Journalism students see justice being done

Students from the University of Northampton’s Multimedia Journalism degree visited the highest courts in the land last week as part of their media law training.

The final year undergraduates were taken to London by Course Leader and ex-journalist, Hilary Scott, to see the work of the Supreme Court, the Royal Courts of Justice and the Old Bailey.

All three legal institutions have been in the news recently, most notably for the Justices’ decision on Article 50 by the Supreme Court, and the inquests into the British tourists massacred on a Tunisian beach, currently being held at the Royal Courts of Justice.

“It’s essential that journalists understand and are trained in media law and public affairs – and even I admit that the subject can be a little dry at times,” said Hilary. “So getting to see the work of the courts for themselves brings the subject to life. We had a really informative tour with press staff at the Supreme Court and then saw the work of the High Court and the Old Bailey. All of these institutions are open to the public and I’d urge anyone to go and literally see justice being done.”

Second year BA Multimedia Journalism students will be visiting parliament later this month with MP Michael Ellis as part of their law and public affairs module, while the first years stay a little closer to home with a day at Northampton Magistrates’ Court.