In nigeria, media laws are legislations made by the government in power at the federal, state, and local government levels, to control or regulate the activities of the press in a part or all parts of nigeria. Introduction to mass mediamedia law and ethics wikibooks. Other means of suppressing media freedom are oppressive measures like raids. His privileges like facilities to enter the precincts of the house and cover its proceedings can be withdrawn. Media law is a legal field that relates to legal regulation of the telecommunications industry, information technology, broadcasting, advertising, the entertainment industry, censorship, and internet and online services among others as the popularity of various media have proliferated, the field of media law has become more important. Research and publications in the field of information ethics has been produced since the 1980s. Journalism 400 mass communication law and ethics semester. Censorship policy is a necessity to media because contents that are published through the media must always be checked and filtered in order to prevent harmful and misleading contents to reach the public. Media law and ethics equips prospective mass communication professional with. Media ethics, barrie macdonald and michel petheram, continuum international. When individuals make the decision to become a part of the media world, they must be sure to operate with a certain degree of uprightness and morality.
Grounded in ethical theory, the public philosophies of communication and media performance norms, this text provides guidelines for individual ethical decisionmaking to media practitioners and media groups. For a thorough discussion of selected cases, see slabbert 2011 pelj 211221. It examines the limits within which media outlets and journalists can operate. Freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly and petition are fundamental to democracy and are considered among the foundations of civilization in the united states of america, the cornerstone of speech and press law is the first amendment to the constitution. The following international treaties outline human and universal. Finally, we shall try to understand the various laws related to media in india. So far, at least, there is no consistency in their interpretations, leaving commercial speech doctrine in a state of confusion.
Required readings and supplementary materials textbook. This text explores the dynamic and potentially explosive field of media ethics from a south african perspective. For example, laws that prohibit the interception of telephone conversations without permis sion apply to journalists as much as they do to corporations. Media law media law is a branch of law that consists of a system of legal norms that regulate the activities of the mass media. Note draft press and printed press materials act of sudan refworld. Introduction to communications law communication law and ethics. Media laws and ethics are a set of rules for society, designed to protect basic rights and freedom, and to treat everyone fairly. Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization, 2nd edn. Study units ii jls 712 media law and ethics there are 21 units of six.
Federal laws were passed against fixing game shows. The branches of the media that try to live up to ethical standards include television, print communications, and the internet. Hate laws these laws prevent people from communicating publicly in a way that is racially offensive or treating others less favourably because of their race, skin colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigration status. Media ethics is the best division of applied ethics dealing with the specific ethical principles and. Laws related to the mass media have been there since the very beginning. Find the chapter in the pdf accessible through this link. Ethics are the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group or culture.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right. Feel free to use the past paper as you prepare for your upcoming examinations. Media ethics is the best division of applied ethics dealing with the specific ethical principles and standards of media, including broadcast media, film, theatre, the arts, print media and the internet. The last time a sitting president sued a newspaper for libel, laughter broke out on the floor of the us senate when a clerk read the news. In the time of the british raj, many laws related to the press were enacted. Biased reporting and outright lies in broadcasts have given the press a bad reputation. A practical guide to media law, ashley messenger pearson 2015. Social ethics include personal philosophy and practice.
Rules of professional conduct do not define ethical legal practice, which requires much more than mere rule compliance. Media ethics and law for magazine and investigative journalism. Ethics in media key principlescf301 communication ethics and rights. Laws are either made by individuals through contracts or are imposed on them by a law establishing body. Others believe the press should be objective and nonpartisan. European centre for press and media freedom pilot programme, and by a grant from the foun dation open society institute in cooperation with the program on independent journalism of the open society foundations. Apr 23, 2020 media ethics is the broad term describing the proper modes of behavior to which all branches of the modern media should attempt to adhere. Designed as a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate students of journalism, mass communication, visual communication, electronic media and other related media courses, this compact text provides a detailed description of the rules, acts and ethics concerning print, electronic, film and. Many countries have tried this method since a long time now. Ethics in mediakey principlescf301 communication ethics and rights. This class will survey the unique issues in media law and ethical challenges reporters face, exploring tools and techniques central to producing topquality work. Download media law and ethics by m neelamalar pdf online.
