Legal and Ethical Issues in Media Practice of Australia Discussion

2021 Lecture & Reading Guide 2021 Lecture & Reading Guide ………………………………………………………………………1 Week 1 Introduction and Course Overview …………………………………………………………2 Week 2 Introduction to Ethics I: Virtue & Duty Ethics ………………………………………..2 Week 3 Introduction to Ethics II: Utilitarian & (Post) Modern Ethics ……………………..3 Week 4 The Public Interest & Media Ethics ………………………………………………………..5 Week 5 Regulation of Media I (Freedom vs Regulation of the Media; Responsibility and Accountability) ………………………………………………………………………………………..5 Week 6 Regulation of Media (Codes of Ethics & Codes of Practice) ……………………….7 Week 7 -Guest Lecture -“Reforming Australian television content regulation: Implications for Australia’s public service media” ……………………………………………. 7 Week 8 Privacy, (The right to privacy; Information & News Gathering, Confidentiality; Surveillance & Data-matching) ………………………………………………………………………..8 Week 9 Defamation – General Principles …………………………………………………………….9 Week 10 Vilification, Racism, Pornography, Violence, Censorship ………………………………. 10 Week 11 Copyright, Moral Rights and Creativity……………………………………………….. 11 Week 12 Commercial Media Cultures; Objectivity as an ethical perspective ……………. 12 A note about the readings: This Lecture & Reading Guide provides an overview of some of the key issues in each lecture. Required Readings can be found in the textbook Dwyer. T (2012), Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media, Palgrave Macmillan (available for purchase from the Co-Op Bookshop). Additional and supplementary readings can be found ‘links in this Guide ‘Useful Resource and Links document (available on Canvas under Module/Additional Resources Supplementary Readings are made available for you to pursue different areas of interest either in your assessment tasks or in your own independent learning. In addition, some week’s lecture PowerPoints have additional links to current material of interest. Issues for consideration each week are designed to help you focus your reading and prepare for the week’s lecture. We have also provided a ‘Basics’ framework or summary of key points for some topics. Additional topical readings may be added each week to the Module or Additional Resources to supplement areas of interest and current issues under consideration. A Note about Media Content 1 Please be aware that many of the media stories and issues we cover raise issues or topics that involve sex/obscenity, violence, politics and other themes that can be challenging for some people. Week 1 Introduction and Course Overview Preparation: Please read the Unit of Study Outline and peruse this Lecture & Reading Guide. Familiarise yourself with the e-learning environment on Canvas, the range of materials, and look at the assessment requirements. Read the required reading and consider current media stories that raise legal and/or ethical issues. Issues to consider/for discussion: Introduction to objectives, methods, requirements & assessments for this Unit of Study This week we will look at what the subject covers and start to formulate questions for exploring this subject. ‘Why study media law and ethics? ‘What are the major legal and ethical issues confronting the media? What are the arguments for and against regulating the media and communications? Should different parts or kinds of media / communications be subject to different standards, ethics or regulation? What different interests need to be balanced? This week we will also take an overview of the Australian legal system (& briefly compare to other legal systems). We will look at the sources & kinds of law & regulation, the relationship between courts and the media (in particular the role of the media), and specific legal issues arising from the reporting of courts. Required Reading: ‘Dwyer, T. (2012) Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media Palgrave Macmillan, London Chapter 1, Introduction [Textbook] ‘Phillips, A., Couldry, N., and Freedman, D. (2010) An Ethical Deficit? Accountability, Norms, and the Material Conditions of Contemporary Journalism’ in Fenton, N.