This practical guide offers an introduction to media law from a journalist's perspective. Written in a clear non-legalistic fashion, it shows how journalists can produce ethical, hard-edged reportage while staying on the right side of the law. It also shows how to negotiate some of the key ethical minefields of day-to-day reporting, focussing on ethical dilemmas which also have legal consequences.

This fully revised and much expanded second edition offers a comprehensive overview of aspects of law which relate to a journalist's work including defamation, contempt, confidentiality, privacy, trespass, intellectual property and ethical regulation. Recent cases and examples are used to illustrate key points. Also included is an introduction to the legal system and guidelines on reporting legal issues.

Tips, summaries and a handy flow chart to defamation law make The Journalist's Guide to Media Law a handy reference for professionals and an essential text for students. This second edition contains three new chapters, fresh case studies, and new material on ethics. Important principles of press freedom and open justice are covered in detail.

Mark Pearson PhD is Professor of Journalism at Bond University, Queensland and holds a Master of Laws with a specialisation in media law. He has worked as a journalist on a variety of metropolitan, suburban and regional newspapers and was a section editor on The Australian.

Reviews of the First Edition, shortlisted for the Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing:

His book is written with flair and authority and will help journalists do their job confidently while staying on the right side of the law.' John Tidey, Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association Bulletin.

This may well be the media law book for the beginning of the 21st century.' Charles Stuart, Australian Journalism Review.

Its strength is in its ability to cut through the legal jargon and communicate the issues clearly and practically. As one student noted: It's logical. I can get my mind wrapped around it.' As such it represents a major advance in media law education in Australia.' Jeanette Zanotto, Asia-Pacific Media-Educator.

The first edition of The Journalist's Guide to Media Law was shortlisted for the Australian Awards for Excellence in Educational Publishing.

Mark Pearson is Professor and Head of Journalism at Bond University, Queensland and holds a Master of Laws with a specialisation in media law. He has worked as a journalist on a variety of metropolitan, suburban and regional newspapers and was a section editor on The Australian.