The crown court deals with the most serious criminal cases and the most famous Crown court is in Central London called Old Bailey. There are three types of judge that sit at the Crown court High court judges, circuit judges and recorders.
A defendant’s case goes to crown court because it has been first of all “sent for trial by magistrates, if it is an indictable charge; (...) committed for trial by magistrates, if it is an either way charge or transferred by magistrates, if it is an either-way fraud case deemed serious or complex, or is an either- way case involving an alleged sexual or violent crime and a child witness; sent for trial by a High Court judge by means of a voluntary bill of inducement; or committed for sentence or been subject to section 70 committal.” (ref.1)
“The purpose of the automatic reporting restrictions is to prevent prejudicial matter aired or decided in these hearings being published in advance of the jury trial.” And under the 1980 Act, section 8 restrictions to reporting from courts ‘any proprietor, editor or publisher’ of a newspaper or periodical can be prosecuted for breach of that act. From recent examples of breaches of section 8, In 2008the publisher of the Jewish Chronicle Newspaper ltd was fined after the paper published such a report, in 1996 Graham Glen, the former editor of The Citizen, Gloucester, and the contents of a report of the first appearance in the magistrates court of Fred West, accused of several murders. In this report even though it reflected the hearing accurately section 8 was breached because it was including a statement made there that West had confessed, to police, to killing on of the daughters, i.e. a reference to evidence. (ref.1)
A defendant at the crown court is asked whether he/she pleas guilty or not in the process of arraignment. When the defendant pleas not guilty there is at least one hearing at the court before the jury is involved. (ref.1)
The restrictions which limit what the media can publish from three types of hearing held prior trial that no potential jurors should be present are: applications for a case to be dismissed, prior to arraignment, ‘pre-trial’ hearings’ and ‘preparatory hearings. (ref.1)
Restrictions limit the reports to few categories of information like the name of the crown court and the judge’s name; names, ages, home addresses, and occupations of the defendants and witnesses; the charges or summary of them/it; the names of solicitors or barristers acting in the case; if proceedings are adjourned, the date and place to which they are adjourned; arrangements as to bail was granted or refused, and, if it was granted any bail conditions and surety arrangements and finally whether legal aid was granted. (ref.1)
There is also a specific set of restrictions applying to media reports of ‘pre-trial hearings’ that are set out in the Criminal procedure and Investigations act 1996, and ”prohibit any publications, before the conclusions of all Crown court proceedings in the case, of what is said in such hearings in: an application of any ruling on the admissibility of evidence or any other question of law, including any such rulings made by the judge and an application for such ruling to be varied or discharged , including any such order made by judge.”(ref.1)
In the protocol of working together with media, CPS website states points in Media Relations; Terms of Reference - Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and The Media:
1. “(...) Our aim is to ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings.
2. Our overriding objective is to provide an open and accountable prosecution process, by ensuring the media have access to all relevant material wherever possible, and at the earliest appropriate opportunity.” (ref.2)
3. “Everything that follows is subject to the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA), the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights which guarantees the right to impart and receive information. However we shall strive to interpret these provisions as positively as possible in accordance with the overriding objective in paragraph 1.2.”(ref.2)
4. “CPS policy towards victims and witnesses gives a commitment to treat them with respect and sensitivity and to take all practicable steps to help them through the often difficult experience of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. In the interests of the administration of justice, the views of victims, witnesses and other people directly affected by a case, such as family members, will be given particular consideration when making any decision to reveal or to provide prosecution material to the media. (...)”(ref.2)
5. “A key objective is to achieve effective mutual cooperation. Criminal justice agencies and the media have different roles to fulfill. The primary function of the police is to protect public safety. The role of CPS is to prosecute appropriate cases firmly and fairly. The media's task is to provide the public with information they have a right to, swiftly and comprehensively. (...) ”(ref.2)
7. “ACPO and CPS appreciate the need for speedy decisions about releasing material. Expediting media access to information about prosecutions is an important element of the CPS role. HQ Press Officers and Communications Managers are available in most Areas and they will usually be the first point of contact in post-conviction matters (...).” (ref.2)
8. “For pre-trial issues the police will usually be the appropriate contact point. Local arrangements are generally well established (...).” (ref.2)
When a Crown court trial begins, the media are free to publish immediately a fully what occurs in it when the jury is present in the court room. Until the jury has returned with the verdict in the trial, no report should publish any matter discussed in court, or rulings made. Jury is sworn in a legal oath to try the case according to the evidence. After that “the counsel opens the case, the evidence is outlined and state relevant law. Then prosecution witnesses will give evidence. The sequence of Crown court trial, as regards speeches by lawyers, and questioning, cross-examination and re-examination of prosecution and defence witnesses, is usually the same as occurs in trials conducted by magistrates. “ (ref.1) After all has been heard the prosecuting “counsel in most cases makes a closing speech to the jury, and this is followed by the defence’s closing speech. Further on in the case the judge sums up the case and the jury can go to the jury room to decide on verdict(s). “(ref.1)
At Crown court judges rule on law and decode on punishment, and in trials juries decide whether each charge is proved. Juries can reach a verdict by a majority, but the media should not report the fact that an acquittal was by majority decision. After the verdict has been decided the” defendant convicted at the Crown court can seek to appeal to the Court of Appeal, and thereafter possibly to the House of Lords/Supreme court. “ (ref.1)
The Crown Court can also “act as a court of appeal from magistrates courts, as regards conviction or sentence (...) and the High court is also an appeal court, for certain matters.” (ref.1)
References:
1. All the information is either paraphrased or taken directly from McNae’s, Essential law for journalists, 20th edition
2. http://www.cps.gov.uk/Publications/agencies/mediaprotocol.html
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Definitions of wrongdoing and criminal cases at the Magistrates court from McNae’s ‘essential law for jouranalists’
In essential law for journalists McNae’s groups criminal charges into three main categories: indictable-only, either-way, and summary. The term indictable-only derives from the term ‘indictment’, which is the name for a document used to record the charges against a defendant at Crown Court. INDICTABLE CASES (triable only by indictment), are serious matter- usually carrying a possible jail sentence of five years or more, they can only be dealt through a trial at the CROWN COURT. (ref.1) EITHER-WAY offences can be tried summarily there and then, or by indictment at CROWN COURT.” (ref.2) such charges can be dealt with either at a Crown court or at a magistrates’ court, hence either-way term. The cases are regarded to me of lesser magnitude, if it is decided that the case can be directed into crown court. Summary offences, on the other hand, cover minor offences (drink driving, speeding etc.) and therefore the summary charges are dealt with in magistrates courts mostly. (ref.1)
Offences that do not require prosecution to prove guilty intent are said to be of ‘strict liability’, and are also called ‘absolute offences’. Also if an offence is ‘strict liability’, the defendant can be convicted even if she/he had no clear ‘intent’ of wrongdoing. (ref1)
Speaking of wrongdoing in McNae’s textbook defines many types of crime that cover offences against people. Murder is defined as an unlawful killing of another human being with intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. For this crime an adult would be sentenced to life imprisonment (indictable-only).
It is essential for journalists to know differences of crimes as during reporting it is easy to confuse the type of crime when not knowing the full description of certain crime.
Manslaughter which is also an unlawful killing of another person but in the absence of malice aforethought and the defendant may be find not guilty of murder (indictable-only). Within this offence, if it involves an organization like police or government departments and if it causes a person’s death in the circumstances of a gross breach of their public duty and led or organized by a senior management was a substantial element in that breach it is called corporate manslaughter. (ref.1)
Causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult offence is also classed s indictable-only. Infanticide is when killing infant under 12 months old by its mother when mother’s mind is disturbed as a result of the birth. If there was a situation that someone would help another person to commit suicide or attempt it would be called aiding suicide. Assault, common assault, battery, assault by beating can mean an attack or a hostile act like a threatening gesture which causes another person to fear an attack and is proven as intentional or reckless. The common assault charge does not necessarily imply a physical assault. Assault occasioning actual bodily harm crime (ABH a section 47 offence, either-way), in which harm need not be permanent but must be more than trifling (eg. psychiatric illness). (ref.1)
Another either-way charge is called wounding or inflicting grievous body harm (GBH), must be proven that the perpetrator intended or foresaw causing some harm which caused a wound or serious harm. Couple more of indictable-only charges are wounding with intent/inflicting grievous body harm ‘with intent’ under section 18 of the 1861 Act and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. And rape which is also indictable-only. (ref.1)
When talking about crimes against property we distinguish theft (either-way) as dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it. The act of theft is stealing not a robbery as the robbery is theft by force or by a threat of force and is indictable-only. Handling is dishonestly receiving goods, believing them to be stolen or even helping to do so (either-way). (ref.1)
Burglary is entering a building as a trespasser and then stealing or attempting to steal from it or inflicting or attempting to inflict GBH to anyone in it; or making such trespassing entry to a building with intent to either steal or inflict GBH or intent to do unlawful damage. There can also be an aggravated burglary while being armed with fire arm or an imitation firearm or any other weapon. (ref.1)
Under the Fraud act 2006, there are now general offences of fraud defined as conduct ‘with a view to gain or with intent to cause loss’. Fraud offences are either-way and conspiracy to defraud remains a common law. Blackmailing is classed as indictable-only. Taking a vehicle without authority and aggravated vehicle taking are also either-way offences. (ref.1)
Being on the topic of motoring crimes the ones that are classed as such are also dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving, careless or inconsiderate driving and doing so and causing death by it. Another motoring crime is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, driving with excess alcohol and the crime of causing death by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs. (ref.1)
The most serious cases, including all indictable-only charges are dealt with by Crown courts because magistrates have limited powers to sentence in the event of conviction. An indictable-only case will, at preliminary case be ‘sent for trial’ to the Crown court. (ref.1)
When a defendant on an indictable-only charge appears before a magistrates court this is classed as a preliminary hearing as the case is en route to Crown court. Sending for trial may occur on defendant’s first appearance before magistrates, where there may be jury trial already like for example at Crown court where the defendant pleads guilty. Next step is arraignment when formal plea is taken from the defendant at the magistrates court.
In case of preliminary hearings in magistrates courts for either-way cases, they are for decisions on bail and, in each case, for procedure which determines at which venue it will be dealt with (magistrates or crown court). In plea-before-venue procedure the defendant is asked how she/he intends to plea (guilty/not guilty). If the defendant pleas guilty then at this stage can be sentenced by magistrates unless after hearing more details of the offence it is decided that the punishment powers are insufficient and therefore the defendant should be committed for sentence to the Crown court for a judge there to do sentencing.
If the defendant pleas otherwise a mode of trial hearing follows. After the hearing from prosecution and defense about the alleged crime, it is decided if the case can be dealt with in a summary. If the alleged either-way crime is too serious the case will be adjourned for committal hearing before another set of magistrates who will decide whether to take it to the crown court or not. If magistrates agree to offer a summary trial, the defendant is asked if he/she wants summary or jury trial. If jury trial is chosen the case will be adjourned for a committal hearing – which is another type of preliminary hearing - and if the defendant chooses otherwise the case will be taken to magistrates court. (ref.1)
If a magistrates refuse to try the either-way charge, or the defendant makes the choice of jury trial, that charge will subsequently considered in a committal hearing and in it the defendant will be committed to the Crown court for a trial if there is sufficient evidence.
If the defendant admits an either way offence magistrates may sentence him/her, but may decide to commit him/her to Crown court for jury trial. (ref.1)
If it is for summary cases, magistrates try them too and if they choose to and the defendant agrees, either-way cases. Trials and sentencing in magistrates courts are known as summary proceedings and the magistrates have range of sentencing options if a defendant is convicted there because of guilty plea or in a trial. (ref.1)
And finally, in magistrates as well as in the Crown court a defendant may be granted bail until his/her case’s next hearing, but otherwise is remanded to prison custody. (ref.1)
References:
1. All the information is either paraphrased or taken directly from McNae’s, Essential law for journalists, 20th edition
Offences that do not require prosecution to prove guilty intent are said to be of ‘strict liability’, and are also called ‘absolute offences’. Also if an offence is ‘strict liability’, the defendant can be convicted even if she/he had no clear ‘intent’ of wrongdoing. (ref1)
Speaking of wrongdoing in McNae’s textbook defines many types of crime that cover offences against people. Murder is defined as an unlawful killing of another human being with intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. For this crime an adult would be sentenced to life imprisonment (indictable-only).
It is essential for journalists to know differences of crimes as during reporting it is easy to confuse the type of crime when not knowing the full description of certain crime.
Manslaughter which is also an unlawful killing of another person but in the absence of malice aforethought and the defendant may be find not guilty of murder (indictable-only). Within this offence, if it involves an organization like police or government departments and if it causes a person’s death in the circumstances of a gross breach of their public duty and led or organized by a senior management was a substantial element in that breach it is called corporate manslaughter. (ref.1)
Causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable adult offence is also classed s indictable-only. Infanticide is when killing infant under 12 months old by its mother when mother’s mind is disturbed as a result of the birth. If there was a situation that someone would help another person to commit suicide or attempt it would be called aiding suicide. Assault, common assault, battery, assault by beating can mean an attack or a hostile act like a threatening gesture which causes another person to fear an attack and is proven as intentional or reckless. The common assault charge does not necessarily imply a physical assault. Assault occasioning actual bodily harm crime (ABH a section 47 offence, either-way), in which harm need not be permanent but must be more than trifling (eg. psychiatric illness). (ref.1)
Another either-way charge is called wounding or inflicting grievous body harm (GBH), must be proven that the perpetrator intended or foresaw causing some harm which caused a wound or serious harm. Couple more of indictable-only charges are wounding with intent/inflicting grievous body harm ‘with intent’ under section 18 of the 1861 Act and carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. And rape which is also indictable-only. (ref.1)
When talking about crimes against property we distinguish theft (either-way) as dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the other of it. The act of theft is stealing not a robbery as the robbery is theft by force or by a threat of force and is indictable-only. Handling is dishonestly receiving goods, believing them to be stolen or even helping to do so (either-way). (ref.1)
Burglary is entering a building as a trespasser and then stealing or attempting to steal from it or inflicting or attempting to inflict GBH to anyone in it; or making such trespassing entry to a building with intent to either steal or inflict GBH or intent to do unlawful damage. There can also be an aggravated burglary while being armed with fire arm or an imitation firearm or any other weapon. (ref.1)
Under the Fraud act 2006, there are now general offences of fraud defined as conduct ‘with a view to gain or with intent to cause loss’. Fraud offences are either-way and conspiracy to defraud remains a common law. Blackmailing is classed as indictable-only. Taking a vehicle without authority and aggravated vehicle taking are also either-way offences. (ref.1)
Being on the topic of motoring crimes the ones that are classed as such are also dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving, careless or inconsiderate driving and doing so and causing death by it. Another motoring crime is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, driving with excess alcohol and the crime of causing death by careless driving when under influence of drink or drugs. (ref.1)
The most serious cases, including all indictable-only charges are dealt with by Crown courts because magistrates have limited powers to sentence in the event of conviction. An indictable-only case will, at preliminary case be ‘sent for trial’ to the Crown court. (ref.1)
When a defendant on an indictable-only charge appears before a magistrates court this is classed as a preliminary hearing as the case is en route to Crown court. Sending for trial may occur on defendant’s first appearance before magistrates, where there may be jury trial already like for example at Crown court where the defendant pleads guilty. Next step is arraignment when formal plea is taken from the defendant at the magistrates court.