(ed) New Media, Old News. London, UK. Sage. Ch. 3.pp. 51-67. [eReserve] Supplementary Reading ‘For more on the Australian Legal System: Pearson, Pearson, M. & Polden, M (2019), The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law, 6th ed., pp. 6475, 99-115; 134-163; 191-208 ‘Spigelmen, J J(2006) The Principles of Open Justice UNSWLawJ 19 [eReserve] ‘Viner (2016) How Technology disrupted the truth; The Guardian, 12 July 2016 https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology-disrupted-the-truth ‘Simmons, M. (2017) Does Journalism still matter https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/may/29/trump-fake-news-and-shrinkingnewsrooms-does-journalism-still-matter-in-2017 Week 2 Introduction to Ethics I: Virtue & Duty Ethics 2 Issues to consider: Our discussion of legal and ethical forms of reasoning will contribute to your basic legal literacy and capacity to draw on ethical theories as well as highlight situations in which ethics might be a special issue in relation to legal processes. In making ethical decisions or considering what is ethical’ we first explore what are ethics’ and how do we judge whether something is good/bad or right/wrong? In Lectures 3 and 4 we examine some of the major Western ethical perspectives that underpin ethical reasoning. In Lecture 3 the philosophies of Aristotle and Kant (often referred to as Virtue Ethics and Duty Ethics) provide important frameworks for ethical deliberation. In preparing for this lecture consider: What are ‘ethics’ and how are they developed? What are some of the key ethical issues for journalists and other media & communication practitioners, and the media as an industry, and how should we address these issues? What are some of the principle ethical frameworks and how can they inform our practice? How can we develop our own ethical practice and ethical toolbox’? How is good’ or happiness’ defined or determined by each of the philosophers? What is the role of judgment’ for each of the philosophers? Is the outcome or the process of reasoning more important in ethical deliberation? How important is an understanding of your ‘role’ to ethics? What is the role of the media and media practitioners? Can we apply Kant’s humanity principle’ in media practice? Required Reading: ‘Dwyer, T. Chapter 2012 Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media, Chapter 2: Legal Ethical and Media Systems [Textbook] ‘Sanders, Karen (2003), Ethics and Journalism [excerpt], London, Sage, pp. 14-16, 18-20. [eReserve] ‘Aristotle, The Nichomachean Ethics, Thomson, JAK, 2004 (Transl) London, Penguin Books [eReserve] ‘Kant, E. (1909) Of the Metaphysical Morals’ Kant’s critique of Practical Reason, 6th Ed Kinsmill T (transl) London Longmans Green & Co pp. 910, 3843, 4649. [eReserve] ‘Black, J 2008, An informal Agenda for Media Ethicists, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 23, 1, 25-35 [eReserve] Week 3 Introduction to Ethics II: Utilitarian & (Post) Modern Ethics In Lecture 3 we explore Mill (Utilitarianism) and Foucault (Post Modern approaches) and how all 4 ethical approaches can be used in ethical decision making models. We also consider moral relativism -are all approaches to ethics equally valuable? 1. Media Practice usually has multiple consequences. Is utilitarianism the best approach through which to address this issue? What are some of the challenges in using a consequentialist approach? 2. What are the ethical implications of using deception or ambush or illegal/unethical methods in investigative newsgathering? Do the ends always or ever justify the means? 3. If responsibility means being held to account for consequences – which consequences should we be accountable for – actual or possible or probable consequences? Consider the case of 2 Day FM and the Royal Prank’ which ended in the suicide of one of the victims of the prank call -to what extent should the radio announcers be held accountable for her death? http://news.sky.com/story/1022287/kate-prank-call-nurse-commits-suicide 3 4. What is the ethical goal for Foucault? Is it to be Good? Is he of use when solving ethical dilemmas in the media? Required Reading: ‘Mill, J.S (1976), What utilitarianism is’, John Stuart Mill on Politics and Society, ed. Geraint L. Williams, New York, International Publication Service, pp. 116-142. [eReserve] ‘Foucault, M. (2000), On the genealogy of ethics: An overview of work in progress’ [excerpt], in Michel Foucault, Ethics: Subjectivity and Truth, Paul Rabinow (ed.), London, Penguin Books, pp. 253-271. [eReserve] ‘Graham, G (2004), Eight Theories of Ethics, London: Routledge. [eReserve]] ‘Elliot, Deni (2007) Getting Mill Right Journal of Mass Media Ethics: Exploring Questions of Media Morality, 22:2-3, 100-112, [eReserve] Supplementary Reading ‘Quinn (2007) Moral virtue for Journalists, Journal of Mass Media Ethics: Exploring Questions of Media Morality, 22:2-3, 168-186 [eReserve] ‘Spence, E. & Quinn, A. (2010) Information Ethics as a Guide for New Media, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 23: 4, 264 279 [eReserve] ‘Christians C et al (2000) Media Ethics Cases and Moral Reasoning chapter 1 (good explanation of the Potter Box) [eReserve] ‘Beyond