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JLS712Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Media Law & Ethics

This course explores the legal and ethical frameworks governing media practice. It examines the purpose of law and ethics in society, press freedom, and constitutional obligations of the Nigerian media. Key topics include defamation, copyright, contempt, national security, and the canons of journalism. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of media law and ethics to promote responsible and ethical journalism.

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208h

Study Time

13

Weeks

16h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

Media LawEthicsDefamationPress FreedomJournalism

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

📖

Learning Type

Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Law and Ethics

2

Press Freedom

3

Defamation

4

Copyright

5

Contempt of Court

6

National Security

7

Canons of Journalism

Total Topics7 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Journalist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Media Lawyer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Public Relations Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Communication Specialist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

NewspapersMagazinesRadioTelevisionOnline MediaPublic RelationsAdvertising

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

4h

Unit 1: The Meaning and Purpose of Law

4 study hours

•Understand the differences between natural and man-made laws.
•Study the divisions of man-made laws: civil and criminal law.
•Discuss the functions of law in society: regulation, reconciliation, protection.

Week

2

Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

4h

Unit 2: Essence and Purpose of Ethics

4 study hours

•Define ethics and morality, and understand their differences.
•Identify values essential to ethical life: honesty, integrity, fairness.
•Discuss reasons for leading moral lives: societal expectations, personal harmony.

Week

3

Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

4h

Unit 3: Theories of Ethics

4 study hours

•Examine teleological ethical theories: utilitarianism, egoism, pragmatism.
•Explore deontological ethical theories: divine command, Kant's duty ethics, natural law.
•Differentiate between ethical universalism, relativism, objectivism, and subjectivism.

Week

4

Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

4h

Unit 4: The Regulation of the Mass Media

4 study hours

•Understand the reasons for regulating the mass media.
•Define media laws and their components: constitutional provisions, statutes, ethical guidelines.
•Explore the concept of media ethics and its importance in professional conduct.

Week

5

Module 2: Press Freedom and the Constitutional Obligations of the Nigerian Mass Media

4h

Unit 1: Press Freedom: History, Definitions and Legal Bases

4 study hours

•Trace the history of press freedom in the ancient world, old England, and Nigeria.
•Define press freedom and its legal bases in Nigeria.
•Identify constraints to press freedom: libel, sedition, copyright.

Week

6

Module 2: Press Freedom and the Constitutional Obligations of the Nigerian Mass Media

4h

Unit 2: Public Officers, Public Figures, The National Interest And The Public Interest

4 study hours

•Differentiate between public officers and public figures.
•Understand the concepts of national interest and public interest.
•Analyze the relationship between public officers, public figures, national interest, public interest, and the media.

Week

7

Module 2: Press Freedom and the Constitutional Obligations of the Nigerian Mass Media

4h

Unit 3: Constitutional Provisions on the Obligations and Ownership of the Mass Media in Nigeria

4 study hours

•Examine the media's relevance to the political, cultural, and economic realms.
•Understand the constitutional duty of the Nigerian media.
•Analyze constitutional provisions on the obligations and ownership of the mass media in Nigeria.

Week

8

Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

4h

Unit 1: Defamation and its Essentials

4 study hours

•Define defamation and its essentials: publication, malice, damage.
•Understand criminal defamation and its implications.
•Identify the purpose of the law of defamation: protecting reputation.

Week

9

Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

4h

Unit 2: Classes of Defamation: Slander and Libel

4 study hours

•Differentiate between libel and slander.
•Understand the conditions for libel and slander.
•Define and explain vulgar abuse and its legal implications.

Week

10

Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

4h

Unit 3: Defences to Defamation

4 study hours

•Identify defenses to defamation: justification, fair comment, privilege.
•Understand the conditions for fair comment and privilege.
•Explore remedies for defamation: damages, injunction, retraction.

Week

11

Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

4h

Unit 4: Sedition

4 study hours

•Define sedition and its important aspects: seditious conspiracy, libel, speech.
•Understand the constitutional basis of the law of sedition.
•Discuss the relevance of the law of sedition in a democratic dispensation.

Week

12

Module 4: Copyright, Contempt National Security And The Official Secrets Act

8h

Unit 1: Copyright: Piracy and Plagiarism

4 study hours

•Define copyright and its purpose.
•Identify works eligible for copyright: literary, musical, artistic.
•Understand the duration of copyright and fair usage principles.

Unit 2: Contempt of Court and Contempt of Parliament

4 study hours

•Differentiate between piracy and plagiarism.
•Understand the remedies for copyright violation: damages, injunction, delivery up.

Week

13

Module 4: Copyright, Contempt National Security And The Official Secrets Act

8h

Unit 3: National Security and the Media

4 study hours

•Define national security and its various interpretations.
•Analyze the traditional roles of the media and government activities that may undermine national security.
•Understand the roles of government and the media in protecting national security.

Unit 4: The Official Secrets Act

4 study hours

•Understand the essence and purpose of the Official Secrets Act.
•Explore other laws that seek to protect government secrets.
•Analyze the relationship between the Official Secrets Act and the Freedom of Information Bill.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed summaries of key legal concepts from Units 1-4 in Modules 3 and 4.

2

Develop case studies applying defamation and copyright laws to hypothetical media scenarios.

3

Practice analyzing ethical dilemmas using the canons of journalism from Module 5.

4

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their feedback thoroughly.

5

Focus on understanding the constitutional provisions related to press freedom in Nigeria (Module 2).

6

Prepare concise definitions of key terms like 'defamation', 'sedition', 'contempt', and 'copyright'.

7

Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 ethical problems, mechanisms, and case studies.

8

Practice applying the principles of fairness and objectivity to news reporting examples.

9

Review the historical context of press laws in Nigeria from colonial times to the present.

10

Prepare arguments for and against the law of sedition in a democratic society.

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