Media Law And Ethics

1. Define law and ethics and understand their purpose in society.
2. Understand the important theories of ethics.
3. Know the essential media laws in Nigeria.
4. Know the code of ethics of the Nigerian Press Organization (NPO).
5. Know the defenses open to a journalist in the event of litigation.
6. Know the cardinal journalistic principles or canons of journalism.
7. Be acquainted with some ethical case studies in Nigerian journalism.

13 weeks, about 26 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 · 2 hours

     Define law and differentiate between natural and man-made laws.. Discuss the divisions of man-made laws and their implications.. Analyze the purpose of law in regulating human conduct and reconciling individual and community interests..

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

   • Unit 2: The Essence and Purpose of Ethics · 2 hours

     Define ethics and differentiate it from morality.. Discuss the values essential to ethical life, such as honesty, integrity, and fairness.. Explain why people should lead ethical lives and the consequences of unethical behavior..

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

   • Unit 3: Theories of Ethics · 2 hours

     Define teleological and deontological ethical theories.. Compare and contrast utilitarianism, egoism, and pragmatism.. Discuss divine command theory, Kant's duty ethics, and natural law theory..

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

   • Unit 4: The Regulation of the Mass Media · 2 hours

     Understand the reasons for regulating the mass media.. Define media laws and ethical guidelines.. Discuss the formal regulatory mechanisms of the mass media, including constitutional provisions and statutes..

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

   • Unit 1: Press Freedom: History, Definitions and Legal bases · 2 hours

     Trace the history of press freedom in the ancient world, Old England, and Nigeria.. Define press freedom and understand its legal bases.. Identify the major constraints to press freedom in Nigeria..

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

   • Unit 2: Public Officers, Public Figures, National Interest and Public Interest · 2 hours

     Differentiate between a public officer and a public figure.. Define national interest and public interest.. Discuss the media's role in monitoring public officers and serving the public interest..

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 · 2 hours

     Understand the media's relevance to the political, cultural, and economic realms.. Identify the constitutional duties of the Nigerian media.. Discuss the constitutional provisions regarding media ownership and the reasons for special licensing of broadcast media..

8. Week 8Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

   • Unit 1: Defamation and its Essentials · 2 hours

     Define defamation and criminal defamation.. Understand the purpose of the law of defamation.. Identify the essentials of defamation, including publication, malice, and damage..

9. Week 9Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

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

     Differentiate between libel and slander.. Identify instances where slander is actionable per se.. Understand what constitutes vulgar abuse and its legal implications..

10. Week 10Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

    • Unit 3: Defences to Defamation · 2 hours

      Identify the defenses to defamation, including justification, fair comment, and privilege.. Understand the remedies for defamation, such as damages and injunction.. Discuss the implications of consent to publication and innocent dissemination..

11. Week 11Module 3: The Universal Press Laws

    • Unit 4: Sedition · 2 hours

      Define sedition and understand its important aspects.. Discuss the relevance of the law of sedition in a democratic dispensation.. Understand the constitutional basis of the law of sedition..

12. Week 12Module 4: Copyright, Contempt and the Issue of National Security

    • Unit 1: Copyright: Piracy and Plagiarism · 2 hours

      Define copyright and understand its purpose.. Identify the works eligible for copyright, including literary, musical, and artistic works.. Discuss the duration of copyright and the concept of fair use..

13. Week 13Module 4: Copyright, Contempt and the Issue of National Security

    • Unit 2: Contempt of Court and Contempt of Parliament · 2 hours

      Define contempt of court and contempt of parliament.. Identify ways in which journalists can commit contempt.. Discuss the limitations on parliament's power to punish journalists..