McNae's Essential Law for Journalists

The only media law text published in partnership with the NCTJ that provides unparalleled treatment of the core legal issues affecting journalists. Clear, succinct, and practical, it is the absolute handbook for students and practising journalists. This indispensable handbook prevails as journalism's foremost authority on media law since its inception in 1954. Key Features - Authors' combined expertise in media reporting and teaching offers clear, succinct, and accurate detail on core legal issues. - Published in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists and designed to complement accredited syllabi. This text is also recommended for a broad range of media qualifications. - Includes a range of features, such as tips on reporting, need-to-know points, and cross references that explore how different elements of the law interact with each other. - Up-to-date case studies and examples help contextualize difficult areas. - Online resources accompany the book, including self-test questions to help students test their understanding, online chapters, and additional reading material. Also available as an e-book with functionality, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support. New to this editon: - Chapter 3 has been revised in line with new Ofcom guidance on presenting news programmes. - Chapter 17 reflects the new coroner's Bench Book, including updated guidance on open justice and inquests in writing. - Chapter 19 now includes a section on the Law Commission's recommendations on contempt by publication when proceedings are active. - Chapter 32 has been revised and updated to incorporate the 2023 National Security Act.

1 - Introduction
2 - Press regulation
3 - Broadcast regulation
4 - Journalism avoiding unjustified intrusion
5 - Crime – media coverage prior to any court case
6 - Crime – categories and definitions
7 - Magistrates' courts – summary cases
8 - Magistrates' courts – the most serious criminal cases
9 - Crown courts and appeal courts
10 - Children and young persons in court proceedings
11 - Anonymity for victims and alleged victims of sexual offences, human trafficking, female genital mutilation and forced marriage offences
12 - Court reporting – other restrictions
13 - Civil courts
14 - Family courts
15 - Open justice and access to court information
16 - Challenging in the courts
17 - Coroners' courts
18 - Tribunals and public inquiries
19 - Contempt of court
20 - Defamation – definitions and dangers
21 - Who can sue for defamation and what they must prove
22 - Defamation defences
23 - The public interest defence in defamation law
24 - The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
25 - Slander and malicious falsehood
26 - Breach of confidence
27 - Privacy
28 - Data protection
29 - Copyright
30 - Reader's postings and online safety issues
31 - Reporting elections
32 - National security and official secrets
33 - Journalists' sources
34 - The risks of being charged with other criminal offences
35 - The right to take photographs, film and record
36 - Other UK jurisdictions
37 - The Freedom of Information Act 2000
38 - Other information rights and access to meetings
39 - Boundaries to expression – hate and obscenity
40 - Terrorism and the effect of counter-terrorism law
41 - Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

Sian Harrison is a partner at Maltin PR and a member of the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board. Sian is also an external examiner for Cardiff University's School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies as well as being a member of HMCTS Media Working Group. She is an experienced journalist, court reporter, and media consultant. Gill Phillips is a freelance editorial legal consultant. She was the Guardian's director of editorial legal services between 2009 and 2023, during which time she advised on major investigations such as Wikileaks, Edward Snowden, phone hacking, the Panama, Paradise and Pandora Papers and the Uber Files. Before joining the Guardian, Gill was an in-house lawyer at the BBC and Times Newspapers. She is a visiting lecturer on the Journalism MA at City St Georges, University of London. Charlie Moloney is a media law commentator, trainer, and journalist. He has reported from courts for national publishers since 2018 and has successfully challenged numerous reporting restrictions. In 2025, supported by the Media Lawyers Association, he challenged a coroner's refusal to disclose the outcome of a written inquest. He provides legal training and consultancy and is a senior examiner for the NCTJ.