📚 Media Law & Ethics Review
Brief Overview
This note covering media law was created from a 60‑page PDF. It offers a structured look
at UK media regulations, source protection, reporting restrictions, defamation, privacy,
and the ethical guidelines that govern journalistic practice.
Key Points
A comprehensive survey of the legal frameworks that shape journalism—from
statutes to European human‑rights conventions.
Detailed explanations of the key tests (Article 10 ECHR, Contempt of Court
Act, defamation elements, privacy expectations) with real‑case illustrations.
Practical exam‑ready outlines for identifying restrictions, applying
public‑interest defenses, and making ethical decisions.
Highlighted guidance on handling confidential sources, child protection, and
media‑related harassment or persistence.
📜 Topic 1 – The Legal Framework and the Role of the
Journalist
Key definitions
Law – Rules created by Parliament and the courts that people must follow.
Media law – The area of law that controls what journalists can publish.
Journalist – Someone who gathers, writes and publishes information for the public.
Freedom of expression – The right to express opinions and share information without
unnecessary interference.
Public interest – Information that benefits the public by exposing wrongdoing or
helping people make informed decisions.
Legal restriction – A rule that limits what can be published to protect others.
Sources of media law
Source Description Example
Statute law Laws passed by Parliament Defamation Act 2013
, Common law Judge‑made law through Established defamation
decisions principles
European Convention on International human‑rights Article 10 (freedom of
Human Rights treaty influencing UK law expression)
Court judgments Judicial interpretations of Goodwin v UK (2002)
statutes and common law
Why it matters to journalists
Potential civil or criminal liability (suits, fines, imprisonment).
Editors and publishers share legal responsibility.
Ignorance is not a defence; mistakes damage trust.
Freedom of expression (Article 10 ECHR)
Guarantees the right to receive and share information.
Qualified right – can be restricted if the restriction is:
1. Prescribed by law
2. Necessary
3. Proportionate
Competing rights
Article 8 – right to privacy.
Article 6 – right to a fair trial.
Defamation law – protects reputation.
Role of the journalist under the law
Act responsibly.
Verify information.
Avoid unnecessary harm.
Respect legal boundaries.
Serve the public interest.
Public interest – what it is and is not
Included Excluded
Exposing crime or wrongdoing Mere gossip
Protecting public health/safety Pure curiosity
, Preventing the public from being misled Entertainment‑only stories
Exam‑focus points
Explain the four sources of media law.
Define freedom of expression and its limits.
Identify why journalists are restricted.
Outline Article 10 and its qualified nature.
Describe the public‑interest test.
🔒 Topic 2 – Sources, Confidentiality and Protection
Key definitions
Source – A person or organisation that provides information to a journalist.
Confidential source – A source who expects their identity not to be revealed.
Confidentiality – A promise or duty to keep information secret.
Journalistic material – Notes, recordings, emails, photos, etc., created or acquired for
journalism.
Excluded material – Confidential journalistic material with the strongest protection.
Special procedure material – Non‑confidential material still protected, but subject to
a different procedure.
Production order – Court order requiring a journalist or media organisation to hand
over material.
Core legislation – Contempt of Court Act 1981 s.10
Protection: Courts cannot force disclosure of a source unless it is necessary for
one of four statutory reasons.
The four legal exceptions (memorised as N C H J)
1. National security
2. Prevention of crime or disorder
3. Protection of public health or safety
4. Prevention of the administration of justice being impeded
Key case law
Brief Overview
This note covering media law was created from a 60‑page PDF. It offers a structured look
at UK media regulations, source protection, reporting restrictions, defamation, privacy,
and the ethical guidelines that govern journalistic practice.
Key Points
A comprehensive survey of the legal frameworks that shape journalism—from
statutes to European human‑rights conventions.
Detailed explanations of the key tests (Article 10 ECHR, Contempt of Court
Act, defamation elements, privacy expectations) with real‑case illustrations.
Practical exam‑ready outlines for identifying restrictions, applying
public‑interest defenses, and making ethical decisions.
Highlighted guidance on handling confidential sources, child protection, and
media‑related harassment or persistence.
📜 Topic 1 – The Legal Framework and the Role of the
Journalist
Key definitions
Law – Rules created by Parliament and the courts that people must follow.
Media law – The area of law that controls what journalists can publish.
Journalist – Someone who gathers, writes and publishes information for the public.
Freedom of expression – The right to express opinions and share information without
unnecessary interference.
Public interest – Information that benefits the public by exposing wrongdoing or
helping people make informed decisions.
Legal restriction – A rule that limits what can be published to protect others.
Sources of media law
Source Description Example
Statute law Laws passed by Parliament Defamation Act 2013
, Common law Judge‑made law through Established defamation
decisions principles
European Convention on International human‑rights Article 10 (freedom of
Human Rights treaty influencing UK law expression)
Court judgments Judicial interpretations of Goodwin v UK (2002)
statutes and common law
Why it matters to journalists
Potential civil or criminal liability (suits, fines, imprisonment).
Editors and publishers share legal responsibility.
Ignorance is not a defence; mistakes damage trust.
Freedom of expression (Article 10 ECHR)
Guarantees the right to receive and share information.
Qualified right – can be restricted if the restriction is:
1. Prescribed by law
2. Necessary
3. Proportionate
Competing rights
Article 8 – right to privacy.
Article 6 – right to a fair trial.
Defamation law – protects reputation.
Role of the journalist under the law
Act responsibly.
Verify information.
Avoid unnecessary harm.
Respect legal boundaries.
Serve the public interest.
Public interest – what it is and is not
Included Excluded
Exposing crime or wrongdoing Mere gossip
Protecting public health/safety Pure curiosity
, Preventing the public from being misled Entertainment‑only stories
Exam‑focus points
Explain the four sources of media law.
Define freedom of expression and its limits.
Identify why journalists are restricted.
Outline Article 10 and its qualified nature.
Describe the public‑interest test.
🔒 Topic 2 – Sources, Confidentiality and Protection
Key definitions
Source – A person or organisation that provides information to a journalist.
Confidential source – A source who expects their identity not to be revealed.
Confidentiality – A promise or duty to keep information secret.
Journalistic material – Notes, recordings, emails, photos, etc., created or acquired for
journalism.
Excluded material – Confidential journalistic material with the strongest protection.
Special procedure material – Non‑confidential material still protected, but subject to
a different procedure.
Production order – Court order requiring a journalist or media organisation to hand
over material.
Core legislation – Contempt of Court Act 1981 s.10
Protection: Courts cannot force disclosure of a source unless it is necessary for
one of four statutory reasons.
The four legal exceptions (memorised as N C H J)
1. National security
2. Prevention of crime or disorder
3. Protection of public health or safety
4. Prevention of the administration of justice being impeded
Key case law
