnews
www.newstips
rcmlp.socleg.ox.uk
www.mediacentral.com
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