Notable figures include and robert hauptman who focused his work specifically on censorship, privacy, access to information, balance in collection development, fair use, and codes of ethics, rafael capurro, barbara j. A comparative introduction to media laws and ethics where media laws and the issues of ethics are derived in constitutional societie the relevance of laws s and ethics to modern journalism the differencedistinction between objective journalism and the socalled yellow journalism. It is a set of obligations to each other to enable society as whole to live in peace and harmony. Fao 2004 the ethics of sustainable agricultural intensification. Blacklisting another 1950s scandal media executives fired anyone listed as suspected communist sympathizers. The authors analysis of the south african normative context under. Media laws and ethics mcm 610 law vu lesson 01 a law is basically a body of principles or rules which are the basis of a society and are abide by the society. Preston in understanding ethics federation press 1996 at 22 suggests that. Media ethics is the broad term describing the proper modes of behavior to which all branches of the modern media should attempt to adhere.
Introducing a code of ethics is merely the first step towards effective media selfregulation. Introduction to communications law media history from. They contain most of the information from lecture along with additional information on the subjects being discussed. This course will help you understand the basic protections and restrictions of legal precedent, as well as to see and deal with the ethical problems and dilemmas journalists face. Legal ethics, rules of conduct and the moral compass. In the united states of america, the cornerstone of speech and press law is the first amendment to the constitution. Different issues arise depending upon the branch of the media in question. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. Pdf media ethics in journalism and mass communication. The field covers many varied and highly controversial topics, ranging from war journalism to benetton ad campaigns media ethics promotes and defends values such as a universal respect for. Media law, ethics, and policy in the digital age is a key resource on the challenges, opportunities, issues, controversies, and contradictions of digital technologies in relation to media law and.
Law is imposed on journalists by the government of a nation similar to how it is imposed on. Media law does not refer to a uniform body of law but is rather a collection of a variety of laws and ethical standards that influence the work of the media. The press council of indias norms of journalistic conduct. We will delve into legal restrictions and ethical restrictions. Just over a century ago, the media would have consisted.
Different issues arise depending upon the branch of the media in question, issues made more complicated by burgeoning. Media ethics and law for magazine and enterprise journalism overview. Media law is a very broad body of law that incorporates elements of and trademark law, contract law, defamation and privacy law, etc miller, 2003. Jane kirtley has been the silha professor of media ethics and law at the school of journalism and. Also, different forms of media are subject to different regu. Most scholars define ethics as a branch of philosophy which deals with the study of moral behaviour, its underlying moral principles and rational justification. The earliest regulatory measures can be traced back to 1799 when lord wellesley promulgated the press regulations, which had the effect of imposing precensorship on an infant newspaper publishing industry. Notes that because the press had a right to comment freely, fairly and. Examples are sexrelated scenes, violence and gore scenes, and some to the extent of causing racial controversy among the people. This paper will not deal in any detail with these topics. Address by chairman, press council of india on 18th january 2007 at iimc. European centre for press and media freedom pilot programme, and by a grant from the foun.
Others believe that the press should question and challenge them. The role of codes of conduct and practice of journalism and the obligations of media practitioners in the promotion of individual and collective good is explored. Summary trials follow the procedure specified in this code for the trial of. That was december 15, 1908, and president teddy roosevelt was said to be furious that the new york world newspaper would link him to corruption over the panama canal. Semester 4 journalism college, media institute in delhi. Media law and ethics school of journalism and mass.