In case of preliminary hearings in magistrates courts for either-way cases, they are for decisions on bail and, in each case, for procedure which determines at which venue it will be dealt with (magistrates or crown court). In plea-before-venue procedure the defendant is asked how she/he intends to plea (guilty/not guilty). If the defendant pleas guilty then at this stage can be sentenced by magistrates unless after hearing more details of the offence it is decided that the punishment powers are insufficient and therefore the defendant should be committed for sentence to the Crown court for a judge there to do sentencing.
If the defendant pleas otherwise a mode of trial hearing follows. After the hearing from prosecution and defense about the alleged crime, it is decided if the case can be dealt with in a summary. If the alleged either-way crime is too serious the case will be adjourned for committal hearing before another set of magistrates who will decide whether to take it to the crown court or not. If magistrates agree to offer a summary trial, the defendant is asked if he/she wants summary or jury trial. If jury trial is chosen the case will be adjourned for a committal hearing – which is another type of preliminary hearing - and if the defendant chooses otherwise the case will be taken to magistrates court. (ref.1)
If a magistrates refuse to try the either-way charge, or the defendant makes the choice of jury trial, that charge will subsequently considered in a committal hearing and in it the defendant will be committed to the Crown court for a trial if there is sufficient evidence.
If the defendant admits an either way offence magistrates may sentence him/her, but may decide to commit him/her to Crown court for jury trial. (ref.1)
If it is for summary cases, magistrates try them too and if they choose to and the defendant agrees, either-way cases. Trials and sentencing in magistrates courts are known as summary proceedings and the magistrates have range of sentencing options if a defendant is convicted there because of guilty plea or in a trial. (ref.1)
And finally, in magistrates as well as in the Crown court a defendant may be granted bail until his/her case’s next hearing, but otherwise is remanded to prison custody. (ref.1)
References:
1. All the information is either paraphrased or taken directly from McNae’s, Essential law for journalists, 20th edition
Journalists must always be fast accurate and fair and avoid contempt of court
“If in doubt leave it out!” (ref.3)
To understand better how law affects journalists it is essential to know the risks of Prejudice and Contempt that comes with reporting the courts or any other cases that could potentially have legal issues. Risk of prejudice leads to a contempt. “When covering crime stories, there are defamation dangers, because of libel risk in indentifying, prior to any charge/summons/requisition, anyone as being suspected of, or under investigation for, a crime.” (ref.1) Contempt follows from prejudicing court preceding that is why it is crucial that journalists make judgments as the story unfolds, and there are contempt of court dangers because an arrest have been made, or a charge/summons or an arrest warrant that would make a case ‘active’ under the Contempt of Court act 1981. (ref.1)
Essential rules for reporters are that our reports must always be fair, accurate, contemporaneous (can’t report without a delay, within a next deadline of the publication) an when reporting the courts have no recording equipment as only pen and paper are allowed to the court gallery (only shorthand and notes are available).
Before the trial is announced, as journalists, we can use more material (video for example), when a potential offender we can still keep some of the material for reporting. When the right offender is found and the time of court trial is announced journalists are automatically limited, less detail allowed no more usage of material from before (when the case was in the middle of researching for the offender), all that is due to the risk of Prejudice being made before the trial. As soon as the trial ends the journalist still have to wait till the verdict is announced. At this stage all previous material (article, pictures, video) has to be taken off as the case can still be active. (ref.3)
The case is legally ‘active’ beginning of the moment when the police make an arrest, issue of an arrest warrants; Magistrates issue a summons and most definitely when a person is charged. As soon as any of the above appears on the agenda the journalist is in danger for Prejudice and in risk of Contempt of Court.
To read more on reporting restrictions at the Crown court for example read Criminal cases in the Crown court and what can we and cannot report from the Crown court - McNae’s 20th edition - here
Within the CONTEMPT OF COURT Act 1981 publication of any material which might prejudice a fair trial; reporting opinions expressed by jurors; anything which interferes with the course of justice; any breach of a court order. (ref.2)
Committal/ preliminary proceedings restricted to avoid prejudicing potential jurors.
No details of actual case circumstances may be reported. Only: Name & age; Address & occupation; Charge(s); Date & place of Crown Court hearing; Bail & legal aid conditions; Names of counsel. (ref.2) If we know that a person is held by a police, they have 24 hours for questioning which can be then extended to 12 hours by a senior officer. Further 36 hours can be allowed for the person to be kept if Magistrates agree and it should not be extended over 96 hours, except in terror aspects which can allow 28 days for the person to be held. Most prosecutions are the responsibility of a local department called the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). If for example a suspect is not charged but the police want more time to complete investigations, the person can be given police bail to return to a police station at a later date. (ref.1)
“Guidelines issued to police by the Association of Chief police Officers (ACPO) state that generally people under investigation should not be named to the media prior to any charge but that some details, e.g. that the person is ‘a 27 year old man from Brighton’, may be released, provided they do not identify the suspect.” (ref.1) Also the Queens’s Bench Divisional Court ruled in 1991 that “press has no automatic right to be told by the police the name of a person being investigated or who has been charged with a criminal offence (R v Secretary of state for the Home Department, ex p Westminster press Ltd [1991] The Times 18 December).” (ref.1)
“Reporting restrictions under the section 8 of Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 apply to media reports of a case’s preliminary hearing(s) in the magistrates court if the case has potential for jury trial.” (ref.1)
Pre-trial report (before anything that involves jury), can hold seven crucial points: names of defendants, ages, addresses, occupation; charges faced or a close summary; name of court and magistrates’ names; name of solicitors or barristers present; date and place where the case is to be adjured (ref.3)
The key stages at the trial involve: prosecution opening, key prosecution witnesses, defence opening, key defence witness, judges ‘summing up’, jury sent out (deliberation & verdict), sentencing. (ref.3)
If any of the cases involve children or young people it is important for a journalist to remember that juvenile is now legally until being 18 (under 18s generally enjoy anonymity). It is crucial to avoid accidental identification of the juvenile (eg. Schools, public places). Additionally, to the youth powers belong verdicts like detention orders, community detention, parenting order and in the most serious offences the case can even be turned into the crown court. (ref.3) In a youth court case anonymity is bestowed on a juvenile witness.
A criminal prosecution is initiated by a person being charged e.g. at a police station, or by a magistrate issuing a summons or arrest warrant, or by the written charge and requisition procedure. The initial court appearance for someone thus formally accused of crime will always be at magistrates’ court. (ref.1)
Language of courts
Going into a further research it is important for a journalist to know the differences in language when reporting for criminal offences and what to say in civil cases. For example defendants are accused of a criminal offence not at civil one, and at the same time the defendant is prosecuted in a criminal court (we can’t say that the defendant in a county court/with a civil offence is being prosecuted as this language is used for Criminal courts. In criminal courts we have prosecution and in civil that role goes to a claimant who takes a legal action. So as we would say that the defendant is prosecuted (in a criminal case) it civil court we would use a phrase ‘sued for damages’. Further on when announcing the verdict, when the defendant loses the case we would say ‘is found guilty’ (/not guilty if hasn’t committed the crime) whereas in the civil case the defendant that loses ‘is held liable’ (or not liable if hasn’t committed any offence). In Criminal court the court’s order is called sentencing and in civil court it would be simply called either the ‘decision of the court’ or the ‘judges’ decision’. (ref.1)
It is crucial to not only know the language of the courts but also definitions of terms used in courts like for example types of crimes and whether they are indictable-only or either way. More on this subject I show in other article called Definitions of wrongdoing and criminal cases at the Magistrates court from McNae’s ‘essential law for journalists’.
To basic legal principles for a citizen we can easily include the facts like the one that “anyone accused of crime is entitled to the presumption of innocence” (ref.2) - they must be treated as innocent until found guilty in a criminal court. At the same time ‘the standard of proof in criminal cases is “beyond reasonable doubt” or as judges sometimes put it the just must be “sure” that the person is guilty of the crime they are accused of before they can return a guilty verdict.’ (ref.2) Furthermore, trials must be held public and unless there is a strong reason why it shouldn’t like for example a matter of national security, protection of children or identity of rape victims.” Judges must make case each time they attempt to hear a case in private” (ref.2), and such rulings are subject to challenge by the public including press. (ref.2) Also to as a basic citizens’ principle is “the right to have evidence test by jury of peers” (ref.2), in other words evidence-based justice.
On the other hand, if we talk about rules of the criminal court, it is worth remembering that unlike in magistrate courts (no jury except in the case of libel as it happens) in criminal cases jury decides on innocence or guilt. Their decisions are to be statistically correct across section of the population local to the crown court. The team of barristers at the crown court has to prove their case to jury ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ using witnesses. “In rare cases the accused will defend themselves and they have a right to do so.” (ref.2)
Solicitors, on the other hand, are “more general and the name comes from their role in finding the best barrister to defend the accused.” (ref.2)
The judge is there to decide on admissibility of evidence, and advise the jury on points of law, to make sure the court is orderly and runs smoothly as well as to summarize the case for the jury at the end and decide on the sentence once innocence/guilt has been decided by the jury. Important issue for journalists in here is to remember that the danger of contempt of court goes away once a verdict is given and the jury is dismissed.(ref.2).
“There are six crown court areas in England, known as circuits - each has two presiding judges. The Old Bailey in London is the central criminal court. Winchester is another major criminal court and the main court of southern circuit.” (ref.2)
“Crown courts try serious crime, with three types of judges: HIGH court: Mr Justice Smith;
CIRCUIT court: Judge John Smith; CITY CROWN court, ie London, Manchester: Recorder Mr John Smith” (ref.2) Key functions of Crown Courts are to try indictable offences sent for trial by magistrates; deal with cases sent for sentence and hear the appeal.
The civil functions of the Magistrates courts on the other hand are family matters - husband & wife (Press largely excluded); divorce matters (Restrictions on reporting) and child welfare/ supervision (Restrictions on reporting). The Magistrates courts are run by three magistrates or legal professionals and even though there are no judges, they can act as judges AND jury in minor cases, where the maximum penalty is a fine of up to £5,000 or a six month prison sentence.(ref.2) All processing of crime starts at a magistrates’ court. The magistrates can/must do one of three things: administer summary justice where the case is not very serious and also decide on the punishment. A person who pleads not guilty in magistrates’ court can have legal representation and make a case. If they are convicted, they can appeal to crown court. (ref.2)
“An individual citizen can, by the laying of information before a magistrate, initiate a prosecution to seek to prove that someone is guilty of a crime, even if police, the CPS, or any other public prosecuting agency has already calculated there is no or insufficient evidence. This capacity for any citizen to launch such a ‘private prosecution’ is seen as a fundamental right to counter-balance any inertia or partially by police or other such agencies when crime is alleged. “(ref.1)
Last but not least as a journalist you have protection from prosecution for either contempt of court and also from an action for libel because you have qualified privilege (QP).
References:
1. McNae’s Essential law for journalists, 20th edition
2. Media law notes by Chris Horrie from week 2: http://www.winchesterjournalism.co.uk/
3. Media law lecture week 2
4. Crown Prosecution Service: www.cps.gov.uk/legal/index.html
5. Press Complaints Commission guidance note ‘on the reporting of people accused of crime’ www.pcc.org.uk/news/index.html?article=OtA=/
To understand better how law affects journalists it is essential to know the risks of Prejudice and Contempt that comes with reporting the courts or any other cases that could potentially have legal issues. Risk of prejudice leads to a contempt. “When covering crime stories, there are defamation dangers, because of libel risk in indentifying, prior to any charge/summons/requisition, anyone as being suspected of, or under investigation for, a crime.” (ref.1) Contempt follows from prejudicing court preceding that is why it is crucial that journalists make judgments as the story unfolds, and there are contempt of court dangers because an arrest have been made, or a charge/summons or an arrest warrant that would make a case ‘active’ under the Contempt of Court act 1981. (ref.1)
Essential rules for reporters are that our reports must always be fair, accurate, contemporaneous (can’t report without a delay, within a next deadline of the publication) an when reporting the courts have no recording equipment as only pen and paper are allowed to the court gallery (only shorthand and notes are available).
Before the trial is announced, as journalists, we can use more material (video for example), when a potential offender we can still keep some of the material for reporting. When the right offender is found and the time of court trial is announced journalists are automatically limited, less detail allowed no more usage of material from before (when the case was in the middle of researching for the offender), all that is due to the risk of Prejudice being made before the trial. As soon as the trial ends the journalist still have to wait till the verdict is announced. At this stage all previous material (article, pictures, video) has to be taken off as the case can still be active. (ref.3)
The case is legally ‘active’ beginning of the moment when the police make an arrest, issue of an arrest warrants; Magistrates issue a summons and most definitely when a person is charged. As soon as any of the above appears on the agenda the journalist is in danger for Prejudice and in risk of Contempt of Court.
To read more on reporting restrictions at the Crown court for example read Criminal cases in the Crown court and what can we and cannot report from the Crown court - McNae’s 20th edition - here
Within the CONTEMPT OF COURT Act 1981 publication of any material which might prejudice a fair trial; reporting opinions expressed by jurors; anything which interferes with the course of justice; any breach of a court order. (ref.2)
Committal/ preliminary proceedings restricted to avoid prejudicing potential jurors.
