Media law masterclass

A practical guide to English and Welsh law for journalists

Course Summary

Thus five-week course will show you how to work with the law to make the most of every story you cover.

Course Curriculum

1. How libel law affects journalists
9 Lessons
- Intro to the course from David Mascord
  Start
- What we will cover in this section
  Start
- A brief guide to how the law works
  Start
- What is libel?
  Start
- What does the claimant have to argue?
  Start
- Common libel danger areas and how to avoid them
  Start
- The dangers of apologies in response to libel claims
  Start
- Quick quiz: Test your knowledge of libel
  Start
- Libel challenge: Some reporting scenarios to consider
  Start
2. What you can and can’t report: the main defences to libel
7 Lessons
- What we will cover in this section
  Start
- The challenges of arguing a Truth defence
  Start
- Defences for reporting in the public interest
  Start
- Avoiding libel in reviews and opinion pieces
  Start
- Defences for online comments and live broadcasts
  Start
- Other defences to libel
  Start
- Test yourself: some libel defence scenarios
  Start
3. Contempt law & court reporting restrictions
5 Lessons
- What we will cover in this section
  Start
- How contempt law affects journalists on all platforms
  Start
- Reporting restrictions on legal issues involving 'vulnerable' people
  Start
- Tips for reporting safely on legal stories
  Start
- Test yourself: some reporting scenarios to consider
  Start
4. Accessing and using material
7 Lessons
- What we will cover in this section
  Start
- What the law says about using other people’s material
  Start
- Copyright dangers in using content from social media
  Start
- Is it safe? Defences to breach of copyright
  Start
- Using the Freedom of Information Act to access info from public bodies
  Start
- Your rights to report and film in public places
  Start
- Test yourself: some reporting scenarios to consider
  Start
5. The law relating to privacy and confidentiality
7 Lessons
- What we will cover in this section
  Start
- How the law of breach of confidence affects your reporting
  Start
- Privacy law and the public interest
  Start
- Reporting on people in the public eye
  Start
- What editorial codes say about privacy and secret recording
  Start
- Test yourself: some reporting scenarios to consider
  Start
- Course summary and where to find further info
  Start

Media law masterclass

A practical guide to English and Welsh law for journalists

Course Summary

Course Curriculum

1. How libel law affects journalists

2. What you can and can’t report: the main defences to libel

3. Contempt law & court reporting restrictions

4. Accessing and using material

5. The law relating to privacy and confidentiality

David Mascord

Course Pricing

Media law masterclass

£330