Details
The only media law book on the market accredited by the NCTJ, McNae's is the essential guide for journalism students and industry professionals. This indispensable handbook prevails as journalism's foremost authority on media law since its inception in 1954.
- Authors' combined expertise in media reporting and teaching offers clear, succinct, and accurate detail on core legal issues
- Published in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists and designed to complement accredited syllabi. This text is also recommended for a broad range of media qualifications.
- Includes a range of features, such as tips on reporting, need-to-know points, and cross references that explore how different elements of the law interact with each other
- Online resources accompany the book, including self-test questions to help students test their understanding, online chapters and additional reading material
- Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support
Part 1: The Landscape of Law, Ethics and Regulation
1: Introduction
2: Press regulation
3: Broadcast regulation
Part 2: Crime, Courts and Tribunals
4: Crime: media coverage prior to any court case
5: Crimes: categories and definitions
6: Magistrates courts: summary cases
7: Magistrates courts: the most serious criminal cases
8: Crown courts and appeal courts
9: Juveniles in criminal and anti-social behaviour cases
10: Sexual offences
11: Court reporting - other restrictions
12: Civil courts
13: Family courts
14: Open justice and access to court information
15: Challenging the courts
16: Coroners courts
17: Tribunals and public inquiries
18: Contempt of court
Part 3: Defamation and Related Law
19: Defamation - definitions and dangers
20: The claimant and what must be proved
21: Defences
22: The public interest defence
23: The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
24: Slander, malicious falsehood and obscenity
Part 4: Confidentiality, Privacy and Copyright
25: Breach of confidence
26: Privacy
27: News-gathering avoiding intrusion
28: Data protection
29: Copyright
Part 5: Information and Expression
30: Freedom of Information Act 2000
31: Other information rights and access to meetings
32: Reporting elections
33: Official secrets
34: The journalist's sources and neutrality
35: The risks of being charged with bribery, misconduct, hacking or intercepting
36: The right to take photographs, film and record
37: Northern Ireland
Part 6: Online Chapters
38: The incitement of hate
39: Scotland
40: Terrorism and the effect of counter-terrorism law
Mike Dodd is the Press Association's legal editor and member of the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board. He is a qualified lawyer with nearly 40 years' experience as a working journalist.
Mark Hanna is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield and Chair of the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board.
Review(s) from previous edition
"This is the law book that's essential for any journalist. It cuts through the legal waffle and is a vital reference tool whether you work in print, broadcast or digital media. - Andy Cairns. Executive Editor. Sky Sports News
"McNae's Essential Law for Journalists has deservedly become an institution in its own right." - Lord Hunt of Wirral, Chair of the Press Complaints Commission
"In a rapidly changing media environment McNae's remains the definitive guide to all aspects of media law and is still an indespensable resource for every newsroom and journalism student." - Amanda Ball, NCTJ Principal Examiner, Senior Lecturer in Media Law, Nottingham Trent University
