Journalists and the Law
Module 1, Activity 3.2 - Libel and the Law
Student Page
(teacher lesson for this page)

Activities:

Task One - Listening about Libel
View a Saskatchewan journalist talking about the legal issues involved in being a journalist. While listening, respond to the following:

1. Who is the speaker?
2. What makes the speaker qualified to speak on this subject?
3. What did the speaker define libel as?
   
   After viewing ask yourself:
4. Why is libel an issue for journalists?
5. How do journalists change their practices because of the issue of libel?
6. Who makes the final decision about whether a story can be printed?

What is safe to say?
Look at the recent
cases to find out.

About Case or Common Law

It is difficult for reporter to make decisions ethical issues because the law is always changing. In Canada, we use a type of law called common law, where the decisions of previous judges (precedent) effect the decisions made in later court cases. That means everytime a judge makes a decision, she conciders what other judges have said recently. Unless you are very involved in legal maters, it is hard to know exactly what is permissible. Since libel is a legal issue, journalists need to be very careful about their professional choices.

Objectives:

You will be able to
- understand the concepts of libel and slander.
- listen to understand and learn.
- understand the legal limitations on the media
- understand the rights and responsibilities of the press

Task Two - A Case Study
For this activity, you need to select a major newspaper such as the National Post or the Globe and Mail. These news organizations have sites that are searchable. Look for a case within the last 5 years that involves journalism and libel.

Read about the case and find the key facts about it. Record the 5w's of the case in your notebook. (Not sure what the 5w's are? Refresh your memory)

Listen as other members of the class explain what their cases are about. Try to think of common elements in the cases. With your teacher, create a definition of libel and make a list of common elements in the cases the class found. Record these elements in your notebook.