McNae's Essential Law for Journalists

• Endorsed by the National Council for the Training of Journalists as the essential text for students on journalism courses.
• The definitive guide for journalists and journalism students, providing an unrivalled level of practical detail, accuracy and ease of use.
• Provides journalists with practical guidance and tools to secure the information they need to report accurately while minimising exposure to actions such as libel.
• Features up-to-date case studies and examples supported by accessible commentary.
• New coverage of online media issues, including case studies and practical tips for avoiding contempt.
• Provides journalists with the tools and confidence they need to effectively challenge the courts and public bodies, secure information and minimize their exposure to actions such as libel.
• Includes a glossary, key point summaries, cross-references and at-a-glance tips to aid navigation and ease of use.
• Accompanied by a new website that provides updates, downloadable resources, multiple choice questions, further reading, web links and chapter-related questions.

New to this edition

• New case studies and examples on topics, including filming and photographing the public and undercover work
• New coverage of broadcast regulation in line with NCTJ syllabus.
• Commentary on privacy and the media, including on injunctions and phone-hacking
• New guidance on journalists' use of social media and on copyright
• Coverage of online issues, including the danger of influencing jurors
• At-a-glance summaries of essential points, including on libel and court reporting
• Practical tips on observing ethics and the law

Readership: Essential reading for students on journalism and media courses, as well as practising journalists and editors.

Mark Hanna, Senior Lecturer, University of Sheffield and Chair of the NCTJ Media Law Law Examinations Board, and Mike Dodd, Legal Editor, Press Association

Mark Hanna is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, and Chair of the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board.

Mike Dodd is the Press Association's legal advisor. He is a qualified lawyer with nearly 40 years' experience as a working journalist.

Intro Section: UK media law landscape, regulation and ethics
1: Introduction
2: PCC System
3: Broadcast regulation
Part 1: 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: Criminal cases in the Crown courts and appeal courts
9: Juveniles in criminal, ASBO, and drink ban proceedings
10: Sexual offences
11: Other court reporting 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 2: Defamation and related law
19: Defamation
20: What the claimant must prove
21: Defences
22: The Reynolds defence
23: The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
24: Malicious falsehoods
Part 3: Confidentiality, privacy and copyright
25: Breach of confidence
26: Privacy incl. children and privacy - amalgamated
27: The Data Protection Act 1998
28: Copyright
Part 4: Information and expression: rights, sources, and boundaries
29: Freedom of Information Act 2000
30: Other information rights and access to meetings
31: Reporting elections
32: Official secrets
33: The journalist's sources
34: Terrorism and the effect of counter-terrorism law
35: The incitement of hate
Part 5: Photography, filming and videoing
36: Photography, filming and videoing
Part 6: Northern Ireland and Scotland
37: Northern Ireland
38: Scotland
Appendix 1: Extracts from the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Appendix 2: The Press Complaints Commission Editors' Code of Practice
Appendix 3: OfCom Code

McNae's online - for additional resources and more information about the book
Lord Hunt of Wirral on McNae's Essential Law for Journalists