the Potter Box: Swain https://www.academia.edu/2766204/Beyond_the_Potter_Box_A_Decision_Model_Based _on_Moral_Development_Theory [eReserve] ‘Black, J. 2008, An informal Agenda for Media Ethicists, Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 23, 1, 25-35 (eR on Canvas) ‘Cohen, Stephen (2004), The Nature of Moral Reasoning, Oxford, Oxford UP, pp. 5772. (Fisher reserve) ‘Swain, Kristie Alley 1994 Beyond the Potter Box: A decision model based on Moral Development Theory’, Paper presented to Media Ethics Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) http://www.academia.edu/2766204/Beyond_the_Potter_Box_A_Decision_Model_Based_ on_Moral_Development_Theory ‘The Ethics Centre http://www.ethics.org.au/category/articles-subjects/media-journalism ‘Velasquez, M, Moberg et al 1988, ‘A Framework for thinking ethically,’ Markula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/framework.html ‘Bivens, Tom Mixed Media: Moral Distinctions in Advertising, Public Relations, and Journalism http://www.tandfebooks.com/doi/abs/10.4324/9780203874882?isOnline=true ‘Klaidman, S and Beauchamp, T L 1987, The Virtuous Journalist, New York: Oxford University Press. (Fisher Reserve) ‘Ward, S. 2010, Global Journalism Ethics McGill- Queen’s University Press. 296 http://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/resources/global-media-ethics/ ‘Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy http://plato.stanford.edu/ ‘http://www.ethics.org.au/about-ethics/ethics-centre-articles/ethics-subjects/journalismand-media/article-0134.html 4 Week 4 The Public Interest & Media Ethics The public interest’ is a concept used to defend media practices and as a rationale for regulating or not regulating media in different contexts. ‘The public interest’ is a frequently invoked justification for media practices and heard in discourse concerning media roles; performance and ethics. It also forms a key mediating concept in media law and media ethics, and it is an extremely elastic term, often poorly defined, and easily confused with what interests the public’ rather than a public good’ per se. Our discussion of the public interest’ will contribute to your legal literacy and understanding issues facing professional communicators. By more carefully articulating what is at stake, we better understand where the public interest’ lies in different scenarios. We re-visit this concept throughout semester. Required Reading: ‘Dwyer, T (2012) Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media Chapter 6 Media Law, Policy and the Public Interest [Textbook] ‘McQuail, D. (1992), The public interest in communication’, Media Performance: Mass Communication and the Public Interest, London, Sage, 2033. [eReserve] ‘Dennis, E and Merrill J. (1984), People’s right to know’, Basic Issues in Mass Communication: A Debate, New York, Macmillan, 3144. [eReserve] ‘Beecher, E. (2005) “The Decline of the Quality Press,” in Manne, R (Ed), Do Not Disturb, Melbourne: Black Inc. Agenda, pp. 7-27. [eReserve] Supplementary Reading: ‘Siebert et al (1956) Four Theories of the Press, University of Illinois Press (extract) [eReserve] ‘Merrill, J. C. (2002) Four Theories of the Press: four and half decades on, Journalism Studies Vol 3 No1 pp133-136 [eReserve] ‘Fenton & Witschge (2011) ‘Comment is free, facts are sacred’: Journalistic ethics in a changing mediascape. In: G Meikle &G Redden, eds. News online: transformations & continuities. London: Palgrave, pp. 148-164. [eReserve] ‘Australian Senate (2018) Report of the Inquiry into Public Interest Journalism https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Future_of_Public_I nterest_Journalism/PublicInterestJournalism/Report ‘Hodges, Louis W. (1986), Defining press responsibility: A functional approach’, in Deni Elliot (ed.), Responsible Journalism, Beverly Hills, Sage, pp. 1331. [eReserve] Week 5 Regulation of Media I (Freedom vs Regulation of the Media; Responsibility and Accountability) Consider the Current debates surrounding Regulation of the Media. This week we consider some of the central concerns about why and how the media is regulated. To some extent media systems mirror legal and political systems and we explore these briefly. We consider libertarian and social responsibility theories of the press. Some of the key questions include: What are the arguments for and against regulating the media and how far have these 5 arguments changed over the past 10-20 years? What are the different kinds of regulation that affect the media? What ethical issues arise from the way media and media organisations are structured and the changing media landscape? How is regulation adapting to