Media law 1 some want the press to be an advocate, to champion causes, and to take po litical positions. Find institute of commercial managementicm media law and ethics previous year question paper. This includes studying how media law and ethics designed for the media in real space have been transferred to cyberspace. New forms of communication are reshaping the practice of a once parochial craft serving a local, regional or national public. Summary this course guide gives you an overview of what to expect in the. Jane kirtley has been the silha professor of media ethics and law at the school of journalism and mass com munication at the. The future of media law and ethics seems shaky as more loopholes are created. Kadir has university faculty of communications faculty of communications department of public department of new media relations and information. Media law and ethics free course by the ohio state.
Freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly and petition are fundamental to democracy and are considered among the foundations of civilization. Ethical guidelines and legislation in this area are common and many media e. Media law 3 laws of general applicabilitythat is, laws that apply to everyone but that do not single out the press for special obli gations or punishment. Also, different forms of media are subject to different regulations. But since this is mass media i guess i should talk a little about freedom of the press, but despite popular misunderstanding the right to freedom of the press guaranteed by the first amendment is not very different from the right to freedom of speech. This book is related to the basic knowledge of media laws and press code of. This is a rapidly changing and complex legal environment for journalists. The newspaper press is a great power, but just as unchained torrent of. The next important event in the field of media laws was the enactment of the press and registration of books act 25 of 1867. Many reporters use electronic equipment as part of their notetaking. Download this document for media law and ethics at bayero unversity for free and find more useful study materials for your courses. Mass media laws in india have a long history and are deeply rooted in the countrys colonial experience under british rule.
Papers must be submitted via email pdf format and in class in hard copy form. This paper seeks to analyse the role of kenyan free press in promoting democracy and the initial challenges to an unrestrained freedom of the press on account of perceptions of irresponsibility in the exercise of free speech and the role of the media in development in kenya. Communication law and ethics an opencontent course for. Media ethics and law for magazine and investigative. Teddy ordered federal attorneys to file criminal libel suits against newspapers all. Journal of media law and ethics university of baltimore. The course examines the bases of mass media law and looks at legal, social and ethical obligations of journalists and media institutions. Guide, code of ethics for media, and guide to protect women against discrimination in media and film. In nigeria, media laws are legislations made by the government in power at the federal, state, and local government levels, to control or regulate the activities of the press in a. Media law, on the one hand, regulates the principles of the dissemination of media products, and, on the other hand, it. Note on draft press and printed press materials act of sudan, article 19. Ethics comics from unkle duck and other lecture materials this series of comics is based on lectures and other sources. This cluster is designed for students interested in exploring, learning about, and getting involved in the fascinating world of freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of expression on which democracy is based.
History of press, press laws and communications, bn ahuja, surjeet publications. With the rise of modern democracy and party structure, the press became part and parcel of the civil society, while broadcasting remained closely tied to the state. Most scholars define ethics as a branch of philosophy which deals with the study of moral behaviour, its underlying moral principles and. Pdf media law, ethics and policy in the digital age. Jun, 2011 definition of media law and ethics media law can be defined as laws that regulate the acclivities of the media. Some believe that the press should respect and reflect social institutions and traditions.
Towards a gender fair media outlines the pivotal role of media as an educator and shaper of public. In the postindependence time, the various governments have enacted many more media related laws. This allows them to be flexible and to give the media 1 there are seven codes governing content standards within the media in the uk, one for the press and six for the broadcast media. Jul 11, 20 1950s quiz shows created a famous media ethics scandal when producers of twentyone gave a contestant answers and coached him to appear as if he were straining to think. Study units ii jls 712 media law and ethics there are 21 units of six modules. The operative question in media law and ethics is whether it is right to exercise the rights granted journalists and other media practitioners under the first amendment and the universal declaration of human rights. Global media ethics aims at developing a comprehensive set of principles and standards for the practice of journalism in an age of global news media. Today, news media use communication technology to gather text, video. Desjardins j 2006 business, ethics and the environment. It was formulated to support the implementation of republic act 9710, otherwise known as the magna carta of women. Welcome to the world of law and ethics as they pertain to journalism and the first amendment.
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