No details of actual case circumstances may be reported. Only: Name & age; Address & occupation; Charge(s); Date & place of Crown Court hearing; Bail & legal aid conditions; Names of counsel. (ref.2) If we know that a person is held by a police, they have 24 hours for questioning which can be then extended to 12 hours by a senior officer. Further 36 hours can be allowed for the person to be kept if Magistrates agree and it should not be extended over 96 hours, except in terror aspects which can allow 28 days for the person to be held. Most prosecutions are the responsibility of a local department called the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). If for example a suspect is not charged but the police want more time to complete investigations, the person can be given police bail to return to a police station at a later date. (ref.1)
“Guidelines issued to police by the Association of Chief police Officers (ACPO) state that generally people under investigation should not be named to the media prior to any charge but that some details, e.g. that the person is ‘a 27 year old man from Brighton’, may be released, provided they do not identify the suspect.” (ref.1) Also the Queens’s Bench Divisional Court ruled in 1991 that “press has no automatic right to be told by the police the name of a person being investigated or who has been charged with a criminal offence (R v Secretary of state for the Home Department, ex p Westminster press Ltd [1991] The Times 18 December).” (ref.1)
“Reporting restrictions under the section 8 of Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 apply to media reports of a case’s preliminary hearing(s) in the magistrates court if the case has potential for jury trial.” (ref.1)
Pre-trial report (before anything that involves jury), can hold seven crucial points: names of defendants, ages, addresses, occupation; charges faced or a close summary; name of court and magistrates’ names; name of solicitors or barristers present; date and place where the case is to be adjured (ref.3)
The key stages at the trial involve: prosecution opening, key prosecution witnesses, defence opening, key defence witness, judges ‘summing up’, jury sent out (deliberation & verdict), sentencing. (ref.3)
If any of the cases involve children or young people it is important for a journalist to remember that juvenile is now legally until being 18 (under 18s generally enjoy anonymity). It is crucial to avoid accidental identification of the juvenile (eg. Schools, public places). Additionally, to the youth powers belong verdicts like detention orders, community detention, parenting order and in the most serious offences the case can even be turned into the crown court. (ref.3) In a youth court case anonymity is bestowed on a juvenile witness.
A criminal prosecution is initiated by a person being charged e.g. at a police station, or by a magistrate issuing a summons or arrest warrant, or by the written charge and requisition procedure. The initial court appearance for someone thus formally accused of crime will always be at magistrates’ court. (ref.1)
Language of courts
Going into a further research it is important for a journalist to know the differences in language when reporting for criminal offences and what to say in civil cases. For example defendants are accused of a criminal offence not at civil one, and at the same time the defendant is prosecuted in a criminal court (we can’t say that the defendant in a county court/with a civil offence is being prosecuted as this language is used for Criminal courts. In criminal courts we have prosecution and in civil that role goes to a claimant who takes a legal action. So as we would say that the defendant is prosecuted (in a criminal case) it civil court we would use a phrase ‘sued for damages’. Further on when announcing the verdict, when the defendant loses the case we would say ‘is found guilty’ (/not guilty if hasn’t committed the crime) whereas in the civil case the defendant that loses ‘is held liable’ (or not liable if hasn’t committed any offence). In Criminal court the court’s order is called sentencing and in civil court it would be simply called either the ‘decision of the court’ or the ‘judges’ decision’. (ref.1)
It is crucial to not only know the language of the courts but also definitions of terms used in courts like for example types of crimes and whether they are indictable-only or either way. More on this subject I show in other article called Definitions of wrongdoing and criminal cases at the Magistrates court from McNae’s ‘essential law for journalists’.
To basic legal principles for a citizen we can easily include the facts like the one that “anyone accused of crime is entitled to the presumption of innocence” (ref.2) - they must be treated as innocent until found guilty in a criminal court. At the same time ‘the standard of proof in criminal cases is “beyond reasonable doubt” or as judges sometimes put it the just must be “sure” that the person is guilty of the crime they are accused of before they can return a guilty verdict.’ (ref.2) Furthermore, trials must be held public and unless there is a strong reason why it shouldn’t like for example a matter of national security, protection of children or identity of rape victims.” Judges must make case each time they attempt to hear a case in private” (ref.2), and such rulings are subject to challenge by the public including press. (ref.2) Also to as a basic citizens’ principle is “the right to have evidence test by jury of peers” (ref.2), in other words evidence-based justice.
On the other hand, if we talk about rules of the criminal court, it is worth remembering that unlike in magistrate courts (no jury except in the case of libel as it happens) in criminal cases jury decides on innocence or guilt. Their decisions are to be statistically correct across section of the population local to the crown court. The team of barristers at the crown court has to prove their case to jury ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ using witnesses. “In rare cases the accused will defend themselves and they have a right to do so.” (ref.2)
Solicitors, on the other hand, are “more general and the name comes from their role in finding the best barrister to defend the accused.” (ref.2)
The judge is there to decide on admissibility of evidence, and advise the jury on points of law, to make sure the court is orderly and runs smoothly as well as to summarize the case for the jury at the end and decide on the sentence once innocence/guilt has been decided by the jury. Important issue for journalists in here is to remember that the danger of contempt of court goes away once a verdict is given and the jury is dismissed.(ref.2).
“There are six crown court areas in England, known as circuits - each has two presiding judges. The Old Bailey in London is the central criminal court. Winchester is another major criminal court and the main court of southern circuit.” (ref.2)
“Crown courts try serious crime, with three types of judges: HIGH court: Mr Justice Smith;
CIRCUIT court: Judge John Smith; CITY CROWN court, ie London, Manchester: Recorder Mr John Smith” (ref.2) Key functions of Crown Courts are to try indictable offences sent for trial by magistrates; deal with cases sent for sentence and hear the appeal.
The civil functions of the Magistrates courts on the other hand are family matters - husband & wife (Press largely excluded); divorce matters (Restrictions on reporting) and child welfare/ supervision (Restrictions on reporting). The Magistrates courts are run by three magistrates or legal professionals and even though there are no judges, they can act as judges AND jury in minor cases, where the maximum penalty is a fine of up to £5,000 or a six month prison sentence.(ref.2) All processing of crime starts at a magistrates’ court. The magistrates can/must do one of three things: administer summary justice where the case is not very serious and also decide on the punishment. A person who pleads not guilty in magistrates’ court can have legal representation and make a case. If they are convicted, they can appeal to crown court. (ref.2)
“An individual citizen can, by the laying of information before a magistrate, initiate a prosecution to seek to prove that someone is guilty of a crime, even if police, the CPS, or any other public prosecuting agency has already calculated there is no or insufficient evidence. This capacity for any citizen to launch such a ‘private prosecution’ is seen as a fundamental right to counter-balance any inertia or partially by police or other such agencies when crime is alleged. “(ref.1)
Last but not least as a journalist you have protection from prosecution for either contempt of court and also from an action for libel because you have qualified privilege (QP).
References:
1. McNae’s Essential law for journalists, 20th edition
2. Media law notes by Chris Horrie from week 2: http://www.winchesterjournalism.co.uk/
3. Media law lecture week 2
4. Crown Prosecution Service: www.cps.gov.uk/legal/index.html
5. Press Complaints Commission guidance note ‘on the reporting of people accused of crime’ www.pcc.org.uk/news/index.html?article=OtA=/
Sunday, 24 October 2010
The law & press - "Press are the eyes and the ears of the public" (wk1)
“Press are the eyes and the ears of the public, to whom they report”, Lord Bingham (ref.1)
McNae also gives that Lord Bingham said that “the proper functioning of a modern participatory democracy requires that the media be free, active, professional and enquiring” and that is as long as when working for the public interest (certain information is valuable to the society).
The press is free in UK and journalism can be therefore called " ‘the fourth estate’ - the body of professional who police the criminal justice system and act as the public’s eyes and ears - 'a bloodhound as well as a watchdog' ”. (ref.2) And court reporters exercise watchdog role on the justice system having at the same time not much more than the same rights as citizens of this country protecting them in difficult or controversial situations surrounding some of the reporting techniques.
Nowadays media have better protection against libel actions; act from 1960 applies the protection of Qualified Privilege. *(more on Privilege in post from week 4- in here)
Thanks to freedom of expression, everyone (including press) in Uk has a right to communicate information and ideas. Without this right Democracy wouldn’t exit. Textbooks like McNae give that until 2000 UK had ‘residual’ rights – making people free to do whatever law does not prohibit. Before the constitution embedded from European law the law was set by law-jury trial and the rule against prior restraint. After the European Convention of Human Rights was adopted directly into UK law human rights became codified (incl. Freedom of Expression).
Two provisions in section one of the convention - article 8 (which establishes a right to privacy) and article 10 (which is a right to freedom of expression) are of special concern to journalists.
Privacy Act in Convention (Art 8) did not previously exist within UK law but constant changes to adjust UK conventions to Human Rights act led to developments within case law. The case law is the system by which reporters of previous cases and the judges ‘interpretation of the common law can be used as a precedent where the legally material facts are similar’.
This part of the law acts as a “lawsuit which protects privacy by an individual to prevent publication of a story about his/her personal life, or of a picture or film which is argued to breach his/her privacy, or for lawsuit to seek damages is such material has already been published.” (ref.1) For journalists the most important part of the Convention is Article 10 Freedom of Expression thanks to which “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall not include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority.” (ref.1)
Journalism itself is intimately related to Human Rights and the rule of law in a free society, with free speech and the right of the citizen to express themselves to the public good. (ref.2)
Journalism and law are closely related professions. "Criminal law such as contempt of court places grave restraint on what journalists can write or broadcast and presents a constant danger of imprisonment or fines. Civil law such as the law of libel can result in multimillion pound claims for damages and compensation." (ref.2) A professional journalist needs to be very familiar with branches of the law. The law is important to journalists not only because it is a fantastic source of news but also it is a constraint on the actions of journalists. Press can see this aim to be of such principle that sometimes the forms of obtaining that information can be questionable (undercover journalism). Within this idea hides the main conflicting idea of obtaining information that is created because of two opposite sections within the European law, Freedom of Expression and the Privacy Act. (ref.2)
Within the law of Defamation, libel and slander “strikes a balance between the media being free to express wrongdoing and individual being able to defend reputation from baseless attacks.” (ref.1)
Contempt of Court Act 1981 restricts reporting in the court and this could be also seen as restriction on freedom of expression (recent example: Coroners & Justice Bill 2009 & Counter Terrorism Act 2008, McNae's, ch1.).
Another type of restrictions put on press are so called Injunctions (recent example: Lilly Allen who complaint about press crossing the line and disturbing her right to privacy). Injunctions are “stopping publication when media organisation plans to air matter which an individual argues will breach his/her privacy or duty of confidence owed to it.” (ref.1)
PUBLIC INTEREST
The Public interest is the main priority for a journalist to pursue their inspiration, “the information’s value to society is argued to be particularly high, or potentially so.” (ref.1)
Acting in the Public interest is supported by The Freedom of expression law and Qualified Privilege or Absolute Privilege in certain circumstances. “Under the European Communities Act from 1972 the UK is part of European Union, EU treaties and other EU law are thus part of UK law. “(ref.1) After World War II, Western European nations signed a treaty creating the Council of Europe which was a body that would promote individual freedom, political liberty, and the rule of law.(ref.1) This council’s rules led to a further treaty, The European Convention for Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECtHR), which includes fundamental laws like right to life, freedom off torture or freedom of expression. The European Court of Human Rights was created to which individuals can take their case to this court to argue that a signatory nation has failed to protect them from, or to sufficiently compensate them for , a breach of Convention right by a public authority. (ref.1)
The Human Rights Act 1998, that came to force 2 October 2000 increased influences of the Convention and the ECtHR on UK courts because the act integrated the Convention into UK law.
The UK does not have a written constitution or "fundamental law". Going back to ancient rules of services of law, in England there is still a common law tradition and the constitution is based on historic documents (eg the Magna Carta); there is also statute law (Acts of Parliament) and case law (the actual decisions made by judges and juries). Case law is a general term used when speaking of sources of law.
The fount of justice" in the UK is "above the law" and can't be made to answer for her actions in court. This might seem quaint but since the elected Prime Minister by tradition has inherited all the powers of the Monarch (defined by lawyers as "The Crown in Parliament" acting with The Royal Prerogative) This evolution from absolutist Monarchy means that the modern Prime Minister combines in practice the role of head of the legislature (since the Prime Minister must be the head of the biggest party in parliament). (ref.2)
"The Prime Minister is actually held in check by the courts, by the House of Lords and by the Act of Settlement which limits the power of the Monarch and the executive and, in theory, denies the Monarch (and the Prime Minister) the right to rule without the consent of Parliament. But these checks are not as strong as the explicit separation of powers doctrine enshrined in the US constitution and its institutions." (ref.2)
CROWN, everything in English law flows around it. Into the law structure in the UK we can distinguish Criminal and Civil divisions. Within the hierarchy of courts we have the highest and the last stage of Appeal in European Court of Justice, lower down Supreme Court, The Court of Appeal and the High Court. Before this stage the matters will spread depending on the division (criminal/civil). Criminal offences will be dealt with in the Crown Court, civil in the County Court, further down from the Crown Court we would move onto Magistrates' Court and from County Courts into Tribunals.
CIVIL LAW deals with disputes between citizens where the community at large is not much affected, except by the need for there to be a way of resolving disputes. Civil disputes include divorce and actions for libel; where two parties to a dispute want the matter settled with justice; or where one person is demanding compensation from another. (Smith vs Smith; as opposed to R (ie the Queen or the state) vs Smith, as in the criminal courts.) (ref.2)
The Diane Blood case is a good example of civil law developing in action, and creating precedent.
Looking into language of courts it is essential to remember that the person taking the action is called the plaintiff and the person the action is taken against is called the defendant. If the defendant loses we do not say he is "guilty" we say the court has found against him or held him liable and, usually, ordered him to pay compensation (and legal costs). (ref.2)
After a writ has been issued the trial will be set down to be heard in the appropriate branch of the High Court or - if the judges decide - in a County Court (a more junior, regional version of the High Court). Most CIVIL cases are held without juries, except for libel. Journalists have access to County Courts, writ room and even to a written transcript of the trial (though this may not always be available, and is extremely expensive). (ref.2) Importantly, in civil cases a judge (and jury if present) decides the justice of the matter on the "balance of probabilities" when considering evidence. This makes life more difficult for defendants (for example journalists in libel cases) than in a criminal court (see below) where the important principle of the "presumption of innocence" means that the prosecution case has to be proved "beyond reasonable" doubt. (ref.2)
CRIMINAL LAW deals with offences against society as a whole (such as murder, violence in general or blasphemy) or offences against another person which - (although they may also be a civil-type dispute between people) are abhorrent to society as a whole. Examples include fraud, dangerous driving, robbery, murder, rape and other types of violence or threatening behaviour.
The main differences between the barrister and the solicitor are that the barrister appears in court representing the client and the solicitor doesn't necessary have to appear in the court, although these days it is likely that they do. As journalists we would be taking our matters to a solicitor rather than barrister.
The Crown Court Prosecution (CPS) decides whether the case will be brought to the court.
