Communication Law and Ethics (COMU2160)

Course overview

You will examine regulations, laws and ethical issues that impact on communication practitioners and journalists. The course covers a broad range of fields within modern democracies including free speech, privacy, contempt, defamation, copyright, freedom of information and confidentiality.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to media regulation, law, and ethical frameworks essential for professionals engaged in the fields of journalism, strategec communication, and digital media. The course is organised into three modules. Module 1 will focus on the role of ethics for communication and media professionals. This module will also study classical ethical theories of duty-based ethics, consequentialism, and virtue ethics. Module 2 will explore regulatory approaches, principles, and issues related to legacy (broadcasting, print) and digital media (social media & AI). Module 3 will delve into specific laws and principles related to freedom of expression, freedom of information, whistleblower protection, contempt, defamation, privacy, and intellectual property. In Module 2 and 3, our goal will be both to understand the basics of media regulation and law in Australia and to apply a comparative lens to understand relevant laws in a global context. The rationale for assessment in this course is based on evidence-based principles for effective learning in higher education.ﾠ

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Course requirements

Assumed background

This is a Level 2 undergraduate course and students are assumed to have completed one year of studies in journalism and/or communication. In addition to an active interest in current events, students are also assumed to have a working knowledge of the major media organisations operating in Australia, their platforms and outputs.

DO NOT ENROL IN THIS COURSE IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST SEMESTER AT UQ.ﾠﾠ IT IS FOR SECOND AND THIRD YEAR STUDENTS ONLY.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

COMU3800

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with: 

• Your name 
• Your student ID 
• The course code 
• A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference) 
• Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP 

Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team. 

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to equip students with practicalﾠknowledge, understanding and experience of media ethics, law and regulation sufficient forﾠentry level positions in the media and communication industries.ﾠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Mid-Semester Exam

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

35%

Due date

In-semester Saturday

6/09/2025 - 20/09/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Per UQ Academic Calendar, In-semester Saturday deferred examinations for Semester 2, 2025 will be scheduled on Saturday 11 October 2025.

In-Class Quizzes

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

30%

Due date

10/09/2025 - 12/09/2025

17/09/2025 - 19/09/2025

24/09/2025 - 26/09/2025

8/10/2025 - 10/10/2025

15/10/2025 - 17/10/2025

22/10/2025 - 24/10/2025

29/10/2025 - 31/10/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Submission guidelines

This assessment is paper-based and in-person, during scheduled tutorials from Week 7 to Week 13.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

There is no requirement to complete all 7 quizzes. Your result will be calculated from your best 5.

However, if you miss one or more due to illness or other serious issue (and have a medical certificate or equivalent) you are welcome to contact the course coordinator directly and request a make-up quiz at an alternative time, under their supervision.

Media Law Guide

Mode

Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Role play/ Simulation

Weight

35% 1400 words

Due date

10/11/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit via TurnItIn.

TurnItIn Receipts: 

Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial. 

When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can: 

• View the name of the submitted file 
• View date and time of the upload 
• Resubmit your paper (if necessary) 
• Download your submitted paper 
• Download digital receipt. 

If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work). 

If the submission was not successful: 

• Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).  
• Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. 
• If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached. 

Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

If you miss the scheduled in-class draft presentation / peer feedback exericse and have a medical certificate (or equivalent), please contact the course coordinator for permission to reschedule this component of the assessment. Although not contributing to the final grade, the in-class exercise is a requirement of the assignment. Failure to participate will cap your final grade to a pass overall ie 15/30.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

• Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%. 
• Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply. ﾠ 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

• Writing and Style: The precise and accurate use of language is central to law, ethics and regulation. The assessment criteria for this course takes into consideration the correct spelling of words, and the proper use of syntax and grammar. If your written English requires improvement, you can complete this free course in grammar and style developed by The University of Queensland: https://www.edx.org/course/english-grammar-and-style
• Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 
• Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator. 
• Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request. 
• Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university. 
• Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. 

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Learning resources for this course are provided on Blackboard.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

Course guidelines

Communication Expectations  

While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.   

• Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.   
• You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.    
• You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.   
• You can send email at any time, however, please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).   
• Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.