ASS 2 Understanding Media Law

There are three main types of law, Defamation, Contempt of court, reporting restrictions.

Defamation is a statement that is made that can damage a person’s reputation in the eyes of others, there are two versions of defamations, libel is the written version and slander is the vocal version. „A person, a company, a group of people can be defamed. People can and will sue you for this. The statement can merely be a suggestion or implication. 

A comedian who shares the same last name as Eddie Murphy is suing the Shrek star for defamation. Brando Murphy is claiming that the Shrek star is trying to ruin his stand up career by stating that the comedian looks and acts like him onstage. The comic has received death threats which has resulted in the suing of Eddie Murphy.

Contempt of court is thaw disruption in a courtroom. It exists to protect the running of the court. —It contains something called a strict liability rule which prevents any publication or broadcast from affecting the decisions of the court. The maximum prison sentence in the United Kingdom is two years but the law is becoming increasing difficult to enforce due to the worldwide nature of media coverage.

Ebony Burkes appeared in court for domestic violence and assault. The judge initially gave her 30 days for contempt of court before gradually increasing the sentence as she argued back at the judge. She eventually ended up with a 300 day sentence.

Reporting Restrictions automatically protect the identity of those who are children and those who have be sexually assaulted. Those who have assaulted will be identified by the press, as of the case of Coronation Street actor William Roache. The press do not have the right to identify victims that have been assaulted are those who are children.

Even though the press aren't allowed to uncover the identity of children, in 1993, 2 year old, James Bulger was abducted and tortured by two boys aged 10. Throughout the murder trial, the murderers identities where protected and where referred to as Boy A and Boy B. Although when they where found guilty, the judge decided to lift the reporting restrictions and their identities where made public.