Crimes are divided into two main categories, indictable or "arrest-able" offences which are more serious crimes (or accusations of crime), such as a murder, which carry a sentence of more than five years. Once arrested a person must be brought before a Magistrate within 24 hours (the cherished right of Habeas Corpus) and the police must show that there is enough evidence to proceed with the case. The exception is of course suspected terrorism. New legislation - extremely controversial - allows the police to hold suspects much longer while they gather evidence. (ref.2)
And non-indictable offences, accusations of crimes carrying a sentence of less than five years. The police cannot make an arrest for a non-indictable offence - unless there's good reason (eg the person is drunk, a danger to himself or others, or is likely not to turn up a court). Otherwise the accused will receive a summons to turn up at a Magistrates' Court. (ref.2)
Few last points to that are certainly worth mentioning are that it is incredibly important for journalists to not only have a wider knowledge about the legal systems and the constitution in the country they are practising their profession at but also to stay alert to challenges from the sides of unreasonable or unlawful restrictions on their freedom. They have to remember that there are two constitutional bulwarks that protect freedom of expression in UK such as jury trial and rule against prior restraint. And last but not least for a journalist to remember is to follow the Code of Ethics that should guide journalists in their work.
References:
Ref. 1.McNae's Essential law for Journalists (20th Edition)
Ref. 2. Media law and ethics, notes for week 1 of Media Law and ethics module by Chris Horrie
McNae also gives that Lord Bingham said that “the proper functioning of a modern participatory democracy requires that the media be free, active, professional and enquiring” and that is as long as when working for the public interest (certain information is valuable to the society).
The press is free in UK and journalism can be therefore called " ‘the fourth estate’ - the body of professional who police the criminal justice system and act as the public’s eyes and ears - 'a bloodhound as well as a watchdog' ”. (ref.2) And court reporters exercise watchdog role on the justice system having at the same time not much more than the same rights as citizens of this country protecting them in difficult or controversial situations surrounding some of the reporting techniques.
Nowadays media have better protection against libel actions; act from 1960 applies the protection of Qualified Privilege. *(more on Privilege in post from week 4- in here)
Thanks to freedom of expression, everyone (including press) in Uk has a right to communicate information and ideas. Without this right Democracy wouldn’t exit. Textbooks like McNae give that until 2000 UK had ‘residual’ rights – making people free to do whatever law does not prohibit. Before the constitution embedded from European law the law was set by law-jury trial and the rule against prior restraint. After the European Convention of Human Rights was adopted directly into UK law human rights became codified (incl. Freedom of Expression).
Two provisions in section one of the convention - article 8 (which establishes a right to privacy) and article 10 (which is a right to freedom of expression) are of special concern to journalists.
Privacy Act in Convention (Art 8) did not previously exist within UK law but constant changes to adjust UK conventions to Human Rights act led to developments within case law. The case law is the system by which reporters of previous cases and the judges ‘interpretation of the common law can be used as a precedent where the legally material facts are similar’.
This part of the law acts as a “lawsuit which protects privacy by an individual to prevent publication of a story about his/her personal life, or of a picture or film which is argued to breach his/her privacy, or for lawsuit to seek damages is such material has already been published.” (ref.1) For journalists the most important part of the Convention is Article 10 Freedom of Expression thanks to which “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall not include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority.” (ref.1)
Journalism itself is intimately related to Human Rights and the rule of law in a free society, with free speech and the right of the citizen to express themselves to the public good. (ref.2)
Journalism and law are closely related professions. "Criminal law such as contempt of court places grave restraint on what journalists can write or broadcast and presents a constant danger of imprisonment or fines. Civil law such as the law of libel can result in multimillion pound claims for damages and compensation." (ref.2) A professional journalist needs to be very familiar with branches of the law. The law is important to journalists not only because it is a fantastic source of news but also it is a constraint on the actions of journalists. Press can see this aim to be of such principle that sometimes the forms of obtaining that information can be questionable (undercover journalism). Within this idea hides the main conflicting idea of obtaining information that is created because of two opposite sections within the European law, Freedom of Expression and the Privacy Act. (ref.2)
Within the law of Defamation, libel and slander “strikes a balance between the media being free to express wrongdoing and individual being able to defend reputation from baseless attacks.” (ref.1)
Contempt of Court Act 1981 restricts reporting in the court and this could be also seen as restriction on freedom of expression (recent example: Coroners & Justice Bill 2009 & Counter Terrorism Act 2008, McNae's, ch1.).
Another type of restrictions put on press are so called Injunctions (recent example: Lilly Allen who complaint about press crossing the line and disturbing her right to privacy). Injunctions are “stopping publication when media organisation plans to air matter which an individual argues will breach his/her privacy or duty of confidence owed to it.” (ref.1)
PUBLIC INTEREST
The Public interest is the main priority for a journalist to pursue their inspiration, “the information’s value to society is argued to be particularly high, or potentially so.” (ref.1)
Acting in the Public interest is supported by The Freedom of expression law and Qualified Privilege or Absolute Privilege in certain circumstances. “Under the European Communities Act from 1972 the UK is part of European Union, EU treaties and other EU law are thus part of UK law. “(ref.1) After World War II, Western European nations signed a treaty creating the Council of Europe which was a body that would promote individual freedom, political liberty, and the rule of law.(ref.1) This council’s rules led to a further treaty, The European Convention for Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECtHR), which includes fundamental laws like right to life, freedom off torture or freedom of expression. The European Court of Human Rights was created to which individuals can take their case to this court to argue that a signatory nation has failed to protect them from, or to sufficiently compensate them for , a breach of Convention right by a public authority. (ref.1)
The Human Rights Act 1998, that came to force 2 October 2000 increased influences of the Convention and the ECtHR on UK courts because the act integrated the Convention into UK law.
The UK does not have a written constitution or "fundamental law". Going back to ancient rules of services of law, in England there is still a common law tradition and the constitution is based on historic documents (eg the Magna Carta); there is also statute law (Acts of Parliament) and case law (the actual decisions made by judges and juries). Case law is a general term used when speaking of sources of law.
The fount of justice" in the UK is "above the law" and can't be made to answer for her actions in court. This might seem quaint but since the elected Prime Minister by tradition has inherited all the powers of the Monarch (defined by lawyers as "The Crown in Parliament" acting with The Royal Prerogative) This evolution from absolutist Monarchy means that the modern Prime Minister combines in practice the role of head of the legislature (since the Prime Minister must be the head of the biggest party in parliament). (ref.2)
"The Prime Minister is actually held in check by the courts, by the House of Lords and by the Act of Settlement which limits the power of the Monarch and the executive and, in theory, denies the Monarch (and the Prime Minister) the right to rule without the consent of Parliament. But these checks are not as strong as the explicit separation of powers doctrine enshrined in the US constitution and its institutions." (ref.2)
CROWN, everything in English law flows around it. Into the law structure in the UK we can distinguish Criminal and Civil divisions. Within the hierarchy of courts we have the highest and the last stage of Appeal in European Court of Justice, lower down Supreme Court, The Court of Appeal and the High Court. Before this stage the matters will spread depending on the division (criminal/civil). Criminal offences will be dealt with in the Crown Court, civil in the County Court, further down from the Crown Court we would move onto Magistrates' Court and from County Courts into Tribunals.
CIVIL LAW deals with disputes between citizens where the community at large is not much affected, except by the need for there to be a way of resolving disputes. Civil disputes include divorce and actions for libel; where two parties to a dispute want the matter settled with justice; or where one person is demanding compensation from another. (Smith vs Smith; as opposed to R (ie the Queen or the state) vs Smith, as in the criminal courts.) (ref.2)
The Diane Blood case is a good example of civil law developing in action, and creating precedent.
Looking into language of courts it is essential to remember that the person taking the action is called the plaintiff and the person the action is taken against is called the defendant. If the defendant loses we do not say he is "guilty" we say the court has found against him or held him liable and, usually, ordered him to pay compensation (and legal costs). (ref.2)
After a writ has been issued the trial will be set down to be heard in the appropriate branch of the High Court or - if the judges decide - in a County Court (a more junior, regional version of the High Court). Most CIVIL cases are held without juries, except for libel. Journalists have access to County Courts, writ room and even to a written transcript of the trial (though this may not always be available, and is extremely expensive). (ref.2) Importantly, in civil cases a judge (and jury if present) decides the justice of the matter on the "balance of probabilities" when considering evidence. This makes life more difficult for defendants (for example journalists in libel cases) than in a criminal court (see below) where the important principle of the "presumption of innocence" means that the prosecution case has to be proved "beyond reasonable" doubt. (ref.2)
CRIMINAL LAW deals with offences against society as a whole (such as murder, violence in general or blasphemy) or offences against another person which - (although they may also be a civil-type dispute between people) are abhorrent to society as a whole. Examples include fraud, dangerous driving, robbery, murder, rape and other types of violence or threatening behaviour.
The main differences between the barrister and the solicitor are that the barrister appears in court representing the client and the solicitor doesn't necessary have to appear in the court, although these days it is likely that they do. As journalists we would be taking our matters to a solicitor rather than barrister.
The Crown Court Prosecution (CPS) decides whether the case will be brought to the court.
Crimes are divided into two main categories, indictable or "arrest-able" offences which are more serious crimes (or accusations of crime), such as a murder, which carry a sentence of more than five years. Once arrested a person must be brought before a Magistrate within 24 hours (the cherished right of Habeas Corpus) and the police must show that there is enough evidence to proceed with the case. The exception is of course suspected terrorism. New legislation - extremely controversial - allows the police to hold suspects much longer while they gather evidence. (ref.2)
And non-indictable offences, accusations of crimes carrying a sentence of less than five years. The police cannot make an arrest for a non-indictable offence - unless there's good reason (eg the person is drunk, a danger to himself or others, or is likely not to turn up a court). Otherwise the accused will receive a summons to turn up at a Magistrates' Court. (ref.2)
Few last points to that are certainly worth mentioning are that it is incredibly important for journalists to not only have a wider knowledge about the legal systems and the constitution in the country they are practising their profession at but also to stay alert to challenges from the sides of unreasonable or unlawful restrictions on their freedom. They have to remember that there are two constitutional bulwarks that protect freedom of expression in UK such as jury trial and rule against prior restraint. And last but not least for a journalist to remember is to follow the Code of Ethics that should guide journalists in their work.
Ref. 1.McNae's Essential law for Journalists (20th Edition)
Ref. 2. Media law and ethics, notes for week 1 of Media Law and ethics module by Chris Horrie
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Winol & Chris Horrie win BJTC award for innovation in Journalism
Students of Journalism from Winchester University working on Winchester News Online and the director of Journalism course at the University of Winchester, Chris Horrie win the BJTC award for innovation in Journalism. Award handed in in October 2010 in London. Filmed and Produced by myself.
BJTC Awards in London, October 2010
BJTC awards
BJTC awards for all sorts of categories in Journalism for students and not only from around the country. Filmed and produced by me in October 2010,White City in London
BJTC awards for all sorts of categories in Journalism for students and not only from around the country. Filmed and produced by me in October 2010,White City in London
WINOL bulletin in week 5 & feedback from the guest Editor and the audience
This Monday our Winol team heard not only a feedback from our tutors but also our audience, the first years have been blogging about our last Winol bulletin and it is worth we listen to their view as they are our focus group. Overall, they were very impressed by the professionalism of our work, however they did raise a few points that are worth looking at. They noticed inconsistency in our sound quality for example and mentioned that the strap lines with name captions disappear too quickly. Moreover, we should perhaps try better to express more enthusiasm in our voice tracks, it will probably help to engage the listener/viewer more. As for the story order in the bulletin, our news team could work a little bit harder on set of the running order.
It is was important for me to mention these comments as all above apart from the running order can be also applied to our feature section of the video production. As a feature editor for winol I give more detail on week 4 of our creation of the Feature content and progress of my team in a separate article as well - here.
Between last and this week our Alexa statistics rose significantly, I dare to believe that it is also thanks to our features development and weekly schedule of uploads of our articles and videos onto the website, as our tutors always say "people come for the news and stay for the features", at last we make it happen, thanks to our features our audience stays longer on the website, our videos are longer and represent variety of feature formats to suit many tastes.
Watch our latest News bulletin below:
On Friday, 08 October 2010 WINOL got over 300 views on You Tube Wed/Thurs - which means we are getting a higher interest in our news. We are all experiencing difficulties in terms of dealing with all the technical issues like slow network and dropping frames during editing but even in a real workplace there are always technical issues occurring and we are here to learn how to overcome them and plan better to make sure to keep the deadlines. The site as a whole was not launched this week, as the tutorial and production team is setting up a lot of new features - which have longer lead times. Generally, there are still some works done of the production and formatting work for the features section. For now not all of our feature videos and articles are on the website, we have to be patient as the winol production team is limited in the men power, at the same time I will make sure that all the content that my team is producing will be uploaded successfully onto the website.
The video of my production - a short interview with our guest editor of the week will be available to view shortly in here.
His tips and feedback can be also related to feature making, even though he predominantly talked about the bulletin I find few of his tips also useful for my Feature team.
He talked about opening shots, good opening pictures, that are making an impact on a viewer and grabbing attention. choosing the right opening pictures is as important for news packages as it is for feature videos. They should be equally attractive visually as well as content wise. It is essential to remember what are we doing the interviews for, if it is for features is is crucial to think about the set up for the interview, background, the mood, lighting etc so that it could add to the story of our interviewee and allow better reception of the content.
Also, we should always think about the relevance of the cut aways of fillers we are using, they have to match the content of the interview, making the film not only more attractive visually but also adding up to the story.
And finally, as a good general tip for all of us as trainee journalists, we should always put our best affords before meeting our potential employee, prepare and do our homework on the knowledge of the industry or perhaps even particular workplace we chose. Our potential boss will give us as much attention as much we payed into preparing ourselves for the job opportunity he/she would be willing to offer us.
The video of that interview will be available to watch shortly.
It is was important for me to mention these comments as all above apart from the running order can be also applied to our feature section of the video production. As a feature editor for winol I give more detail on week 4 of our creation of the Feature content and progress of my team in a separate article as well - here.
Between last and this week our Alexa statistics rose significantly, I dare to believe that it is also thanks to our features development and weekly schedule of uploads of our articles and videos onto the website, as our tutors always say "people come for the news and stay for the features", at last we make it happen, thanks to our features our audience stays longer on the website, our videos are longer and represent variety of feature formats to suit many tastes.
Watch our latest News bulletin below:
On Friday, 08 October 2010 WINOL got over 300 views on You Tube Wed/Thurs - which means we are getting a higher interest in our news. We are all experiencing difficulties in terms of dealing with all the technical issues like slow network and dropping frames during editing but even in a real workplace there are always technical issues occurring and we are here to learn how to overcome them and plan better to make sure to keep the deadlines. The site as a whole was not launched this week, as the tutorial and production team is setting up a lot of new features - which have longer lead times. Generally, there are still some works done of the production and formatting work for the features section. For now not all of our feature videos and articles are on the website, we have to be patient as the winol production team is limited in the men power, at the same time I will make sure that all the content that my team is producing will be uploaded successfully onto the website.
The video of my production - a short interview with our guest editor of the week will be available to view shortly in here.
His tips and feedback can be also related to feature making, even though he predominantly talked about the bulletin I find few of his tips also useful for my Feature team.
