McNae's Essential Law for Journalists

Affectionately known simply as McNae's, this book prevails as journalism's most succinct authority on media law since its inception in 1954.

The new edition captures the essence of this hotly debated and evolving area of law. The authors' expertise in media reporting and teaching ensures McNae's is accessible for students and journalists, giving you the essentials and encouraging intellectual acuity as the complexities of the law are laid bare.

McNae's practical approach includes features that highlight important information, such as case detail, need-to-know points, and cross references that explore how different elements of the law interact with each other.

Published in partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists, McNae's is an indispensable media law guide that imbues confidence in students and supports and assures journalists undertaking their everyday work.

Digital formats and resources
The twenty-sixth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported with online resources.
- The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features, and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks
- Comprehensive online resources accompany the text. Visit www.mcnaes.com to access new self-test questions with feedback to solidify students' understanding, regular updates from the authors to keep readers abreast of the law, and additional material on important topics within the book.

Sian Harrison, Law Editor, PA Media,Mark Hanna, Senior Examiner for the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board and Emeritus Fellow, University of Sheffield

Sian Harrison is the Law Editor of PA Media (formerly the Press Association) and a member of the NCTJ's Media Law Examinations Board. She is an experienced journalist and court reporter and has been based at the Royal Courts of Justice since 2010.

Mark Hanna is the Senior Examiner of the NCTJ Media Law Examinations Board, and an Emeritus Fellow of the Sheffield University's Journalism Studies department. Mark is the recipient of the NCTJ's Chairman's award for his outstanding contribution to journalism education. He was an award-winning crime
and investigations reporter.

Part 1: The Landscape of Law, Ethics and Regulation
1. Introduction
2. Press regulation
3. Broadcast regulation
4. Journalism avoiding unjustified intrusion
Part 2: Crime, Courts and Tribunals
5. Crime - media coverage prior to any court case
6. Crimes - 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 cases
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
Part 3: Defamation and Related Law
20. Defamation - definitions and dangers
21. Who can sue for defamation and what they must prove
22. Defamation defences
23. The public interest defence
24. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
25. Slander and malicious falsehood
Part 4: Confidentiality, Privacy and Copyright
26. Breach of confidence
27. Privacy
28. Data protection
29. Copyright
Part 5: Information and Expression
30. Readers' postings
31. Reporting elections
32. Official secrets
33. The journalist's sources and neutrality
34. The risks of being charged with bribery, misconduct, hacking or intercepting
35. The right to take photographs, film and record
Part 6: Online Chapters
36. Media law in Northern Ireland
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. Media law in Scotland