Module manager: John Sinclair
Email: J.Sinclair@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces students to key concepts in media law and the way in which journalists report within legal and regulatory constraints. It provides students with further practice in news production – reporting stories which have a legal or ethical dimension. During the module students will attend a visit to a law court to observe the legal system in action.
This module builds on the Introduction to Journalism Studies module and introduces students to key concepts in media law. Through lectures, seminars, workshops and a court visit, students will learn how to report news stories within legal and regulatory constraints. Students will also understand the role of regulatory bodies.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Define and explain key elements of law and regulation relevant to the practice of journalism.
2. Apply knowledge of relevant media law and regulation in the production of news reports.
3. Structure news reports to optimise an audience’s comprehension of key facts.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Apply commonly held editorial standards in reporting newsworthy elements of legal proceedings.
5. Use written English concisely, accurately and in a mode appropriate to a defined news format.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Practical | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 170 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The hands on approach to teaching on the module provides students with frequent opportunities for formative feedback in terms of their legal reporting and research skills. Students will have the opportunity to sit a ‘mock’ law exam in their workshop classes and will be provided with feedback on this in time to support their preparation for the exam. Students will also receive formative feedback on practice law reports completed in-class.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Unseen Practical exam (S2) | 2.0 Hrs 30 Mins | 50 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1.0 Hrs 30 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 12/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team