He talked about opening shots, good opening pictures, that are making an impact on a viewer and grabbing attention. choosing the right opening pictures is as important for news packages as it is for feature videos. They should be equally attractive visually as well as content wise. It is essential to remember what are we doing the interviews for, if it is for features is is crucial to think about the set up for the interview, background, the mood, lighting etc so that it could add to the story of our interviewee and allow better reception of the content.
Also, we should always think about the relevance of the cut aways of fillers we are using, they have to match the content of the interview, making the film not only more attractive visually but also adding up to the story.
And finally, as a good general tip for all of us as trainee journalists, we should always put our best affords before meeting our potential employee, prepare and do our homework on the knowledge of the industry or perhaps even particular workplace we chose. Our potential boss will give us as much attention as much we payed into preparing ourselves for the job opportunity he/she would be willing to offer us.
The video of that interview will be available to watch shortly.
Features for Winol - our Features are the most popular on the site! (week 4)
As you all know last I wasn't able to be present for my feature team fully because of the interview I filmed on Monday and then the trip to London on Tuesday where our journalism students as well as the director of Journalism Chris Horrie were given a BJTC award for innovation in journalism. I had an honour to have filmed the event and produced two videos.
Winol wins BJTC award for innovation in Journalism :
I have created both videos in Gonzo style, I filmed hand held, having the permission for only one camera and no cables for microphone loose I tried my best to capture the event, its mood and keep the audio levels to its best possible quality. despite few audio level issues I managed to put the two videos together and made it available on youtube to reach not only our local audience but also bring the interest of all the people that were at the ceremony. I produced the two videos concentrating on reaching the audience and increase our traffic, as well as celebrate our students being given the award.
BJTC Awards in London, October 2010
Our deadline for preparing the content for The New Winchester Review Online feature magazine is Wednesday 27th October, Chanin has progressed significantly with building a website for our Features and we have to put our best efforts to make everything ready for him by this deadline!
Our Alexa ranking proves that (300 views) winol won the audience battle (on campus) with the Hampshire Chronicle and probably even the Echo (on campus only). "The Alexa rating though for the site has gone up from 1 million (over the summer) to 328,157" (Ref.1) as we know from our last statistics check up," that compares with Westminster News Online (for example) which ranked 10 million - so have at least 30 times as many readers, Westminster University has a target audience of probably 50,000 students and staff and locals. So on a level playing field your audience figures already indicate that you are at least 300 times better at journalism than MA students at the University of Westminster, for example." (ref.1)
The way we can see that our feature films work, prove the ranking we saw recently, the most popular video on winol was win with wiol, followed by my studio debate 'Your voice matters', then Your guide to university hot spots. The fifth place took the profile of James Knight, eight Navigation around Winchester and the nineth profile of the SU president: Seb Miell.
Important information that I would like to highlight for my second year Video reporters working for Features is that what was mentioned in the feedback from our tutors, I share the opinion and would like to remind our whole feature team about few important facts. You have the primary responsibility for avoiding legal difficulties when you are making the videos, taking pictures or writing the articles. Also to make you aware the editorial system is to make sure that that any problems are kept out, which is for me to make sure of. The dynamic of this is that the report should know the law, but be keen to press on right to the edge of what is allowed, notifying editors of potential difficulties and asking for advice. Then the editors decide or the balance of risk against the impact of the story. The case I am wondering to see if you can spot introduces a slight risk but does not make the package/video feature any stronger. (ref.1)
In light of all the above the best decision of the editor would be to take out the risk, because there's no pay off. Just as I always say if in doubt leave it out, and that is going to be my policy if i feel that there are the mentioned risks appearing in any of our Feature videos/articles/photography. It is hard for me to make decisions like that knowing that you have worked so hard on your videos and so on, and it is also hard for me as I am not yet experienced editor but I am sure that together we will overcome all the difficulties and learn and master the roles given. Another point that arose from our tutor's feedback worth reminding is that we all have to be very careful with GVs -" they are easy and lazy and they are rarely anything more than padding, and they bring with them a legal risk we simply don't need." (ref.1)
We all have been experiencing technical problems with editing and speed of the program, however, once again we overcome the difficulties and produced good standard of student journalism. This week i could assist my team fully, I kept everything under control and made sure all the processes run smoothly and efficiently. From our plans for this week, on the morning conference I presented the list of new plans for my team for the week:
After the conference and assisting my team I stayed after hours I finished of editing the winol awards films and did the last touches.
From our plans for this week Jake wrote an article on fashion of the season for males, which is in preparation for his next week's studio based fashion feature. I sent the article and pictures for sub editing.
He also presented for this week's Win with winol. (uploaded onto winol website)Visually, the competition film looked a lot better, I really liked the green screen background, it is definitely a lot more attractive now than the last week's one. The content was as good, witty and attention grabbing.As we could notice from the ranking on the winol website the both videos the the most popular on the winol website and gains the most hits of all other videos which is exactly what we are looking for!
Thom, hosted and produced this week's debate, wrote a script for Win with winol and wrote an article for the detailed analysis of the fees report - he is still finishing it off, will send it further on this week. The debate looked a lot better this week, I made sure that cameras had right angles and single shot on the guests was well framed and tight enough. The lighting was a lot better and the background more interesting. If it is for presenting, Thom still looked quite nervous and was rushing to read the script, we should work on Thom's presentation, looks and script reading. Thom also wrote an article on bad and good moments of athletic stars (sports feature) analysing in detail careers of few athletic stars. After I gave him go ahead he uploaded the article an pictures onto joomla for sub editing,
I would also like my other reporters to try presenting and Thom to keep on writing the script as he does it very well.
Justina and Hannah completed their project from last week on surviving on a student budget, the video is completed and uploaded onto youtube - not yet on the website. Unfortunately, girls didn't use radio mic in most of the cases and the audio levels came out quite bad, we managed to make it louder by putting a layer on the layer of audio pieces but it still kept unclear and echo-y effect. as it is all process of learning for us and the whole idea was ambitious and required daily filming and experimenting as well as the idea was quite original I decided to give it a go ahead for this week and upload it to you tube to be then uploaded to winol website. I'm sure that girls will know that good quality of sound is as important as pictures and them two combined along with good content will make a good feature. further more, I decided to send their article back to them to still work on it as I felt that it could have been written better. I'm awaiting for their final version of the article.
Stu was meant to finish of his video on investigative feature on two sisters and their dead father, he completed the article- which i sent for sub editing (along with the pictures) but has not finished off his video. His idea was ambitious and interesting, touching important matters and requiring in depth investigation.
On Tuesday our feature team as well as the production went through quite an intense production process. First in the morning Katie and Claire recorded their first best video on autumn trends:
Studio debate on situation on tuition fees, scripted and hosted by Thomas Hobbs: Students reaction on Browne Review
And another fantastic competition WIN WITH WINOL!
Which sustains to be our absolute bomb for attracting hits!
The green screen worked and visually it's looking a lot more professional. Thom did another good job on script writing for it and Paul once again edited the video.
I assisted with all three productions, helping in filming or photographing. I also decided to do a photo slide show for behind the scene for the fashion feature making which will be ready for next week.
Another video and article produced for this week was in Gonzo style, How to survive a week on a student budget - food - £20 a week
By Hanna and Justina
Despite major audio issues girls did not give up, they spent hours on editing and correcting it. There were few pieces of the video that after consultation with me girls cut out of the film, I followed the rule "if in doubt leave it out" once again. I wanted to be sure that we were not promoting any brands in the film or making a free advertisement for some. as I asked after Thursday's law lecture, we can sometimes leave parts that mention brands as long as they are without malice or defamatory, and therefore because girls did not say anything bad but only mentioned the brand saying that they personally like it (it was about organic bread) it was allowed to leave it in. However, there film did not suffer any from leaving that bit out and I think that I made a right decision at that point as i didn't have anyone around that could have given me that advice at the stage. With Justina's PTC that had a certain brand in the background, legally we could have left it the way it was provided that what she was saying in her PTC had nothing related to the brand. So it is actually allowed to do so provided that it is not destructive for the PTC, after all I think it was and it was good that we got rid of it at the background.
From the plans for the new features, Jake is going to do a studio based fashion feature on this season's trends for men; katie and Claire are going to London on 13th November, Saturday for a wine tasting event. It will be a Gonzo style video on them learning how to taste wine. Jake is likely to go with them as an additional camera person.
Claire and Katie are also going to do a program in style of 'come dine with me' - come dine with students.
Another idea was to make a make up makeover with a celebrity, Katie and Claire have a a contact with a celebrity make up artist that they will try to contact and arrange it (this is still quite unsure).
Justina and Hanna have not given me their plans as of yet.
Stu is finishing his video on two sisters.
The debate will be on religious views (opposite views of the matter) and we are planning to invite the alien believing guy from Winchester. Thom will write the script and I would like to ask one of our reporters to be a presenter. After the debate we will be recording our win with winol again, presented by Jake, scripted by Thom and edited by Paul.
Another idea was to organise a Contest and host it, 'Quinn and kind of dramma' xfactor type of program hosted by winol. details have not yet been discussed and the project would be quite big to realise but we will keep it in mind as part of new ideas for feature section.
1. Post on http://www.winchesterjournalism.co.uk/, Friday 8th October 2010
Winol wins BJTC award for innovation in Journalism :
I have created both videos in Gonzo style, I filmed hand held, having the permission for only one camera and no cables for microphone loose I tried my best to capture the event, its mood and keep the audio levels to its best possible quality. despite few audio level issues I managed to put the two videos together and made it available on youtube to reach not only our local audience but also bring the interest of all the people that were at the ceremony. I produced the two videos concentrating on reaching the audience and increase our traffic, as well as celebrate our students being given the award.
BJTC Awards in London, October 2010
Our deadline for preparing the content for The New Winchester Review Online feature magazine is Wednesday 27th October, Chanin has progressed significantly with building a website for our Features and we have to put our best efforts to make everything ready for him by this deadline!
Our Alexa ranking proves that (300 views) winol won the audience battle (on campus) with the Hampshire Chronicle and probably even the Echo (on campus only). "The Alexa rating though for the site has gone up from 1 million (over the summer) to 328,157" (Ref.1) as we know from our last statistics check up," that compares with Westminster News Online (for example) which ranked 10 million - so have at least 30 times as many readers, Westminster University has a target audience of probably 50,000 students and staff and locals. So on a level playing field your audience figures already indicate that you are at least 300 times better at journalism than MA students at the University of Westminster, for example." (ref.1)
The way we can see that our feature films work, prove the ranking we saw recently, the most popular video on winol was win with wiol, followed by my studio debate 'Your voice matters', then Your guide to university hot spots. The fifth place took the profile of James Knight, eight Navigation around Winchester and the nineth profile of the SU president: Seb Miell.
Important information that I would like to highlight for my second year Video reporters working for Features is that what was mentioned in the feedback from our tutors, I share the opinion and would like to remind our whole feature team about few important facts. You have the primary responsibility for avoiding legal difficulties when you are making the videos, taking pictures or writing the articles. Also to make you aware the editorial system is to make sure that that any problems are kept out, which is for me to make sure of. The dynamic of this is that the report should know the law, but be keen to press on right to the edge of what is allowed, notifying editors of potential difficulties and asking for advice. Then the editors decide or the balance of risk against the impact of the story. The case I am wondering to see if you can spot introduces a slight risk but does not make the package/video feature any stronger. (ref.1)
In light of all the above the best decision of the editor would be to take out the risk, because there's no pay off. Just as I always say if in doubt leave it out, and that is going to be my policy if i feel that there are the mentioned risks appearing in any of our Feature videos/articles/photography. It is hard for me to make decisions like that knowing that you have worked so hard on your videos and so on, and it is also hard for me as I am not yet experienced editor but I am sure that together we will overcome all the difficulties and learn and master the roles given. Another point that arose from our tutor's feedback worth reminding is that we all have to be very careful with GVs -" they are easy and lazy and they are rarely anything more than padding, and they bring with them a legal risk we simply don't need." (ref.1)
We all have been experiencing technical problems with editing and speed of the program, however, once again we overcome the difficulties and produced good standard of student journalism. This week i could assist my team fully, I kept everything under control and made sure all the processes run smoothly and efficiently. From our plans for this week, on the morning conference I presented the list of new plans for my team for the week:
After the conference and assisting my team I stayed after hours I finished of editing the winol awards films and did the last touches.
From our plans for this week Jake wrote an article on fashion of the season for males, which is in preparation for his next week's studio based fashion feature. I sent the article and pictures for sub editing.
He also presented for this week's Win with winol. (uploaded onto winol website)Visually, the competition film looked a lot better, I really liked the green screen background, it is definitely a lot more attractive now than the last week's one. The content was as good, witty and attention grabbing.As we could notice from the ranking on the winol website the both videos the the most popular on the winol website and gains the most hits of all other videos which is exactly what we are looking for!
Thom, hosted and produced this week's debate, wrote a script for Win with winol and wrote an article for the detailed analysis of the fees report - he is still finishing it off, will send it further on this week. The debate looked a lot better this week, I made sure that cameras had right angles and single shot on the guests was well framed and tight enough. The lighting was a lot better and the background more interesting. If it is for presenting, Thom still looked quite nervous and was rushing to read the script, we should work on Thom's presentation, looks and script reading. Thom also wrote an article on bad and good moments of athletic stars (sports feature) analysing in detail careers of few athletic stars. After I gave him go ahead he uploaded the article an pictures onto joomla for sub editing,
I would also like my other reporters to try presenting and Thom to keep on writing the script as he does it very well.
Justina and Hannah completed their project from last week on surviving on a student budget, the video is completed and uploaded onto youtube - not yet on the website. Unfortunately, girls didn't use radio mic in most of the cases and the audio levels came out quite bad, we managed to make it louder by putting a layer on the layer of audio pieces but it still kept unclear and echo-y effect. as it is all process of learning for us and the whole idea was ambitious and required daily filming and experimenting as well as the idea was quite original I decided to give it a go ahead for this week and upload it to you tube to be then uploaded to winol website. I'm sure that girls will know that good quality of sound is as important as pictures and them two combined along with good content will make a good feature. further more, I decided to send their article back to them to still work on it as I felt that it could have been written better. I'm awaiting for their final version of the article.
Stu was meant to finish of his video on investigative feature on two sisters and their dead father, he completed the article- which i sent for sub editing (along with the pictures) but has not finished off his video. His idea was ambitious and interesting, touching important matters and requiring in depth investigation.
On Tuesday our feature team as well as the production went through quite an intense production process. First in the morning Katie and Claire recorded their first best video on autumn trends:
Studio debate on situation on tuition fees, scripted and hosted by Thomas Hobbs: Students reaction on Browne Review
And another fantastic competition WIN WITH WINOL!
Which sustains to be our absolute bomb for attracting hits!
