Interview With Editor/Professional Journalist.

*For Magazine Journalism Assessment.
Submitted 01/05/2014

Michael McFarlane is a former publisher/editor who has a vast amount of experience in the audio visual industry; having worked to produce a number of 'specialised' magazines in South Africa. 

Media Law Update.

*Hanna, M. & Dodd, M. “McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists” (2012) 

*For further information visit: www.mcnaes.com

Post to outline recent changes made to British Legal System and how it affects Journalistic practice as a whole. 

*“bloodhound as well as a watchdog.”

“Media Organisations” used to describe publishers of newspapers, magazines and broadcasters, etc. Now includes the likes of freelance journalists and bloggers and “tweeters.”

Journalists can lawfully “tweet”/text/email live from courtroom.

*Social media as online advancement of modern Journalism; applies to ‘live, text based communications’ only.

*Journalists no longer need to apply to court for permission to post from internet connected laptops or mobile devices within public proceedings.

*These rules do not apply to members of the public however.

*”An unobtrusive, hand held, silent piece of modern equipment for the purposes of simultaneous reporting of proceedings to the outside world as they unfold in court is generally unlikely to interfere with the proper administration of justice.” 

Law Summary.

In brief; key points will be built upon over the next couple days.

Introduction.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION (EU, ARTICLE 10)
Update: Leveson Inquiry.
Chairman of Inquiry: Lord Justice Leveson.

*Two-part inquiry launched on 13 July 2011 investigating role of press and police following phone hacking scandal at 'News of the World'

*"Who guards the guardians?" Aim to examine the ethics of the press.

*First part of inquiry published 29 November 2012.

CIVIL LAW: Disputes between individuals.

CRIMINAL LAW: Against the community. 

STANDARDS OF PROOF: 

*"the balance of probability" (CIVIL)

*"beyond reasonable doubt" (CRIMINAL)

THREE SOURCES OF LAW:

*Common Law

*Statute Law (Parliament)

*EU (Human Rights)

RULE AGAINST PRIOR RESTRAINT

*Remedy to follow publication rather than proceed it.

Update: Injunction to undermine above (to perform/restrain against act)

PUBLIC INTEREST as common defence for Journalists.

*Regarding information that is valuable to society as a whole.

WINOL Review (26/10/11).

My task today was to review the latest WINOL news bulletin.

Broadcasting every week, award-winning WINOL enables students to get a taste of what it is really like to work in the Broadcast Journalism industry.

It is key to remember that Journalism is always planned. Although lacking in a deeply compelling story (unlike last week) there was good justification of statistics to coincide with the amount of fair comment provided, coupled with the relevant general view. By doing this, WINOL has followed one of the critical rules that "justice has to be seen to be done".

Winchester's local unions were quite clearly libelled during the bulletin with the expression of their "outrage" over the live streaming of their meeting, which intended to show the public the "transparency of public authority." Here, they have been identified and the story has been published, therefore through the eyes of the public they have been defamed.

Identification ---> Publication---> Defamation = LIBEL.

The choice to make their meetings public could lead to them being shunned and avoided. Or open to hatred and ridicule. However, the degree of public interest within this story is what makes it newsworthy.

For more information on WINOL visit: http://winol.co.uk/.

What Makes A Good Journalist?

A good journalist deals in the "absolute truth" and therefore must NEVER jump to conclusions or lie to the public. A good journalist's job is to "police the police" by always keeping one step ahead of the game and helping "keep them honest", informing the public of key news and developments around the world. Described as a "bloodhound as well as a watchdog", journalists are the source of the world's news and therefore need to be able to achieve good communication to the public through their use of language and be honest in their gathering of information. Therefore, it is crucial that their language is precise and accurate. This has been proved "beyond reasonable doubt". A good journalist needs to be fast, accurate and fair when gathering information/materials by using the power of language to communicate their findings to the public.

[148 words]

So what do you think? Is my response fast, accurate and fair?

"Inside The Mind Of A Murderer"

Paul is a middle aged man. His wife left him 20 years ago making him feel incompetent. He is recently unemployed and is wanted by the police for murdering 10 young women over a 20 year period. He wants to be noticed but to the rest of the world he is Anonymous.

Fade In.

It is late. Paul is sitting at a table in a strip club in Brighton. He is obsessively chewing on his nails. His attention is drawn to a scantily clad lady dancing on a platform nearby. Pounding music plays in the background.

“I come here to escape you know. This place just gives me a sense of freedom. A way of escaping from my separate life. Here I am a nobody He places his hands gently into his lap. He turns to observe the blood on the surface of his fingertips. Paul begins to mutter to himself. We live in a stinking, corrupt society full of hatred and greed. If people knew what was out there hunting them, they’d never leave the house. The world is a stinking pit of darkness (pause) people live their stupid little lives. Paul briefly turns his attention to camera. People lie. Everybody lies (pause) and death (pause) death gives me a release. It makes me feel powerful (pause) invincible (smiles) like nothing in this world could ever touch me. Paul looks back at his lap, muttering. It’s only a matter of time before that power gets taken away (pause) corrupted (long pause) Yeah. I know where I’m headed. He looks back at the dancer. They call me “Anonymous” you know. The cops or “detectives”.  The one that got away. (pause) I remember my first. A young college student (pause) Another insignificant being poisoned by the world around her. I remember her long flowing hair (smiles) I remember. It reminded me of… and the look in her eyes. She chose me (pause) She wanted me (pause) and I gave her the time of her life. Smiles to himself.”

Fade Out.

Fade In.

Paul is walking along an empty street at night. His hands are thrust deeply into his pockets. He is looking directly at the camera.

"You know (pause) to outsmart a detective you have to think like one.  Tiny details that only they notice. Because without the evidence there would be no case. The only alternative (long pause) suicide. He looks at the floor as he walks. Suicide is a funny word. The final act of selfishness (pause) like a speeding bullet. One minute you’re flying. The next. He looks back at the camera, his hands briefly removed from his pockets and gestures. BANG! The camera holds his gaze until he places his hands back into his pockets, his gaze drifting back downwards. Me (pause) I use the evidence to tell a story. You know (pause) planting fingerprints (pause) hair. I could be anybody. Smiles to himself. I've always liked to draw. Ever since I was a child. There was this one piece. A portrait. It’s a sketch of my face. One half perfect (pause) untouched. The other (pause) distorted (pause) dripping (pause) like I have just set fire to my face and all that’s left are loose bits of flesh and the outline of my skull. They say it’s a way of showing both sides. But what happens to a person if those two sides (pause) entities collide? I guess you could say that Evil overpowers the good and slowly (pause) slowly takes control. Once this happens (pause) there’s not going back. Looks at camera. You’re dead inside."

Fade Out.

Fade In.

Paul is leaning against a wall outside a police station. He is casually observing who enters.

"I guess it’s in my blood. Taking lives. Kind of God-like don’t you think? (pause) My Mum always said I was an angel sent down from heaven (pause) but what happens when an angel loses its wings? Does it wither and die? (pause) One insignificant life imposing itself on another. And the consequences (pause) somebody has to pay… Tonight is a very special night (pause) Tonight I prove them all wrong. So much anger. So much suffering (pause) None of it matters. He separates himself from the wall, hands in his pockets. I know where I’m headed…"

Fade Out.

Inspired by US Crime Show "CSI". This particular character was based on the serial killer Paul Millander.

I studied English Language at college and this was part of my first year coursework. I love Creative Writing and hope to pick it up at University alongside my Journalism course.

A few adjustments have been made now I don't have the 750 word limit.