meet those changes? What are the implications of ideas such as diversity, equity, and convergence, responsibility, accountability? Focus Questions: ‘What are the relative merits and challenges in regulation by different methods & regulators (eg Government, independent regulator or platform algorithms). In deciding what is truthful or what is offensive and should not be published, is it better to allow everything to be published and for those who are offended or harmed to initiate any legal action or complaint or should the content be regulated’ in some way? ‘What are regulatory conversations? Do they help us understand media law and ethics? ‘Why are different parts of the media and communications regulated differently? Is it possible or desirable to have a single regulatory regime for all media? ‘What are the criteria for evaluating how appropriate & how effective each kind of regulation is? ‘For any publication, who is responsible’ and how are they held accountable? Do ethical principles and legal reasoning ever conflict or coincide when determining this issue? ‘How do the concepts of diversity and convergence underpin regulation of the media in Australia? Is structural regulation or regulation of content more important? ‘Should internet platforms (near-monopoly distributors) be considered public utilities and subject to more stringent regulations, aimed at preserving competition, innovation, and fair, open universal access; should the structure’ or content of the internet be regulated? ‘Should the big platforms (Facebook, Google, YouTube, Instagram) be treated as media’ organisations / publishers -and should they be liable for the content on those platforms, or are they merely conduits for other publishers for whom they bear no responsibility? (we re-visit this question in specific areas such as defamation, vilification, copyright in later weeks) Required Reading: ‘Dwyer, T. (2012) Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media. Basingstoke, Hampshire, Palgrave Macmillan. Ch. 6. [Textbook] Supplementary Reading: ‘Facebook Content Moderation 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/06/proof-that-facebook-brokenobvious-from-modus-operandi o https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/27/world/facebook-moderators.html ‘UN Reports -Principles for Governing the Internet ”’http://www.unesco.org/new/en/principlesgoverningInternet West, M (2019) article provides useful depth & good video link of the Leveson inquiry issues. https://www.michaelwest.com.au/australian-independent-media-on-the-rise/ Belli, Luca; Francisco, Pedro Augusto P.; Zingales, Nicolo (2017) Platform Regulations: How platforms are regulated & how platforms regulate us. https://bibliotecadigital.fgv.br/dspace/handle/10438/19402 How Facebook Moderation Works 6 ‘https://www.vice.com/en_au/article/xwk9zd/how-facebook-content-moderation-works Crawford, K, & Lumby, C (2011). The adaptive moment: a fresh approach to convergent media in Australia. Sydney, NSW: University of New South Wales. Links to recent reports, inquiries and proposals for reform of the media can be found in the List of Useful Resources and Links (on Canvas/Module/Additional Resources). To understand debates around media regulation, consider the reports issued by recent inquiries into regulation of the media, look at the purpose of and general concepts underpinning those inquiries -(what prompted them, key recommendations). Reading the Executive Summaries and some of the media responses to those inquiries can be useful to understand the main threads in arguments around regulation of the media. Week 6 Regulation of Media (Codes of Ethics & Codes of Practice) Some of the many questions that arise in looking at regulation of the media include: What is or should be regulated? Who is or should be regulated? What are the different ways to regulate? How is content regulated across different media? How effective are selfregulation/codes of practice compared to direct regulation? What is the role of the regulators? What does the MEAA code cover and what does it leave out? What other codes of conduct impact on the media and how do they compare? What function do codes of practice serve and how well do they fulfil those functions? Required Reading: Adequacy of Codes: ‘Black, J and Barney, R D (1985), “The Case against Mass Media Codes of Ethics,” Journal of Mass Media Ethics, vol. 1, no. 1, pp 27-36. [eReserve] Consider how far current codes address the concerns raised by the authors, given the article was written prior to the current codes. Familiarise yourself with some of the media codes of ethics; Explore the websites of the different regulators