McNae's Essential Law for Journalists

As a working journalist, this is the only book I (and every colleague I've ever worked with on any newsdesk) reach for time and time again. Not only is it bang up to date, it explains all aspects of reporting law clearly and succinctly.
Unsure of what libel is? How to defend against it? Are you in contempt of court? Breaching the Official Secrets Act? Taking photographs of children? Invading somebody's privacy? McNae's knows. And it's written in a way to tell you quickly.
It's known as The Bible in the regional newsrooms I've worked in all my life - and it's easy to see why when you read it. I can't recommend this highly enough: EVERY reporter should have their own copy.

This is the 19th edition of McNae's, and it doesn't take long to see why. It's updated in response to changes in legislation, and if you rely on having an accurate understanding of the law for journalism, it will almost certainly pay to stay up to date.

This is a set book for journalists doing NCTJs, and, from our point of view, an essential reference in our PR department -- alongside the Press Complaints Commission code poster up on the wall.

Journalism and the law are two things on which many people have opinions. There are lots of people who will quite happily say in a meeting "it's against the law to...", "newspapers are required by law to...", "they won't be allowed to print...". Unfortunately, a lot of this 'knowledge' is second or third hand, and much of it dates back to legislation or cases that have now been superseded. A lot of the rest of it is gleaned from conversations in pubs, and articles in newspapers. In other words, of very little value.

This book is the antidote: updated from the most recent changes and the most recent cases, and adopting exactly the right tone when it comes to describing things which are subject to being tested in the courts. And it's an awful lot cheaper than ringing up a lawyer.

Strongly recommended for anyone who actually needs to know.