cookieImage
2025-2026 / PEAV0003-1

journalistic ethics

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in journalism, professional focus in investigation multimedia5 crédits 

Lecturer

David Leloup

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Each profession defines its own ethical rules. In an introductory, more theoretical sequence, students will be asked to critically analyze various texts governing the journalism profession in particular, and the media sphere more generally. Subsequently, in a practice-oriented sequence, students will be confronted with problematic case studies (source protection, hidden cameras, conscience clauses, plagiarism, right of reply, legal disputes, etc.). To enrich the discussion, certain cases under debate will be illuminated through meetings with professionals from the relevant sector (journalists, legal experts, specialists in media ethics, and others).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- understand the challenges of information ethics;
- apply the cardinal rules of the information profession to their work;
- adapt and adopt appropriate ethical behavior in complex circumstances.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

- Frequent reader of newspapers and consumer of audiovisual and digital media.
- A high level of skill in major journalistic genres, such as is taught in the course, Techniques du journalisme (3rd Bachelor).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

- A general introduction to journalism ethics, its history, its globalisation, and its application.
- An oral presentation by groups of students on the Code of Journalistic Ethics.
- A personal written assignment: interview with a media professional on journalistic ethics in general or on a specific ethical issue.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Length and period: 30 hours (first term).

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

The slides shown in class, as well as lecture notes, are available on eCampus.

Required readings:

Highly recommended reading:

  • Bernier, M.-F. (2015). Éthique et déontologie du journalisme. Presses universitaires de Laval. (Chapters 6 to 11).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

- Group work.
- Personal work.
- Oral exam.

Work placement(s)

None.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

None.

Contacts

Lecturer:
David LELOUP
Département Médias, Culture et Communication
Grand Poste Média Campus
Rue de la Régence 61
4000 Liège
04 366 29 57
david.leloup@uliege.be

Research assistant:
Boris KRYWICKI
04 366 38 60
boris.krywicki@uliege.be

Secretariat:
Evelyne LIBENS
04 366 32 79
elibens@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.