to understand the regulation and the regulator, what/who do they apply to and what are the parameters of the codes. Consider how each code has been developed and why are there so many differences. The websites of APC and ACMA have examples of how complaints under the codes have been dealt with previously. APC Australian Press Council Statement of Principles (adjudications published) http://www.presscouncil.org.au/statements-of-principles/ MEAA Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Code of Ethics’ http://www.alliance.org.au/code-of-ethics.html ACMA (does not write the broadcasting codes it does publish discussion on investigative concepts relevant to complaints, & it adjudicates (& publishes) complaints not otherwise dealt with by the broadcasters/industry) ‘https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/investigation-concepts-series ‘https://www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Broadcast/Television/TV-content-regulation/tvcontent-regulation ‘https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/ACMAi/Investigation-reports/Televisioninvestigations/television-operations-investigations 7 FreeTV Commercial Television Code of Practice http://www.freetv.com.au/content_common/pg-code-of-practice.seo CRA Commercial Radio Code http://commercialradio.cra.predelegation.com/index.cfm?page_id=1170 ABC Code http://about.abc.net.au/reports-publications/code-of-practice/ ABC Editorial Policies, (Content Standards). http://www.abc.net.au/corp/pubs/edpols.htm Advertising Codes (adjudications published) http://www.adstandards.com.au/advertisingstandards/codesweadminister PRIA Public Relations Institute of Australia Code of Ethics’. http://www.pria.com.au/membercentre/members-code-of-ethics Week 8 Privacy, (The right to privacy; Information & News Gathering, Confidentiality; Surveillance & Data-matching) Issues to consider: Privacy is one of the most complex and multi-faceted areas of media regulation and ethics. Privacy has traditionally received isolated legal protection but fallen within a range of other established legal areas -trespass, nuisance, defamation. There is an increasing focus on the illusive right’ to privacy and its many guises -eg the right to be forgotten, the right to have information protected, etc. Given the new technology that has developed since early attempts to protect privacy, there are increasing concerns about the adequacy of law to address this complex area. Another side to the privacy’ debate is the use of confidential information and the role of organisations such as Wikileaks and others who expose information that others would rather keep private’ or confidential. How should media practitioners navigate through the many issues surrounding privacy? Why is the definition of privacy’ so problematic in legal and ethical terms? Why has the law in Australia been reluctant to provide a distinct ‘right to privacy’ and is this changing? Required Reading: ‘Dwyer T (2012) Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media, Chapter 4: Confidential Information and Privacy [Textbook] Supplementary reading: ”Stewart, D 2002, “Protecting Privacy, Property and Possums: Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd,” Federal Law Review 6, vol. 30, no. 1. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/FedLRev/2002/6.html Pearson, M and Polden, M (2019), Privacy’, The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law, 6th ed., pp. 447476. [e-text: pp 341-355] Keeping secrets: Confidentiality, sources, and freedom of information legislation’ pp. 311330. [e-text: pp 235-246] 8 ””””’Week 9 Chadwick, P (2004) Privacy & Media: 5 Categories of Fame (aka Taxonomy of Fame’); Conference Paper . [eReserve] Pearson, M (2012) The Privacy Mandala, A tool for ethical newsroom decision making JournLaw, (eR) ALRC (2014) Serious Invasions of Privacy in the Digital Era https://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/serious-invasions-privacy-digital-era-alrc-report123 ALRC submission to Senate Inquiry into remedies for serious invasion of privacy https://www.alrc.gov.au/submission-senate-inquiry-remedies-serious-invasion-privacynsw Whittle, S. and Cooper, G. (2009). Privacy, Probity and Public Interest, Challenge Series, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Department of Politics and International Relations, Oxford University, UK [eReserve] Rolph, D, (2012) ‘The interaction of remedies for defamation and privacy’ (2012)108 Precedent 14-17. [eReserve] Arthur, C (2014) Explaining The right to be forgotten’ The Guardian 15 May 2014 (raises both defamation and privacy issues) Defamation – General Principles Issues to consider: