Core Module Information
Module title: Sports Journalism Rights and Regulations

SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: JAC11144
Module leader: Simon Pia
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Media and Humanities
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

This module offers an overall view on the legislation and ethical codes of journalism in Scotland and in the UK, contextualised to a perspective for professionals working in the sports industry. On this module, you will critically appraise the legal and regulatory challenges facing sports media and the sports’ governing bodies at a Scottish, UK, European and global level. You will also study how these issues are pertinent to the individual journalist and media organisations and specific sports related legislation.The module will examine how aspects of the law apply in the following areas: • Criminal (disorder, hooliganism, hate crime, drugs, health & safety)• Civil (defamation, privacy, copyright) • Business (liquidation, sponsorship, media rights) and Employment (contracts, visas). You are also expected to reflect on social media’s legal impact on both mainstream media, professionals, and governing bodies. Underpinning this will be an understanding of the ethical and legal importance of inclusion, diversity, and human rights in the modern sports industry.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Critically evaluate professional case studies containing in-depth analysis, arguing around legal aspects of sports media.

LO2: Critically engage with journalism regulations and the law and demonstrate an understanding of its application on sports reporting.

LO3: Critically appraise media regulations to display mastery of self-legal video/audio/ written copy.

LO4: Critically appraise the global coverage of sports and the regulatory, ethical, and legal context in which sports journalists operate, displaying mastery in referencing relevant academic literature.

LO5: Demonstrate an understanding, rationalise its use, and exercise appropriate judgment on the legal implications for online/social media activity and global communication.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: David Tanner
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 12 You will be part of lectures that offer input on specific subject, combined with experiential learning, by observing live sports events (matches, competitions, press conferences, etc). Through group discussion, you will engage with legal, regulatory, and ethical issues at a local, European and global level.
Face To Face Tutorial 24 In-class practical supervised activities will take place as a workshop practice (engaging with multimedia digital, video, and audio content). They will enable you to develop sports reporting at all levels.
Online Guided independent study 164 You will consolidate your learning through accessing library resources and on the module moodle page, which will be updated weekly with links to relevant articles and videos that complements the lectures and formative assessments.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Essay 50 3~4~5 Week 9 , WORDS= 2500 words Produce an academic essay on a selected principle of journalism and/or sports law and regulations and the legal implications for social media activities in a global environment.
Project - Practical 50 1~2~3 Week 13 HOURS= 2000 words Produce two commentary article (1000 words each), written in a journalistic style for publication, supplying a critical analysis of a governance issue regarding laws and regulations of the sports industry.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader