Customer Reviews
The only practical journalism book you really need - By: Jason A. Roberts, 04 Jun 2008 
As a working journalist, this is the only book I (and every colleague I've ever worked with on any newsdesk) reach for time & time again. Not only is it bang up to date, it explains all aspects of reporting law clearly & succinctly.
Unsure of what libel is? How to defend against it? Are youin contempt of court? Breaching the Official Secrets Act? Taking photographs of children? Invading somebody's privacy? McNae's knows. And it's writtenin a way to tell you quickly.
It's known as The Biblein the regional newsrooms I've workedin all my life - & it's easy to see why when you read it. I can't recommend this highly enough: EVERY reporter should have their own copy.
19th edition, and you can see why - By: Martin Turner, 15 Feb 2008 This is the 19th edition of McNae's, & it doesn't take long to see why. It's updatedin response to changesin legislation, & if you rely on having an accurate understanding of the law for journalism, it will almost certainly pay to stay up to date.
This is a set book for journalists doing NCTJs, and, from our point of view, an essential referencein our PR department -- alongside the Press Complaints Commission code poster up on the wall.
Journalism & the law are two things on which many people have opinions. There are lots of people who will quite happily sayin a meeting "it's against the law to...", "newspapers are required by law to...", "they won't be allowed to print...". Unfortunately, a lot of this 'knowledge' is second or third hand, & much of it dates back to legislation or cases that have now been superseded. A lot of the rest of it is gleaned from conversationsin pubs, & articlesin newspapers. In other words, of very little value.
This book is the antidote: updated from the most recent changes & the most recent cases, & adopting exactly the right tone when it comes to describing things which are subject to being testedin the courts. And it's an awful lot cheaper than ringing up a lawyer.
Strongly recommended for anyone who actually needs to know.
