LWS011 Journalism Law
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LWS011 |
|---|---|
| Antirequisite(s): | LWS008 |
| Equivalent(s): | KKB175, KKB275 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $4,668 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | LWS011 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | KKB175, KKB275 |
| Anti-requisite: | LWS008 |
| Coordinator: | Muhammad Zaheer Abbas | m.abbas@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The study of law is important for journalists as they are endowed with a public responsibility to engage in sound legal and ethical practice. The public role journalists play in society means that there is a high level of scrutiny of their actions. Legal transgressions by journalists can prove costly and painful for journalists, their families, friends, colleagues and employers. Furthermore, journalists also need to have a good working understanding of the legal framework that applies to society in general, as the law will be relevant to a wide range of issues that will be reported by journalists in their professional practice. In addition, the unit seeks to foster an appreciation of the developing nature of the law through court decisions and its capacity to adapt to new circumstances, as well as providing you with the scope to appreciate the development of law through changes in policy through the intervention of parliaments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the range of laws relevant to the practice of journalism
- Identify and understand when legal advice needs to be sought
- Apply legal principles to problem scenarios relevant to the practice of journalism
- Critically evaluate the law as developed through both judicial and legislative intervention, and understand the impact this will have on professional practice
- Present legal concepts clearly and in plain English.
Content
In this unit you will be introduced to:
- the Australian legal system
- freedom of the press
- defamation
- vilification and hate speech
- open justice and contempt of court
- confidentiality, privacy and freedom of information
- the regulators
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active, collaborative and blended approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and a live tutorial where you will learn from experts and your peers. Prior to tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of weekly snapshots of unit material, podcasts delivered by experts, formative learning activities, and collaborative discussions that will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement with online materials
- Discussions in live tutorials
- Collaboration with peers to address complex legal issues embedded in hypothetical fact scenarios
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided as follows:
- Live tutorials and online materials;
- Support materials and guidance documents prepared by the teaching team;
- Individual feedback on items of assessment including through the Criteria References Assessment (CRA) form;
- Generic feedback posted and discussed on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment; and
- The option of consultation with a member of the unit's teaching team during the semester.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Real-world case study
You will investigate and respond to a recent real-world case study on a legal issue of your choice related to the unit content. Part A will be a poster summarising the context, relevant facts and applicable laws and explaining the problem (10%). Part B will be an oral presentation (8 minutes) critiquing the legislation and suggesting implications for journalistic practice, supported by a professional slide deck (30%).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be provided with a complex fact scenario, and you will be required to provide a written response to a problem style question. The question will cover a number of areas of law.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Pearson, Mark and Polden, Mark, The Journalist's Guide to Media Law (Allen & Unwin, 6th ed, 2019)
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO5, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task - Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
Relates to: ULO5, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | LWS011 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | KKB175, KKB275 |
| Anti-requisite: | LWS008 |
Overview
The study of law is important for journalists as they are endowed with a public responsibility to engage in sound legal and ethical practice. The public role journalists play in society means that there is a high level of scrutiny of their actions. Legal transgressions by journalists can prove costly and painful for journalists, their families, friends, colleagues and employers. Furthermore, journalists also need to have a good working understanding of the legal framework that applies to society in general, as the law will be relevant to a wide range of issues that will be reported by journalists in their professional practice. In addition, the unit seeks to foster an appreciation of the developing nature of the law through court decisions and its capacity to adapt to new circumstances, as well as providing you with the scope to appreciate the development of law through changes in policy through the intervention of parliaments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the range of laws relevant to the practice of journalism
- Identify and understand when legal advice needs to be sought
- Apply legal principles to problem scenarios relevant to the practice of journalism
- Critically evaluate the law as developed through both judicial and legislative intervention, and understand the impact this will have on professional practice
- Present legal concepts clearly and in plain English.
Content
In this unit you will be introduced to:
- the Australian legal system
- freedom of the press
- defamation
- vilification and hate speech
- open justice and contempt of court
- confidentiality, privacy and freedom of information
- the regulators
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active, collaborative and blended approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and a live tutorial where you will learn from experts and your peers. Prior to tutorials, you will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of weekly snapshots of unit material, podcasts delivered by experts, formative learning activities, and collaborative discussions that will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement with online materials
- Discussions in live tutorials
- Collaboration with peers to address complex legal issues embedded in hypothetical fact scenarios
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided as follows:
- Live tutorials and online materials;
- Support materials and guidance documents prepared by the teaching team;
- Individual feedback on items of assessment including through the Criteria References Assessment (CRA) form;
- Generic feedback posted and discussed on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment; and
- The option of consultation with a member of the unit's teaching team during the semester.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Real-world case study
You will investigate and respond to a recent real-world case study on a legal issue of your choice related to the unit content. Part A will be a poster summarising the context, relevant facts and applicable laws and explaining the problem (10%). Part B will be an oral presentation (8 minutes) critiquing the legislation and suggesting implications for journalistic practice, supported by a professional slide deck (30%).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be provided with a complex fact scenario, and you will be required to provide a written response to a problem style question. The question will cover a number of areas of law.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Pearson, Mark and Polden, Mark, The Journalist's Guide to Media Law (Allen & Unwin, 6th ed, 2019)
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO5, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task - Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
Relates to: ULO5, Real-world case study, Problem Solving Task