In this lecture, we look at some legal issues surrounding Defamation, and the challenge of balancing protection of the (individual) right to reputation with protection of (public) interest in free speech and publication of material. Defamation laws in Western countries are often seen as a necessary restraint on free speech to protect an individual’s reputation. The law finds the balance between free speech/free press and the individual’s rights to reputation in framing the necessary elements for a plaintiff to bring legal action for defamation and in the defences available to the defendant. But do the law and courts always get the balance right? Reputation management is a developing area of practice with particular challenges in the online environment. This week we look at: What is defamation? Identifying material that is likely to be defamatory? What defences to defamation enable us to publish otherwise defamatory material? Consider the newly emerging right to be forgotten’ -how will this impact on free speech and defamation? To what extent are new media & Big Tech platforms responsible for what is posted by users? Is it ever ok to publish defamatory material? How far do defamation laws unnecessarily inhibit a free press? Note the overlap between defamation other areas of law such as vilification, privacy and contempt. Required Reading: ‘Dwyer T (2012) Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media, Chapter 3: Defamation and the Protection of Reputations [Textbook] ‘NSW Dept of Justice (2018) Reform of the Uniform Defamation Act (2005) https://apo.org.au/node/175651 Supplementary Reading ”Wilding, D Trends in Digital Defamation some recent research (Canvas/Module/Week 9) Rolph, D (2012) The interaction of remedies for defamation and privacy’ 108 Precedent 14- 9 17. PDF/ Download from http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2017292#%23 Pearson M, Proud, C and Wilcox, P (2003), “The Cyberboundaries of Reputation: Implications of the Australian High Court’s ‘Gutnick’ decision for journalists,” Australian Journalism Review, vol. 25, no. 1, pp 101-114. [eReserve] Available at http://epublications.bond.edu.au/hss_pubs/79/ Wilson v Bauer Media (2017 Supreme Court Judgement https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/court-decisions/judgments-and-sentences/judgmentsummaries/wilson-v-bauer-media-pty-ltd-2017-vsc Hickey, N (2018) Six lessons from the Rebel Wilson Court of Appeal Judgement https://sociallitigator.com/2018/06/16/six-lessons-from-the-rebel-wilson-court-of-appealdecision/ Pearson, M, and Polden, M (2019) The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law, 6th Ed Chapters 7-8. ””Week 10 Vilification, Racism, Pornography, Violence, Censorship Issues to consider: There are many laws and regulations affecting the content of media -related to the subject matter and intended or potential audiences: classification of material, vilification and obscenity laws, community standards and advertising codes. How do the codes of practice on vilification compare to the laws against vilification? What is Dogwhistle’ journalism. Reconsider the role of media and media practitioners -is it merely a reflection of majority populations in society or are there positive obligations to portray minorities and minority interests? What role does the media play in reflecting/reporting/setting community attitudes? Censorship and the Internet raises many questions on both the role of media and the regulation of the media -is self-regulation a proper response or should there be unlimited access to art’? Required Reading Vilification ‘Soutphommasane, T. (2014) Racial Vilification Law Unites Australia Alternative Law Journal https://www.altlj.org/news-and-views/opinion/767-racial-vilification-law-unitesaustralians ”Human Rights Commission: At a Glance Racial Vilification under ss18C & D https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/race-discrimination/projects/glance-racialvilification-under-sections-18c-and-18d-racial Slagle, M (2009) An ethical exploration of free expression and the problem of hate speech’ Journal of Mass Media Ethics, 24 [eReserve] ‘Hage, G (2003), “A Viable Ethics: Journalists and the ‘ Ethnic Question'” in Lumby, C and Probyn (eds) Remote Control: New Media, New Ethics, Cambridge University Press, pp 7486. [eReserve or Fisher reserve] ‘Gilchirst, K (2000), “Millennium Multiplex: Art the internet and censorship,” UNSW Law Journal, vol. 23, no. 1, pp 268-273. [eReserve] ‘Simon Rice (2020) https://2ser.com/religious-discrimination-bill-harming-others-in-the- 10 name-of-faith/ Classification: ‘ALRC (2012) Classification Content and Convergent