The green screen worked and visually it's looking a lot more professional. Thom did another good job on script writing for it and Paul once again edited the video.
I assisted with all three productions, helping in filming or photographing. I also decided to do a photo slide show for behind the scene for the fashion feature making which will be ready for next week.
Another video and article produced for this week was in Gonzo style, How to survive a week on a student budget - food - £20 a week
By Hanna and Justina
Despite major audio issues girls did not give up, they spent hours on editing and correcting it. There were few pieces of the video that after consultation with me girls cut out of the film, I followed the rule "if in doubt leave it out" once again. I wanted to be sure that we were not promoting any brands in the film or making a free advertisement for some. as I asked after Thursday's law lecture, we can sometimes leave parts that mention brands as long as they are without malice or defamatory, and therefore because girls did not say anything bad but only mentioned the brand saying that they personally like it (it was about organic bread) it was allowed to leave it in. However, there film did not suffer any from leaving that bit out and I think that I made a right decision at that point as i didn't have anyone around that could have given me that advice at the stage. With Justina's PTC that had a certain brand in the background, legally we could have left it the way it was provided that what she was saying in her PTC had nothing related to the brand. So it is actually allowed to do so provided that it is not destructive for the PTC, after all I think it was and it was good that we got rid of it at the background.
From the plans for the new features, Jake is going to do a studio based fashion feature on this season's trends for men; katie and Claire are going to London on 13th November, Saturday for a wine tasting event. It will be a Gonzo style video on them learning how to taste wine. Jake is likely to go with them as an additional camera person.
Claire and Katie are also going to do a program in style of 'come dine with me' - come dine with students.
Another idea was to make a make up makeover with a celebrity, Katie and Claire have a a contact with a celebrity make up artist that they will try to contact and arrange it (this is still quite unsure).
Justina and Hanna have not given me their plans as of yet.
Stu is finishing his video on two sisters.
The debate will be on religious views (opposite views of the matter) and we are planning to invite the alien believing guy from Winchester. Thom will write the script and I would like to ask one of our reporters to be a presenter. After the debate we will be recording our win with winol again, presented by Jake, scripted by Thom and edited by Paul.
Another idea was to organise a Contest and host it, 'Quinn and kind of dramma' xfactor type of program hosted by winol. details have not yet been discussed and the project would be quite big to realise but we will keep it in mind as part of new ideas for feature section.
1. Post on http://www.winchesterjournalism.co.uk/, Friday 8th October 2010
Wednesday, 13 October 2010
WINOL FEATURES in week 3 - the content is boosting up!
We have some really good content going for the Features for WINOL! Five videos last week (Freshers Fashion, Navigating around the campus, two Profile videos, Staff spending investigatory article! ) It will all soon appear on the http://www.winol.co.uk/ Features section (top right corner).
And we have our own competition Win With WINOL !
If you are still hesitating to how certain formats should look like have a look on the examples below.
It is important to have an idea or a good source and then put it into the format of a feature that would reflect that idea in the best possible way.
It is important to have an idea or a good source and then put it into the format of a feature that would reflect that idea in the best possible way.
Let's say for example you heard that there was a great exhibition going on or a fantastic film that has just started to be shown at the Winchester cinema or perhaps a great concert that is worth going to... this for instance would lay into an Arts Review (was the music/film/paintings/photography/book etc any good/or why was it bad etc), or perhaps even a profile of a band (members of a band that you have interviewed after the concert), or even confessional interview of an artist (painter/singer/actor/photographer etc). You can follow a band for a day, meet them in the morning, film how they prepare, how their day looks like, let them speak to the camera about themselves as if you weren't there, then film their concert- do a gonzo style- fly on the wall That would give great pictures/ music and an ambitious piece of The New Journalism era!
You can keep going researching on our course review - the more we cover the better traffic - that would be under the Product review format of a Feature, try to get some other course leaders to talk to you and get students involved telling you about their course it will generate a good traffic and target our desired audience.
I am sure you are all familiar with the Confessional interview format - do you know anyone whose story is worth telling and who would like to share it with you? I'm sure you know people with amazing life stories, get them to talk to you.
In sports, you could for example research which one was the best team of last year and the best team of this semester - interviews with the captains, analysis of their performance/scores and once you 've investigated who was the best team of last year go away for their match and film it. Here you can also make profiles of all team captains of sports teams at university etc. Every member of the team will watch their captain online, won't it? Good traffic plus you can get to practice sports photography (capturing a movement of a player/ball/dynamics of a game etc - great fun, I've done it on football and motorbike racing, just an amazing experience!
Try to stay in agenda of a calendar of what's on with what ever happens in Winchester and the area, exhibitions, movies, music, any important people coming over to winchester (actors, singers, politicians). Any protests/campaigns going on (campus/winchester?). Go even further, visit London - heaven for cultural events!
If we cover something recent we should aim for our idea to go on the winol's weekly bulletin and using the footage we can make a news video and then its extended version of it for features, which will create an opportunity for our presenter to make a link to our features channel - "to watch more of this issue go to the features section of winol to see a full story" - for example.
If we cover something recent we should aim for our idea to go on the winol's weekly bulletin and using the footage we can make a news video and then its extended version of it for features, which will create an opportunity for our presenter to make a link to our features channel - "to watch more of this issue go to the features section of winol to see a full story" - for example.
So there is plenty to choose from, the links below explain some of the formats of features in detail. Also please have a look onto my article about The Practical Magazine Features and Documentary and different formats of Features!
While doing a research on Features I came across few good links that could help my team in deciding on what type of format of the feature they could potentially work on.
SUMMARISING THIS WEEKS FEATURES FOR WINOL
I must say that I was very pleased with my team's work. The understanding of the team work and good communication between the members is clearly not an issue.
This week I had to do some filming away on Monday(Southampton) and Tuesday(London). I handed over all important information and guidelines to Jon to represent me on the meetings and help out my team in my absence. He did really well in putting my ideas across, and also Paul, Thom and Jake did amazingly on recording and producing our new competition promo-video.
My winol week 3 started, in fact on Saturday last week when Andy and I went to London to film United against Injustice meeting. I am planning to make a Gonzo day in type of feature from the footage I got and I also managed to arrange another interview with Billy Middleton the founder of the wronglyaccusedperson.org who agreed to tell me his story. I interviewed him in Southampton on Monday. This I would like to turn into a confessional feature with reconstruction of the events film. The two project will be part of content for our Features. It will require time taking editing of long hours of footage but I am committed to complete my vision.
Going back to my filming on saturday another of this weeks' activities of mine after the hours of being an editor I managed to capture and edit some of the material from 3(out of four) tapes from Saturdays trip to London for United against Injustice. I am panning to make a Gonzi stule documentary from th event. The subject is interesting and it is very likely to attarc many audience not only from our local viewers, also because i am in touch with all th einterviewees from the film I will be able to perhaps make even some sort of series of updates on theit life stories. I can also use the footage to create separate confessional interview format features that will tell the individual stories separately.
On Tuesday I took a role of a camera operator for the Award winning ceremony at the BBC academy in White City, London where our WINL team was handed an award for innovation in Journalism. After edited by Maddie it made a fantastic package for the bulletin this week, I am also going to make a longer version of a feature for our feature section of the website where our audience will be able to watch an extended version of the event.
What happend to become an issue is lack of time that our Production team is putting into helping our Features to develop quicker.
All the articles from the last two weeks I have proofread and forwarded to our subeditors, I also forwarded the pictures and videos produced by my Video journalists for Features.
After further discussions and legal advise I decided to spike thomas Hobb's article on Students drinking. I made sure that Thom understood the legal reasons behind my decision and explaind the misunderstanding on this particular feature format that he produced. Comment Features are particularly difficult, many can mistake them for allowing themselves to express their opinion in the article where in fact it is important to remember that all the information given and expressed in the piece must be based on fact, reported without a malice and created for human interest (accurate and fair too obviously). Comment articles often start with a phrase "reporter so and so says" but they in fact should never contain a personal opinion of a reporter it's more like analysis of given facts from an expert, it is never a personal opinion.
Videos and articles that were produced for week 1 were only uploaded this week are the following
so far are Win With WINOL - uploaded to winol
Staff Profile - James Knight - article on winol, video not uploaded
Navigating around Winchester (guide for students) - uploaded to winol
Freshers Flaunt Fashion- uploaded to winol
Staff Profile -SU President Seb Miell- article uploaded to winol, video not
and Your Guide to University Hot Spots - uploaded to winol
We're still missing the investigation article by Stu - still being in the process of sub editing
From Feature Videos unfortunately only my studio debate with Seb and Jaz got uploaded so far, we're still waiting for two staff profiles, Navigation around the campus and Freshers Fashion to appear on the webpage.
On this point, we are still to deliver some photographs and articles to go with some of the articles from this and last week, like Staff spending article (no pictures), Two sisters campaign article (Article and pictures), two staff profiles from this week ( katie) (pictures), the facebook debate (article and pictures) as well as Navigating around Winchester (pictures). I shall make sure that they are sent as soon as members of my team completes them.
While doing a research on Features I came across few good links that could help my team in deciding on what type of format of the feature they could potentially work on.
Looks like a real good source of info: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yxqWuGKRPV8C&pg=PA6&lpg=PA6&dq=Writing+Comment+analysis+feature&source=bl&ots=B8CjpV5cDG&sig=l59_V9lKKf5zER-yypVLHpNSpMg&hl=en&ei=Ntq1TIq7IIuOjAf0l9i3Aw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=Writing%20Comment%20analysis%20feature&f=false
Writing Features: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2443915466197743993
Feature Writing: http://www.evangel.edu/Uploads/n9z3u8d4h6452.pdf
Practical Feature writing:http://journalism.winchester.ac.uk/?page=299
Profile feature: p://www.slideshare.net/tccj/writing-the-feature-profile-3319348
Tips: How to write a good feature article: http://www.squidoo.com/feature-article
Examples of Comment articles at the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree
Examples of Art Reviews in the Culture section of the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture
Examples of Fashion/lifestyle/Health etc section for the features at the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle
SUMMARISING THIS WEEKS FEATURES FOR WINOL
I must say that I was very pleased with my team's work. The understanding of the team work and good communication between the members is clearly not an issue.
This week I had to do some filming away on Monday(Southampton) and Tuesday(London). I handed over all important information and guidelines to Jon to represent me on the meetings and help out my team in my absence. He did really well in putting my ideas across, and also Paul, Thom and Jake did amazingly on recording and producing our new competition promo-video.
My winol week 3 started, in fact on Saturday last week when Andy and I went to London to film United against Injustice meeting. I am planning to make a Gonzo day in type of feature from the footage I got and I also managed to arrange another interview with Billy Middleton the founder of the wronglyaccusedperson.org who agreed to tell me his story. I interviewed him in Southampton on Monday. This I would like to turn into a confessional feature with reconstruction of the events film. The two project will be part of content for our Features. It will require time taking editing of long hours of footage but I am committed to complete my vision.
Going back to my filming on saturday another of this weeks' activities of mine after the hours of being an editor I managed to capture and edit some of the material from 3(out of four) tapes from Saturdays trip to London for United against Injustice. I am panning to make a Gonzi stule documentary from th event. The subject is interesting and it is very likely to attarc many audience not only from our local viewers, also because i am in touch with all th einterviewees from the film I will be able to perhaps make even some sort of series of updates on theit life stories. I can also use the footage to create separate confessional interview format features that will tell the individual stories separately.
On Tuesday I took a role of a camera operator for the Award winning ceremony at the BBC academy in White City, London where our WINL team was handed an award for innovation in Journalism. After edited by Maddie it made a fantastic package for the bulletin this week, I am also going to make a longer version of a feature for our feature section of the website where our audience will be able to watch an extended version of the event.
What happend to become an issue is lack of time that our Production team is putting into helping our Features to develop quicker.
All the articles from the last two weeks I have proofread and forwarded to our subeditors, I also forwarded the pictures and videos produced by my Video journalists for Features.
After further discussions and legal advise I decided to spike thomas Hobb's article on Students drinking. I made sure that Thom understood the legal reasons behind my decision and explaind the misunderstanding on this particular feature format that he produced. Comment Features are particularly difficult, many can mistake them for allowing themselves to express their opinion in the article where in fact it is important to remember that all the information given and expressed in the piece must be based on fact, reported without a malice and created for human interest (accurate and fair too obviously). Comment articles often start with a phrase "reporter so and so says" but they in fact should never contain a personal opinion of a reporter it's more like analysis of given facts from an expert, it is never a personal opinion.
Videos and articles that were produced for week 1 were only uploaded this week are the following
so far are Win With WINOL - uploaded to winol
Staff Profile - James Knight - article on winol, video not uploaded
Navigating around Winchester (guide for students) - uploaded to winol
Freshers Flaunt Fashion- uploaded to winol
Staff Profile -SU President Seb Miell- article uploaded to winol, video not
and Your Guide to University Hot Spots - uploaded to winol
We're still missing the investigation article by Stu - still being in the process of sub editing
From Feature Videos unfortunately only my studio debate with Seb and Jaz got uploaded so far, we're still waiting for two staff profiles, Navigation around the campus and Freshers Fashion to appear on the webpage.
On this point, we are still to deliver some photographs and articles to go with some of the articles from this and last week, like Staff spending article (no pictures), Two sisters campaign article (Article and pictures), two staff profiles from this week ( katie) (pictures), the facebook debate (article and pictures) as well as Navigating around Winchester (pictures). I shall make sure that they are sent as soon as members of my team completes them.
Our new idea for competition which was initiated and scripted by Thomas hobbs has already reached fantastic result, our video reached 400 hits in one day! Jake did really well on presenting, he was confident and funny, Paul edited the video very well, such a shame we didn't have a green screen working, it would have added a lot to the film with the technical resources fully available, we will try our best to work well with the production team to make our videos look better (the same for this and last week's debate).
This week's debate is due to be uploaded, it will be also available to watch on our Features section - Debate on Facebook and twitter influences in contemporary society, hosted by Thomas Hobbs.
PART 1 OF THE STUDIO DEBATE:
PART 2 OF THE STUDIO DEBATE:
With this accent, our weekly debate is rolling, which i'm really pleased about, any of our members of feature team can host a debate, and I would like them all to try themselves out at presenting at the same time. On the production side of this weeks studio debate, it could have been better framed and the lighting wasn't perfect, after all we are all in here to learn (I have already mentioned these issues to our production people).
Claire, Katie and Jake did brilliant on delivering their videos in time - meeting a deadline is crucial, as we followed Production's advise we moved our deadlines onto the and of Wednesday so that they could upload our videos and stories on Wednesday morning before the whole bulletin fever starts. And so we did. I gave three of our videos to Paul to be uploaded and also after checking the content I recommended Tom and Stu to upload their videos (2 part debate video and two sisters video) onto youtube and pass the embed link to Paul as that will make it easier and quicker for them to be published onto the winol website. After having a discussion with paul and Josh from the production we decided that our feature journalists, after finishing their movie, they have to export them as quick time movie first, then as Quick time conversion and then upload them onto youtube themselves to make the publishing process quicker and help production with the uploads. And so from next week every single video will have to go through that process before passing the embed link over to Paul.
