It was great to meet Chris Wheal at the NUJ student workshop in Cardiff and listen to his knowledge and advice on law and ethics in journalism. In particular, his views on the Leveson Enquiry and the interview with Rupert Murdoch conducted in April.
In response to Murdoch’s suggestion at the Inquiry that a employee who made allegations of bullying ‘should have just left’ the News of the World, Wheal felt that Murdoch was ultimately the biggest bully. I laughed in agreement.
As a student of English, not Journalism, it was great to have my own knowledge broadened as regards the legal and ethical aspects of the media.
It was interesting to hear Wheal explore the different laws that apply to broadcast and print journalism.
When writing for our student newspaper at Swansea University, the Waterfront, we have to keep in mind the potential laws we may be breaching and how to avoid this.
As mother of Swansea University’s NUJ chapel the social that followed the Media Law & Ethics session was a great place to meet other active NUJ members.
It gave us insight into how other chapels work as well as how to get involved with the delegates meeting later this year.
This event was invaluable and the chapel at Swansea University send their thanks to the staff that set up this up and who invited great connections for us to network with.
Bring on the revitalised ethics in future journalism!??
Samantha Booth is 20-year-old English Literature student studying at Swansea University. She is currently the mother of Swansea University’s NUJ chapel and the General Features Editor of the students’ union newspaper, The Waterfront.
The Things My Mother Says is a humorous blog she updates exploring the life of her young mother.