57232 Media Law and Accountability

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

Description

This subject examines the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern free speech and public communication. It covers journalism, media arts and production, advertising, public relations, corporate, marketing, government and political communication and the internet. Students become familiar with restrictions as well as rights and defences in relation to various forms of public communication. They critically examine proposals to introduce new and stricter laws in relation to media and the internet as well as rights and ethical issues in relation to privacy, data collection and use, freedom of information, defamation, and copyright in a digitally networked society. Case studies and reports of recent government inquiries are examined and students reflect on and discuss how issues such as privacy and freedom of information can be managed in ethical ways, while maintaining freedom of speech and an open democratic society.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

• Possess an advanced understanding of the professional skills and techniques in a range of contexts appropriate to contemporary journalism practice (1.1)
• Apply a high level of initiative to create content using multiple techniques and within industry accepted frameworks of accountability (1.2)
• Reflect critically on the theory and professional practice of contemporary journalism (2.2)
• Understand how journalism practice can advance story-telling, understanding and cohesion within and across Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities (4.1)
• Demonstrate advanced skills in engagement to enable effective communication with multiple stakeholders, using traditional and emerging techniques (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject integrates legal concepts, practical skills and scholarly literature. Teaching strategies will incorporate interactive, collaborative learning through the use of online platforms and active learning activities in class time. The program will differ according to each week but it will broadly involve lectures, collaborative problem solving, reading, independent research in online and face-to-face contexts, pre-class online discussions, online polls, formative quizzes and peer-learning activities. Through these learning strategies, students will develop an understanding of the basics of media law in both a theoretical and practical sense.

Content (topics)

This subject will introduce students to the basics of media law, paying specific attention to defamation law, copyright law, privacy law and contempt. In addition to the core elements of media law, the subject will address whistleblowing, leaks, censorship and the role and function of free expression in a democratic society. The subject also explores broader concerns around the impact of technology on professional communications practice, discussing contemporary issues such as algorithmic transparency, fake news and content diversity.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Short Project

Assessment task 2: Short Test

Assessment task 3: Essay

Minimum requirements

Submission of assessment tasks

In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments must be submitted in order for students to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.

Attendance

Attendance at classes is essential in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. An attendance roll will be taken at each class. Where possible, students should advise the tutor in a timely manner if they are unable to attend. Students must attend a minimum of 9 of 11 classes, or a minimum equivalent of 80% of their contact hours (see additional information for additional details). Students who fail to meet this attendance requirement will, in the case of an individual final assessment task, be refused the marking of their final assessment; or, in the case of a group/team final assessment task, be penalised 20% of their earned overall mark for the subject.

Recommended texts

Pearson, M. & Polden, M. 2019, The Journalist's Guide to Media Law: A Handbook for Communicators in a Digital World. Allen and Unwin, Sydney.

Pearson, M. 2024, The Communicator's Guide to Media Law and Ethics: A Handbook for Australian Professionals. Routledge, New York.

The latter is the new version of the former, but it doesn't include all the content the former does. UTS Library has digital copies of both, and also has hard copies of the former. The publisher has shared a discount code for anyone who wants to buy a copy of the new one.

References

Roderick, S., Clift, B., Ireland, J. & Power, L. 2021, Australian Media Law, 6th edn, Thomson Reuters Australia, Sydney. [Available via the Library, and via the Reading List tab].

Molitorisz, S. 2020, Net Privacy: How we can be free in an age of surveillance, NewSouth Books, Sydney. [Available via the Library, and via the Reading List tab].

Rolph, D. et al. 2022, Media Law: Cases, Materials and Commentary 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Oxford