Media law training: Libel

A Journalist's Guide to Libel

Ever thought how much it could cost you if were to be sued for libel or malicious falsehood?
What of your credibility with readers if you're shown to get it wrong?

Many editors and publishers tell us they tried training their journalistic staff in the dangers
of libel. But too often the trainer turns out to be a solicitor or barrister
who knows the law but not the considerations facing a journalist.

Brendan Martin is a journalist and trained trainer who specialises in teaching
media law to journalists, publishers and other involved in producing newspapers;
magazines; programmes for broadcast; and web pages.

A Journalist's Guide to Libel is a one-day course specially designed for journalists.
Forsaking the section numbers and paragraphs of the Defamation Act 1996, this
course concentrates on telling reporters, sub-editors and editors about the
everyday practicalities of the law. The emphasis of the course is what you can
and cannot publish without falling foul of defamation legislation.

The course content includes:

what the claimant has to show the court when bringing a libel case
the defences open to the editor, publisher or journalist
pit-falls and danger areas facing reporters, writers, sub-editors and others
the Reynolds defence explained
libel and the internet
what to do when a complaint of libel is received
difference between libel and malicious falsehood

Delegates receive a comprehensive set of notes

To book a course or find out more email me

Clients for this course have included: Periodical Publishers Association (PPA), Reed Business Information (RBI), Informa, CMP, Haymarket, BBC Worldwide, and others