Media Law & Ethics

1. Understand the legal and ethical frameworks governing media practice.
2. Analyze the constitutional obligations of the Nigerian media.
3. Apply the principles of defamation, copyright, and contempt in media contexts.
4. Evaluate the ethical implications of national security concerns for media freedom.
5. Adhere to the canons of journalism: truth, fairness, objectivity, and responsibility.

13 weeks, about 60 hours in total. Yours will differ.

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

   • Unit 1: The Meaning and Purpose of Law · 4 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

   • Unit 2: Essence and Purpose of Ethics · 4 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..

3. Week 3Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

   • Unit 3: Theories of Ethics · 4 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..

4. Week 4Module 1: The Purpose of Law and Ethics in the Society

   • Unit 4: The Regulation of the Mass Media · 4 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..

5. Week 5Module 2: Press Freedom and the Constitutional Obligations of the Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 1: Press Freedom: History, Definitions and Legal Bases · 4 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..

6. Week 6Module 2: Press Freedom and the Constitutional Obligations of the Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 2: Public Officers, Public Figures, The National Interest And The Public Interest · 4 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..

7. Week 7Module 2: Press Freedom and the Constitutional Obligations of the Nigerian Mass Media

   • Unit 3: Constitutional Provisions on the Obligations and Ownership of the Mass Media in Nigeria · 4 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..

8. Week 8Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

   • Unit 1: Defamation and its Essentials · 4 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..

9. Week 9Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

   • Unit 2: Classes of Defamation: Slander and Libel · 4 hours

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

10. Week 10Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

    • Unit 3: Defences to Defamation · 4 hours

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

11. Week 11Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

    • Unit 4: Sedition · 4 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..

12. Week 12Module 4: Copyright, Contempt National Security And The Official Secrets Act

    • Unit 1: Copyright: Piracy and Plagiarism · 4 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 hours

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

13. Week 13Module 4: Copyright, Contempt National Security And The Official Secrets Act

    • Unit 3: National Security and the Media · 4 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 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..