NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE, PLOT 91, CASDASTRAL ZONE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE EXPRESS WAY, JABI, ABUJA.
FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
JUNE/JULY 2013 EXAMINATION

COURSE CODE:  JLS 712

COURSE TITLE:   MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS

TIME ALLOWED: 3HRS

INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER ANY FOUR QUESTIONS.         ALL QUESTIONS CARRY EQUAL MARKS.

1. A. The Nigerian media have some Constitutional duties to perform in the society; carefully explain this statement; mention the specific ways in which the media perform this duty.

B. Explain the level of approval/special licensing required to establish broadcast media and not for print media?

2. A. A democratic government can both regulate the country’s media and also allow the freedom of the press at the same time. How can this be achieved and mention some of the challenges associated with this?

3. What purpose does the law of defamation serve in a society? Enumerate and explain three types of defamation and their defences.

4 What is media law? Mention and explain the cardinal virtues according to Plato.

5. Explain Press Freedom as it relates to Nigeria. Describe the fight for freedom of the press       in Nigeria since 1859.

6. Write detailed notes on five of the following:

            Libel

           Slander

           Unintentional Defamation

           Plagiarism

           Piracy

           Fair Comment

           Absolute Privilege

           Qualified Privilege

           Res Judicata