Affectionately known simply as McNae's, this book prevails as journalism's most succinct authority on media law since its inception in 1954.
The new edition captures the essence of this hotly debated and evolving area of law. The authors' expertise in media reporting and teaching ensures McNae's is accessible for students and journalists, giving you the essentials and encouraging intellectual acuity as the complexities of the law are laid bare.
McNae's practical approach includes features that highlight important information, such as case detail, need-to-know points, and cross references that explore how different elements of the law interact with each other.
Published in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists, McNae's is an indispensable media law guide that imbues confidence in students and supports and assures journalists undertaking their everyday work.
Digital formats and resourcesThe twenty-sixth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported with online resources.- The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks- Comprehensive online resources accompany the text. Visit www.mcnaes.com to access new self-test questions with feedback to solidify students' understanding, regular updates from the authors to keep readers abreast of the law, and additional material on important topics within the book.
Part 1: The Landscape of Law, Ethics and Regulation 1: Introduction 2: Press regulation 3: Broadcast regulation 4: Journalism avoiding unjustified intrusion Part 2: Crime, Courts and Tribunals 5: Crime - media coverage prior to any court case 6: Crimes - categories and definitions 7: Magistrates' courts - summary cases 8: Magistrates' courts - the most serious criminal cases 9: Crown courts and appeal courts 10: Children and young persons in court cases 11: Anonymity for victims and alleged victims of sexual offences, human trafficking, female genital mutilation and forced marriage offences 12: Court reporting - other restrictions 13: Civil courts 14: Family courts 15: Open justice and access to court information 16: Challenging in the courts 17: Coroners' courts 18: Tribunals and public inquiries 19: Contempt of court Part 3: Defamation and Related Law 20: Defamation - definitions and dangers 21: Who can sue for defamation and what they must prove 22: Defamation defences 23: The public interest defence 24: The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 25: Slander and malicious falsehood Part 4: Confidentiality, Privacy and Copyright 26: Breach of confidence 27: Privacy 28: Data protection 29: Copyright Part 5: Information and Expression 30: Readers' postings 31: Reporting elections 32: Official secrets 33: The journalist's sources and neutrality 34: The risks of being charged with bribery, misconduct, hacking or intercepting 35: The right to take photographs, film and record Part 6: Online Chapters 36: Media law in Northern Ireland 37: The Freedom of Information Act 2000 38: Other information rights and access to meetings 39: Boundaries to expression - hate and obscenity 40: Terrorism and the effect of counter-terrorism law 41: Media law in Scotland
Sian Harrison is the Law Editor of PA Media (formerly the Press Association) and a member of the NCTJ's Media Law Examinations Board. She is an experienced journalist and court reporter and has been based at the Royal Courts of Justice since 2010. Mark Hanna is the Senior Examiner of the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board, and an Emeritus Fellow of the Sheffield University's Journalism Studies department. Mark is the recipient of the NCTJ's Chairman's award for his outstanding contribution to journalism education. He was an award-winning crime and investigations reporter.
Reviews for McNae's Essential Law for Journalists
I have not come across any other book that covers this ground in such a focused and authoritative way. It is called 'the bible' for a reason. * Professor Marie Kinsey, Emeritus Professor of Journalism Education, University of Sheffield * It is difficult to imagine teaching media law without daily reference to McNae's. It is comprehensive, authoritative, and the go-to reference book of the industry, making it invaluable to journalism students. * Dave Porter, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Manchester Metropolitan * McNaes has provided legal knowledge for generations of reporters and continues to do so. It is essential reading for anyone who needs to know the legal parameters within which journalists must operate. * John Battle, Head of Legal and Compliance at ITN * Important detail is clearly signposted. The law is explained with clarity in a way that is relevant to journalists. Legal jargon is explained. It is equally relevant to students and working journalists. McNaes gets it right, and in truth I'd be lost without it, and so would my students. * Karen Nicholson, Senior Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University *