Media http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/classification-content-regulation-and-convergentmedia-alrc-report-118 ‘ALRC Submission (2015) to Senate Inquiry into Revenge Porn ‘https://www.alrc.gov.au/submission-senate-inquiry-revenge-porn Supplementary reading: ‘Pearson and Polden (2019) The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law, 6th Ed pp 345-384 Week 11 Copyright, Moral Rights and Creativity Issues to consider: This week we consider how copyright laws both assist and hamper media practitioners. As well as increasing our legal literacy, we look at some contemporary issues in Copyright Law (Culture & Copyright; Remix Culture – tributes, mashups & remix; Downloading & liability of ISPs; News Aggregation & Computer Generated compilations; Technological solutions; Selfies, Anti-selfies and Non-selfies; Timeshifting; Regulation of online infringement are just a few of the current issues). What material is subject to copyright and how is it protected? Protecting your own copyright; using other people’s material; Moral rights. Should news’ be subject to copyright, should it be free or is it just another commodity? Required reading: ‘Dwyer. T (2012) Legal and Ethical Issues in the Media Chapter 5 Intellectual Property and Modes of Regulation [Textbook] Supplementary Reading: ‘Sainsbury, M (2007), “Parody, Satire and Copyright Infringement” in Media and Arts Law Review, vol. 12, no. 3, pp 292-319. [eReserve] ‘Suzor, N (2008), “Where the bloody hell does parody fit in Australian Copyright Law,” Media and Arts Law Review, vol.13, no. 2, pp 218-248. [eReserve] ‘Bowrey, K (2005), “Telling Tales: Digital Piracy and the law,” in Law and Internet Cultures, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp 137-170. [eReserve?] http://www.chickenfish.cc/copy/lic_chapter_06.html ‘Bowrey, K (2007), ” What Are You Missing Out On? Big Media, Broadcasting, Copyright and Access to Innovation,” in A T Kenyon (ed) TV Futures: Digital Television Policy in Australia, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, pp 135-165. [eReserve] ‘Pearson, M. and Polden, (2019), Intellectual Property’, The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law, 6th Ed., pp. 401-438. ‘Copyright Council http://www.copyright.org.au/acc_prod/ACC/Home/ACC/Home.aspx?hkey=24823bbe5416-41b0-b9b1-0f5f6672fc31 ‘Arts Law Centre https://www.artslaw.com.au/ ‘APRA/AMCOS (Copyright Clearing Houses) http://apraamcos.com.au 11 Week 12 Commercial Media Cultures; Objectivity as an ethical perspective This week we re-visit some of the ethical questions we have looked at earlier in the context of commercial media cultures. What effect do commercial pressures and industry structure have on media ethics? How do ethical expectations for commercial media compare with those for public and civic journalism? Do we need to ask ‘Who is a Journalist’ to determine what ethics apply? Are there Ethical issues arising from News Values? In exploring these questions, we may need to consider the roles and responsibilities of journalists (e.g., values, newsroom culture, decision making models), the landscape (e.g., owners, audiences, economics, citizens), and pressure points (e.g., accuracy, conflicts of interest, bias, and coverage of vulnerable people). What are journalistic values and are they changing (objectivity vs activism; information vs entertainment). 1. Is the ideal of objectivity still worth striving for? 2. Does the pressure and nature of media work mean that ethics always comes second? 3. What are the concerns of paying for news stories? Is Chequebook journalism inherently bad or are there ways to ethically accommodate this practice? 4. The Cash-for-Comment scandal was a defining moment in Australia’s commercial popular media history. Should we have different ethical expectations for different media? Are traditional values adequate for emerging media forms? 5. How does popular media work, specifically, as a channel for developing ethical sensibilities? Are you convinced by the arguments that popular media might have a positive role to play in the development of ethical sensibilities? Required Reading: ‘Gordon-Smith, M (2002), Media ethics after cash for comment’, in Stuart Cunningham and Graeme Turner (eds.), The Media and Communications in Australia, 3rd Ed., Crow’s Nest, Allen and Unwin, pp. 277-292. [eReserve] ‘Richards, I (2004) Journalism and Objectivity in Quagmires and Quandaries, UNSW Press, pp 32-47 ‘Dunne, A (2003) Ethics Impossible Chapter 8 in Lumby, C & Probyn, E (2003) (eds) Remote Control: New Media, New Ethics (Chapter 8 in eReserve on Canvas;

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.