Media Law, Ethics, and Society
What the domain tests
This domain tests your grasp of the legal limits on publication and the ethical standards that govern gathering and presentation of news.
Core rules and concepts
- Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression; 19(2) permits reasonable restrictions on grounds including sovereignty and integrity, security of the state, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation and incitement to an offence.
- Defamation: libel (permanent form) and slander (spoken). Defences include truth, fair comment and privilege. Contempt of court protects the administration of justice; sub judice reporting must avoid prejudice.
- Statutes to know: Official Secrets Act 1923; Copyright Act 1957; Press Council Act 1965; Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995; RTI Act 2005; IT Act 2000 (Section 66A struck down in 2015; blocking and intermediary rules remain).
- Ethics: accuracy, fairness, privacy, consent, avoiding plagiarism and conflict of interest, correcting errors, avoiding paid news, sensitive reporting on children, women and suicide.
Worked example
A reporter obtains the name of a juvenile accused in a robbery. Publishing the name may breach juvenile justice law and privacy norms even if the facts are true. Reasoning: legality is checked first, then harm; the public interest in the name is low, and identification defeats rehabilitation. The story can still report the incident, the charge and the court process without naming the minor.
Traps that cost marks
Assuming truth always protects you. Confusing defamation with contempt. Publishing unverified allegations from social media. Ignoring copyright when lifting photos. Treating ethics as optional when the law is silent.