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  3. Dilemmas in Journalism: Law and Ethics

Dilemmas in Journalism: Law and Ethics (JOUR90006)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - On Campus
June - On Campus
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This subject will provide students with a grounding in key aspects of media law that all journalists need to be aware of, and offer students an opportunity to engage with particular ethical dilemmas that arise in the field of journalism. It will provide students with an opportunity to gain a deep understanding and capacity to reflect on legal and ethical principles, as well as an understanding of how such knowledge is relevant to the ongoing dilemmas and decisions that journalists are faced with in the course of their work.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Utilise relevant philosophical theory and industry codes of ethics to practice journalism with sound judgement and integrity
  • Evaluate free speech principles and societal considerations to produce reporting that balances expression with other rights in diverse media environments
  • Analyse the impact of news-gathering methods and emerging technologies, critically assessing their applications and ethical boundaries
  • Develop strategies for trauma-sensitive reporting, minimising harm to yourself and others while covering complex issues in a safe, responsible, and inclusive manner
  • Apply defamation and contempt law to mitigate legal risks while also assessing threats from national security and whistleblower laws
  • Understand and evaluate principles of journalistic truth, impartiality, and civic responsibility, analysing their role in fostering informed citizenship

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should gain the following generic skills:

  • The ability to provide leadership in journalism at a national and global level
  • The ability to understand the fundamental principles for making critical legal and ethical judgments regarding professional journalism practice
  • The ability to evaluate the dynamic processes of change operating in contemporary media and communication industries
  • Advanced skills in research, analysis and interpretation
  • Advanced skills in writing, reporting and communicating facts and ideas
  • Advanced critical thinking through presentation of research papers, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence, and by critical analysis
  • Time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads
  • Cultural and ethical understanding through reflection, reading and practical experience of journalists’ responsibilities; and
  • An understanding of how to market their own ideas and successfully pursue careers in an increasingly diversified and transforming industry environment.

Last updated: 15 December 2025