This week's debate is due to be uploaded, it will be also available to watch on our Features section - Debate on Facebook and twitter influences in contemporary society, hosted by Thomas Hobbs.
PART 1 OF THE STUDIO DEBATE:
PART 2 OF THE STUDIO DEBATE:
With this accent, our weekly debate is rolling, which i'm really pleased about, any of our members of feature team can host a debate, and I would like them all to try themselves out at presenting at the same time. On the production side of this weeks studio debate, it could have been better framed and the lighting wasn't perfect, after all we are all in here to learn (I have already mentioned these issues to our production people).
Claire, Katie and Jake did brilliant on delivering their videos in time - meeting a deadline is crucial, as we followed Production's advise we moved our deadlines onto the and of Wednesday so that they could upload our videos and stories on Wednesday morning before the whole bulletin fever starts. And so we did. I gave three of our videos to Paul to be uploaded and also after checking the content I recommended Tom and Stu to upload their videos (2 part debate video and two sisters video) onto youtube and pass the embed link to Paul as that will make it easier and quicker for them to be published onto the winol website. After having a discussion with paul and Josh from the production we decided that our feature journalists, after finishing their movie, they have to export them as quick time movie first, then as Quick time conversion and then upload them onto youtube themselves to make the publishing process quicker and help production with the uploads. And so from next week every single video will have to go through that process before passing the embed link over to Paul.
Winchester News Online & its own Features Section (top right corner of the page) is looking fantastic!
Week 3 Winchester News Online weekly bulletin here!
Week 3 Winchester News Online weekly bulletin here!
Monday, 11 October 2010
Features for Winchester News Online week 2 (first live edition of WINOL)
1. Happy lady from the Foodhall (Thomas Hobbes)
– interviewed, editing
Profile
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - not completed
2. Facebook impacts on today’s culture (Tom) - Studio debate on Tuesday
And a Comment article on the debate
Format: article
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - to be done and ready for publishing Wednesday Morning - completed
3. Two sisters campaign – has there been enough to save their father (Stu)
Filmed, editing
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - missed the deadline - had to have it extended, not completed yet (going over to week 4)
*4. Fashion of the season (2 Features)- moved onto next week bacause of other arrangements (London trip on Tuesday)
Male and female model (Jake Gable - will work on male one, Kate and Claire - female)
Fashion
Format: 2 Articles (male and a female model) and 2 Videos (male and female model videos) -completed in the following week
*5. Make up make-over with the make up Artist Nikki - moved onto next week because of the Tuesday arrangements (trip to London on Tuesday)
Nikki is coming over to Winchester next Tuesday, happy to do a make up make over for us, we need to get the models for next week
Fashion
Format: Article and Video - the artist has cancelled, the feature had to be postponed
6. 2 Staff Profiles (Katie & Claire)
Profile of the director of the Buisness School Neil Marriot
Profile of Wntertainment Oficer of SU Katie Gardener
Format:both Articles and Videos - completed and uploaded to winol
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
7. Navigating around Winchester (Jake Gable + Kate & Claire helping)
Guide for students to get to places
- eating out/ shopping/visiting/transport
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
Article sent over for Sub-editing (Monday evening) - both completed and uploaded onto winol
*8. Course Review
Product Review
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - not completed
9. "Day in the Life" (Gonzo/fly on the wall) Hannah/ Justina
Format: Video - more info soon - video completed in week 3
*10. Disabled Girl at the University
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: to be established - having difficulties with getting hold of the interviewees - not completed
11. United in name of Justice (meeting in London 8th October, Saturday)- myself
- Short documentary
Deadline: Wednesday (cannot complete the editing on Tuesday because of the Trip to London tomorrow)
All filmed, has to be edited
11. Billy Middleton (www.wronglyaccusedperson.org.uk) - Confessional Interview - myself
Filmed today, will edit it for next week/ possibly the end of this week
* NEW IDEAS - you will get more time for realising any of these as they are more timetaking, but please plan them in between doing the features that you are already doing on weekly basis
Your Voice Counts, Studio interviews on Tuesday afternoon with a guest (weekely)
Student interaction/ Feature Interview/ Hot issues
Has to be heavily promoted to get readers to send us ideas who they want us to interview and what they want us to ask the guest about.
Studio debate –2 guests opposite sides of the issue - done weekely
They’re talking, presenter is asking question and then observing the debate
Day in Life of – Gonzo, Fly on the Wall (Justina and Hanna)
In an taxi with – Observational
Through the keyhole (celebrity houses) – SU staff, uni staff, tutors?
"Desert Island Discs" radio show, with the idea that we get different University based "celebrities" in
Competition on: "Who has had the best adventure over the summer!" - to be started from Wednesday this week (have to record the advert for the competition in the studio)
Readers response and Competition for the best story sent to us
Price: we will make a studio interview with the winner – you will be on telly, Your story will be published
Send us your pictures and we will make you a photoessay from it for you. - not used, after discussing it was decided that the competition would require too much effort and is too complicated at this stage, will keep the idea.
Last but not least! Keep checking the website: http://www.eco.co.uk/events/ for the callendar of events that can be covered (exhibitions/concerts) - Formats of Features - for example: Art Reviews/ Short Documentaries/ Photojournalism - calendar used by claire and katie in week 3, they are going away to film a gonzo style wine testing guide/experience in London on 12th November -more details in post from week 3-4 and 5.
– interviewed, editing
Profile
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - not completed
2. Facebook impacts on today’s culture (Tom) - Studio debate on Tuesday
And a Comment article on the debate
Format: article
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - to be done and ready for publishing Wednesday Morning - completed
3. Two sisters campaign – has there been enough to save their father (Stu)
Filmed, editing
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - missed the deadline - had to have it extended, not completed yet (going over to week 4)
*4. Fashion of the season (2 Features)- moved onto next week bacause of other arrangements (London trip on Tuesday)
Male and female model (Jake Gable - will work on male one, Kate and Claire - female)
Fashion
Format: 2 Articles (male and a female model) and 2 Videos (male and female model videos) -completed in the following week
*5. Make up make-over with the make up Artist Nikki - moved onto next week because of the Tuesday arrangements (trip to London on Tuesday)
Nikki is coming over to Winchester next Tuesday, happy to do a make up make over for us, we need to get the models for next week
Fashion
Format: Article and Video - the artist has cancelled, the feature had to be postponed
6. 2 Staff Profiles (Katie & Claire)
Profile of the director of the Buisness School Neil Marriot
Profile of Wntertainment Oficer of SU Katie Gardener
Format:both Articles and Videos - completed and uploaded to winol
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
7. Navigating around Winchester (Jake Gable + Kate & Claire helping)
Guide for students to get to places
- eating out/ shopping/visiting/transport
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
Article sent over for Sub-editing (Monday evening) - both completed and uploaded onto winol
*8. Course Review
Product Review
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - not completed
9. "Day in the Life" (Gonzo/fly on the wall) Hannah/ Justina
Format: Video - more info soon - video completed in week 3
*10. Disabled Girl at the University
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: to be established - having difficulties with getting hold of the interviewees - not completed
11. United in name of Justice (meeting in London 8th October, Saturday)- myself
- Short documentary
Deadline: Wednesday (cannot complete the editing on Tuesday because of the Trip to London tomorrow)
All filmed, has to be edited
11. Billy Middleton (www.wronglyaccusedperson.org.uk) - Confessional Interview - myself
Filmed today, will edit it for next week/ possibly the end of this week
* NEW IDEAS - you will get more time for realising any of these as they are more timetaking, but please plan them in between doing the features that you are already doing on weekly basis
Your Voice Counts, Studio interviews on Tuesday afternoon with a guest (weekely)
Student interaction/ Feature Interview/ Hot issues
Has to be heavily promoted to get readers to send us ideas who they want us to interview and what they want us to ask the guest about.
Studio debate –2 guests opposite sides of the issue - done weekely
They’re talking, presenter is asking question and then observing the debate
Day in Life of – Gonzo, Fly on the Wall (Justina and Hanna)
In an taxi with – Observational
Through the keyhole (celebrity houses) – SU staff, uni staff, tutors?
"Desert Island Discs" radio show, with the idea that we get different University based "celebrities" in
Competition on: "Who has had the best adventure over the summer!" - to be started from Wednesday this week (have to record the advert for the competition in the studio)
Readers response and Competition for the best story sent to us
Price: we will make a studio interview with the winner – you will be on telly, Your story will be published
Send us your pictures and we will make you a photoessay from it for you. - not used, after discussing it was decided that the competition would require too much effort and is too complicated at this stage, will keep the idea.
Last but not least! Keep checking the website: http://www.eco.co.uk/events/ for the callendar of events that can be covered (exhibitions/concerts) - Formats of Features - for example: Art Reviews/ Short Documentaries/ Photojournalism - calendar used by claire and katie in week 3, they are going away to film a gonzo style wine testing guide/experience in London on 12th November -more details in post from week 3-4 and 5.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
WEEKELY SCHEDULE FOR FEATURES
MONDAY (planning day/ early writing)
09.00: Attend for de-briefing and planning sessions – read the papers
10.00: De-brief re: previous edition
11.00 – 2.15 After the De-brief - Feature VJs are continuing working on their articles/videos
Update of VJ Features work needed before 02.15pm (Features Conference)
02.15: Features conference (newsroom) (Feats Editor) – update on features and VJs are ‘selling their ideas and pieces they worked on to the editor/ giving updates on the features - the meeting is assessed by a tutor.
03.30: Main editorial conference (corridor) (Editor)
04.30: 2nd Features conference (newsroom) (Feats Ed)
After this conference Features Editor will update her VJs on latest decisions on their features pass on ideas on improvements etc.
TUESDAY (Features studio pre-recording; deadlines)
Deadlines at the end of today!
Writing and early production day
Studio Day for features interviews/show/fashion etc
WEDNESDAY (production day/ publication)
09.00: Editorial Conference – Editor, News Editor, Production Editor, (Chief Reporter) – sort out the running order for the daily bulletin.
Publishing our Videos and sub editing our articles in the morning
02.00: Subbing/creating features pages for next week (deadline 5pm)
02.00: Write/Edit Features Index (deadline 4pm) FE/CS – F.Editor
02.00: Write/Edit Listings Index (deadline 4pm) AEE/CS – F.Editor taking part in it
03.00: Live broadcast (on days when this is happening).
09.00: Attend for de-briefing and planning sessions – read the papers
10.00: De-brief re: previous edition
11.00 – 2.15 After the De-brief - Feature VJs are continuing working on their articles/videos
Update of VJ Features work needed before 02.15pm (Features Conference)
02.15: Features conference (newsroom) (Feats Editor) – update on features and VJs are ‘selling their ideas and pieces they worked on to the editor/ giving updates on the features - the meeting is assessed by a tutor.
03.30: Main editorial conference (corridor) (Editor)
04.30: 2nd Features conference (newsroom) (Feats Ed)
After this conference Features Editor will update her VJs on latest decisions on their features pass on ideas on improvements etc.
TUESDAY (Features studio pre-recording; deadlines)
Deadlines at the end of today!
Writing and early production day
Studio Day for features interviews/show/fashion etc
WEDNESDAY (production day/ publication)
09.00: Editorial Conference – Editor, News Editor, Production Editor, (Chief Reporter) – sort out the running order for the daily bulletin.
Publishing our Videos and sub editing our articles in the morning
02.00: Subbing/creating features pages for next week (deadline 5pm)
02.00: Write/Edit Features Index (deadline 4pm) FE/CS – F.Editor
02.00: Write/Edit Listings Index (deadline 4pm) AEE/CS – F.Editor taking part in it
03.00: Live broadcast (on days when this is happening).
Feature Plans for week 2 & New Ideas for Features
1. Happy lady from the Foodhall by Thomas Hobbes
– interviewing on Thursday in week 2
Profile
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Monday
2. Facebook impacts on today’s culture (Tom) - Studio debate on Tuesday
And a Comment article on the debate
Format: article
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - to be done and ready for publishing Wednesday Morning
3. Two sisters campaign – has there been enough to save their father (Stu Appleby)
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - to be ready for publishing on Wednesday morning
4. *Fashion of the season - it may be moved onto next week bacause of other arrangements to be discussed
Fashion
Format: Article and Video
5. Make up make-over with the make up Artist Nikki (she is free on Tuesday) - it will have to be moved onto next week because of the Tuesday arrangements
Fashion
Format: Article and Video
6. Staff Profiles
Profiles
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
7. Navigating around Winchester
Guide for students to get to places
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
8. Course Review
Product Review
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
*9. Disabled Girl at the University
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: to be established - having difficulties with getting hold of the interviewees
10. Innocence Project meeting 8th October - Observational and interviews - myself, Film
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
NEW IDEAS:
Your Voice Counts, Studio interviews on Tuesday afternoon with a guest (weekely)
Student interaction/ Feature Interview/ Hot issues
Has to be heavily promoted to get readers to send us ideas who they want us to interview and what they want us to ask the guest about.
Studio debate –2 guests opposite sides of the issue - done weekely
They’re talking, presenter is asking question and then observing the debate
Day in Life of – Gonzo, Fly on the Wall
In an taxi with – Observational
Through the keyhole (celebrity houses) – SU staff, uni staff, tutors?
Competition on: Who has had a better adventure over the summer! - to be started from Monday
Readers response and Competition for the best story sent to us
Price: we will make a studio interview with the winner – you will be on telly, Your story will be published
Send us your pictures and we will make you a photoessay from it for you!
– interviewing on Thursday in week 2
Profile
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Monday
2. Facebook impacts on today’s culture (Tom) - Studio debate on Tuesday
And a Comment article on the debate
Format: article
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - to be done and ready for publishing Wednesday Morning
3. Two sisters campaign – has there been enough to save their father (Stu Appleby)
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm - to be ready for publishing on Wednesday morning
4. *Fashion of the season - it may be moved onto next week bacause of other arrangements to be discussed
Fashion
Format: Article and Video
5. Make up make-over with the make up Artist Nikki (she is free on Tuesday) - it will have to be moved onto next week because of the Tuesday arrangements
Fashion
Format: Article and Video
6. Staff Profiles
Profiles
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
7. Navigating around Winchester
Guide for students to get to places
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
8. Course Review
Product Review
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
*9. Disabled Girl at the University
Investigative
Format: Article and Video
Deadline: to be established - having difficulties with getting hold of the interviewees
10. Innocence Project meeting 8th October - Observational and interviews - myself, Film
Deadline: Tuesday 5pm
NEW IDEAS:
Your Voice Counts, Studio interviews on Tuesday afternoon with a guest (weekely)
Student interaction/ Feature Interview/ Hot issues
Has to be heavily promoted to get readers to send us ideas who they want us to interview and what they want us to ask the guest about.
