Category Archives: Media Law Update (2015)

Personal commentary on reporting elections: Journalistic obligation for accuracy and impartiality is greater than ever at election time. This is because it is through our reporting that, we as journalists, will assist the democratic process to allow voters to make their … Continue reading →

Personal commentary surrounding regulation and ethics: In previous blogs I have covered the legal framework in which journalism takes place including: limits imposed by laws on defamation, contempt of court, and copyright. The main focus of this week’s blog is to explore regulation … Continue reading →

Personal commentary on the risks surrounding copyright and the freedom of information: Copyright is a noble cause and without copyright protection journalism, as a business, could not exist. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 protects a publication from having it’s content lifted word for … Continue reading →

Personal commentary on qualified privilege, inquests and tribunals: Privilege offers day to day protection for a journalist in routine activities such as going to public meetings, council hearings, and even conversations with press officers. The main focus of this week’s … Continue reading →

Personal commentary on privacy, confidentiality, and data protection: This area of law has been developing fairly rapidly – largely thanks to the significant impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 – as well as judgements made in the European Court of Human Rights. The main focus of this … Continue reading →

Personal commentary on the analysis of defamation and libel: As a journalist it is important to identify three key dangers: when routine stories become defamatory, the traps you need to look out for, and the questions you need to ask yourself about a … Continue reading →

Personal commentary on the risks surrounding the reporting of crime and courts: In order to be a successful journalist it is critical to understand the key facts surrounding the difference between criminal and civil law, the court structure, sources of law, free press, … Continue reading →