Studio debate –2 guests opposite sides of the issue - done weekely
They’re talking, presenter is asking question and then observing the debate
Day in Life of – Gonzo, Fly on the Wall
In an taxi with – Observational
Through the keyhole (celebrity houses) – SU staff, uni staff, tutors?
Competition on: Who has had a better adventure over the summer! - to be started from Monday
Readers response and Competition for the best story sent to us
Price: we will make a studio interview with the winner – you will be on telly, Your story will be published
Send us your pictures and we will make you a photoessay from it for you!
Experiences of a Features' Editor for WINOL week 1
My new role for Winchester News Online is a new challenge, but as learning to become a journalistt life thought me that challenges is part of a day to day life I have learnt to live with it, what is more I lave come to love it. I have taken upon myself this new role and I will give it a 100% trying to prove myself and overcome the difficulties. I have been appointed a fantastic team of two Video Journalists from a third year. Stuart Appleby to cover Investigative format of Features and Thomas Hobbes to be responsible for Comment/Reader response department as well as a role of my deputy. I also have great team of second year trainee journalists which consists of Feature writers and Video-Journalists like Hanna Keegan, Jake Gable, Claire Lomas, Katie Rowles and Justyna Czlad. As you might have learnt from my previous articles their details and weekely list of Features will be posted here. I will be also posting our weekely list of plans, competitions and debates that will be also published in the Feature section of The Winchester News Online - an independant student run magazine which alongside our Feature articles and fantastic videos will run our weekely News Bulletin at 4pm every Wednesday.
Starting of this very first week we are launching our weekly studio debate, which is going to be hosted by members of Features team and covering interesting topics!
This week I talked to our own SU President Seb Miell and Jaz Davies his V-ce, I asked them questions which our very own students wanted to find out the answers for eg. Student housing, parking, international identity cards etc.
Studio Interview - Your Voice matters - 1st part of wekly series - Hot Issues for Winol - studio guests: SU president Seb Miell & his V-ce Jaz Davies:
Studio Interview - Your Voice matters - 2nd part of wekly series - Hot Issues for Winol - studio guests: SU president Seb Miell & his V-ce Jaz Davies:
As it is for this weekes feature section, I have made a weekely schedule for our department that all my team members will find useful - to view weekely schedule click here!
We have experienced certain difficulties this week but also recognised strenghts that we will aim to persue.
Because of the technical difficulties like very slaw editing programs (recently updated) and constantly dropping frames it was not not only my team of Feature reporters that struggled to finish their work within the deadline but also News Reporters. A very good advise here is to always leave at least one day for editing as technical difficulties is something that happens in every work place including our university.
This week only one person have deliered what promissed within the set original deadline, Stuart, have done his written an investigative article about the Staff spending, he completed it on Tuesday as planned and after my approval it could be sent for Sub-editing to be then published for the website, one thing Stu has not done was sending us a photograpf to go with the story but that was an additional thing in his case. I was willing to move the rest of the deadlines while overwatching the progress of editing of all the videos this week.
Also as it was a first week of WINOL and everyone was adjusting to the demands of the production we were all trying out the dates and systems we are going to take to make it all work well.
We made it easier for our Feature reporters as we already had lots of ideas to start of already on Monday and I was able to appoint the following ideas to my team members. Some of the ideas will be an ongoing Feature type to be made weekely untill we run out of characters for the films or see that there is not enough interest for the particular feature as for now the Feature section is a big field of experimental and 'trying out ' game that we will all have to explore as a team to see what will work and what potentially will hit our market of targeted audience. We have focused on sudents and we have focused of Freshers in particular for this week as there is a lots of new students that have joined the Union and we are aiming at gaining their interest.
In response to that we have planned to make features like:
Freshers Fashion (Justyna, Hanna Keegan) - having our freshers plaing a main part of models and establishing their style. Along with a written article and photographs to reach new readers.
We had Navigation around the Campus Video ( Jake Gable with Katie and Claire helping) to help and grab attention of new students, along with the written article as an informal guide around the Campus.
Course Review ( Justyna Czlad, Hanna Keegan) starting of Media Courses, where our reporters interviewed Paul Manning and Marcus from Media course as well as students of the course to give us an inside of the qualities of the course.
Two Profile Feature articles along with a short videos about the President of the Student Union Seb Miell as well as James Knight, captain of the first footbal team.
Written Comment piece about students and Alcohol by Thomas Hobs brought a little bit of controversy to my decision as an editor. First of all the first copy was attached with a picture that was touching breach of Privacy act and libel issue jaxtaposing it with the article it could have been quite defamatory for the person identified on the picture even though it was used from the website which was allowing for reusing it, setting it with the article it created a risk of libel. The article also had to be rewritten to proof a research done on it as well as factual correctness. After rewriting it and changing a picture the article had no legal incorrectness, however was still quite strong in itself, even though it would be underneath the comment section. I have gone for an advise to one of the tutors, and he agreed that there is no more legel issue with the article and that is why I decided to send it for sub editing. It still has to be checked by a sub-editor before publishing and I requested to speak with the sub-editor before the final decision is made about whether to publish the article or not. For his defence, I am taking the position that his article is based on researched facts, he wrote it within public interest and he wrote it without a malice.
For a journalist, "the information's value to society is argued to be particulary high, or potentially so, " (McNae's essential law for journalists, 20th edition) A general " public interest in the law allows a very broad range of material to be published, incl the right of 'individual to describe their own experiences, or to comment on events involving others, whether or not this is likely to be deemed by a judge to be of social benefit." (McNae's essential law for journalists, 20th edition) I brought these refferences as Thom also based it on personal knowledge and speking to people. His approach to article was to create a shocking provokation and it will be underneath The Comments section and that was how I can justify the decision to pass it forward to a sub-editing process. It was not an easy decision and I researched it as well as reahed advise of a tutor, from all that I made a decision that it was legally safe, however, the further decision whether to publish it or not will be further discussed with the chief sub-editor and a bublisher next week.
I also arranged a studio feature interview in style of 'Hot issues' with the President of the SU in Winchester Seb and his Vce Jaz Davies. My aim of the interview was to put the voice of the students across and ask our representants of the SU directly about certain issues bothering our students directly.
The issues I have raised with our guests of this week were student housing, car parking, cash mashine in the West Downs area and many others.
I am hoping to provoke the readers response and bring the reaction and am hoping to make a weekely 'hot topics' or debates that will be suggested by our own readers/viewers and bring the questions from our own students.
Unfortunately none of our videos are published this week because as we found out, even though we met our deadlines the technical difficulties did not allow to upload them onto the website and we will be publishing them at the begining of next week.
Having a look on the list of what was planned and what was produced at the end the update at the end of week 1 of WINOL of Features will be following:
1. Staff Spending (Stu Appleby)
Format: Written article
Deadline: Tues - completed done, sent for sub-editing
2. Freshers Fashion (Justyna Chlad/Hannah Keegan)
Format: Written Article/Video - both completed
3. Campus navigation guide (Jake Gable)
Format: Written article/video - both completed, Video - completed
4. Students and alcohol (Thomas Hobbs).
Deadline: Tues 12pm (had to be redone - news deadline: Wednesday 12am - completed with the new picture as well, but still have to be decided on with the main editor whether it should be published.
*Fees. Analysing student fee increase and possible rise. (Thomas Hobbs) - Not completed
Format: Article
instead:
5. Should English students study abroad. Comment - Not completed
Format: Article
6. Studio Interview with Seb and Jaz from SU, (me) Response (students ask...) - completed, on the hard drive
Format: Studio Interview
Filmed on Tuesday
7. Course Review: Interview with Paul M. and Marcus from Media Course (Justyna Chlad/Hannah Keegan)
Format: Written/video - video completed, article to be read and to be sent for sub editing
8. 2 Profiles -( Katie and Claire) - articles and 2 short Videos - completed, videos on my hard drive, articles to be checked and to be sent for sub editing.
Weekely schedule for the WINOL Features team here!
And for my team, please keep checking our facebook group I am constantly posting important info there and on our facebook group site - keep them both for latest updates and new ideas.
Starting of this very first week we are launching our weekly studio debate, which is going to be hosted by members of Features team and covering interesting topics!
This week I talked to our own SU President Seb Miell and Jaz Davies his V-ce, I asked them questions which our very own students wanted to find out the answers for eg. Student housing, parking, international identity cards etc.
Studio Interview - Your Voice matters - 1st part of wekly series - Hot Issues for Winol - studio guests: SU president Seb Miell & his V-ce Jaz Davies:
Studio Interview - Your Voice matters - 2nd part of wekly series - Hot Issues for Winol - studio guests: SU president Seb Miell & his V-ce Jaz Davies:
As it is for this weekes feature section, I have made a weekely schedule for our department that all my team members will find useful - to view weekely schedule click here!
We have experienced certain difficulties this week but also recognised strenghts that we will aim to persue.
Because of the technical difficulties like very slaw editing programs (recently updated) and constantly dropping frames it was not not only my team of Feature reporters that struggled to finish their work within the deadline but also News Reporters. A very good advise here is to always leave at least one day for editing as technical difficulties is something that happens in every work place including our university.
This week only one person have deliered what promissed within the set original deadline, Stuart, have done his written an investigative article about the Staff spending, he completed it on Tuesday as planned and after my approval it could be sent for Sub-editing to be then published for the website, one thing Stu has not done was sending us a photograpf to go with the story but that was an additional thing in his case. I was willing to move the rest of the deadlines while overwatching the progress of editing of all the videos this week.
Also as it was a first week of WINOL and everyone was adjusting to the demands of the production we were all trying out the dates and systems we are going to take to make it all work well.
We made it easier for our Feature reporters as we already had lots of ideas to start of already on Monday and I was able to appoint the following ideas to my team members. Some of the ideas will be an ongoing Feature type to be made weekely untill we run out of characters for the films or see that there is not enough interest for the particular feature as for now the Feature section is a big field of experimental and 'trying out ' game that we will all have to explore as a team to see what will work and what potentially will hit our market of targeted audience. We have focused on sudents and we have focused of Freshers in particular for this week as there is a lots of new students that have joined the Union and we are aiming at gaining their interest.
In response to that we have planned to make features like:
Freshers Fashion (Justyna, Hanna Keegan) - having our freshers plaing a main part of models and establishing their style. Along with a written article and photographs to reach new readers.
We had Navigation around the Campus Video ( Jake Gable with Katie and Claire helping) to help and grab attention of new students, along with the written article as an informal guide around the Campus.
Course Review ( Justyna Czlad, Hanna Keegan) starting of Media Courses, where our reporters interviewed Paul Manning and Marcus from Media course as well as students of the course to give us an inside of the qualities of the course.
Two Profile Feature articles along with a short videos about the President of the Student Union Seb Miell as well as James Knight, captain of the first footbal team.
Written Comment piece about students and Alcohol by Thomas Hobs brought a little bit of controversy to my decision as an editor. First of all the first copy was attached with a picture that was touching breach of Privacy act and libel issue jaxtaposing it with the article it could have been quite defamatory for the person identified on the picture even though it was used from the website which was allowing for reusing it, setting it with the article it created a risk of libel. The article also had to be rewritten to proof a research done on it as well as factual correctness. After rewriting it and changing a picture the article had no legal incorrectness, however was still quite strong in itself, even though it would be underneath the comment section. I have gone for an advise to one of the tutors, and he agreed that there is no more legel issue with the article and that is why I decided to send it for sub editing. It still has to be checked by a sub-editor before publishing and I requested to speak with the sub-editor before the final decision is made about whether to publish the article or not. For his defence, I am taking the position that his article is based on researched facts, he wrote it within public interest and he wrote it without a malice.
For a journalist, "the information's value to society is argued to be particulary high, or potentially so, " (McNae's essential law for journalists, 20th edition) A general " public interest in the law allows a very broad range of material to be published, incl the right of 'individual to describe their own experiences, or to comment on events involving others, whether or not this is likely to be deemed by a judge to be of social benefit." (McNae's essential law for journalists, 20th edition) I brought these refferences as Thom also based it on personal knowledge and speking to people. His approach to article was to create a shocking provokation and it will be underneath The Comments section and that was how I can justify the decision to pass it forward to a sub-editing process. It was not an easy decision and I researched it as well as reahed advise of a tutor, from all that I made a decision that it was legally safe, however, the further decision whether to publish it or not will be further discussed with the chief sub-editor and a bublisher next week.
I also arranged a studio feature interview in style of 'Hot issues' with the President of the SU in Winchester Seb and his Vce Jaz Davies. My aim of the interview was to put the voice of the students across and ask our representants of the SU directly about certain issues bothering our students directly.
The issues I have raised with our guests of this week were student housing, car parking, cash mashine in the West Downs area and many others.
I am hoping to provoke the readers response and bring the reaction and am hoping to make a weekely 'hot topics' or debates that will be suggested by our own readers/viewers and bring the questions from our own students.
Unfortunately none of our videos are published this week because as we found out, even though we met our deadlines the technical difficulties did not allow to upload them onto the website and we will be publishing them at the begining of next week.
Having a look on the list of what was planned and what was produced at the end the update at the end of week 1 of WINOL of Features will be following:
1. Staff Spending (Stu Appleby)
Format: Written article
Deadline: Tues - completed done, sent for sub-editing
2. Freshers Fashion (Justyna Chlad/Hannah Keegan)
Format: Written Article/Video - both completed
3. Campus navigation guide (Jake Gable)
Format: Written article/video - both completed, Video - completed
4. Students and alcohol (Thomas Hobbs).
Deadline: Tues 12pm (had to be redone - news deadline: Wednesday 12am - completed with the new picture as well, but still have to be decided on with the main editor whether it should be published.
*Fees. Analysing student fee increase and possible rise. (Thomas Hobbs) - Not completed
Format: Article
instead:
5. Should English students study abroad. Comment - Not completed
Format: Article
6. Studio Interview with Seb and Jaz from SU, (me) Response (students ask...) - completed, on the hard drive
Format: Studio Interview
Filmed on Tuesday
7. Course Review: Interview with Paul M. and Marcus from Media Course (Justyna Chlad/Hannah Keegan)
Format: Written/video - video completed, article to be read and to be sent for sub editing
8. 2 Profiles -( Katie and Claire) - articles and 2 short Videos - completed, videos on my hard drive, articles to be checked and to be sent for sub editing.
Weekely schedule for the WINOL Features team here!
And for my team, please keep checking our facebook group I am constantly posting important info there and on our facebook group site - keep them both for latest updates and new ideas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)