FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

BACHELOR OF MASS COMMUNICATION

(HONOURS)
JOURNALISM

BCA2593 MEDIA LAW & ETHICS

NOVEMBER 2024 SEMESTER

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT BRIEF:

ESSAY

OVERVIEW

The coursework component of BCA2593 Media Law & Ethics will be assessed through THREE
(3) assignments. This assignment brief provides information related to Individual
Assignment. This individual assignment requires you to write a discussion, to cite relevant
articles and examples based on the case given.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME

This assignment is aimed to meet the following course learning outcome:

CLO 1: Discuss media laws, regulations and ethics in Malaysia

PURPOSE
This assignment aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the media laws
and regulations practiced in Malaysia. It encourages you to critically analyze the impact of these
laws on the freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the country. You will explore how
various legal frameworks shape the journalistic practices of media organizations and influence
the role of the media in society.

ASSIGNMENT TASK
Examine and critically assess at least three (3) key laws in Malaysia that affect the journalistic
practices of media organizations. These laws should be relevant to both traditional and new
media platforms. For each law, provide a clear explanation of its provisions, how it impacts
media operations, and illustrate its real-world application with examples.
Your discussion should address the following:
 Relevant Laws: Identify at least three laws that have a direct impact on the practice of
journalism in Malaysia. These may include laws regulating print media, broadcast media,
online platforms, and social media.
 Impact on Media Organizations: Discuss how each law influences media practices in
Malaysia, with a particular focus on freedom of the press, editorial independence,
censorship, and ethical reporting.
 Examples and Case Studies: Use specific examples or case studies to demonstrate how
these laws have been applied in real-world scenarios. This could include legal actions
against journalists, media outlets, or the impact on specific news stories or public

1
 debates.
 Traditional vs. New Media: Consider how these laws apply to both traditional media
(such as newspapers, television, and radio) and new media (such as digital platforms,
social media, and online news outlets). Discuss any distinctions or challenges faced by
new media in light of existing regulations.

Reference

Azamli, A. M.; Hassan, M. S., Allam, S. N. S., and Bakar, M. H. (2022). The understanding of
media law and its impact towards Malaysia political practice. e-Journal of Media &
Society. 2019, 45–54.

SCORING CRITERIA

● This assignment contributes 20% of the total marks for this course. Write your report
using the guide and format provided at Appendix 1 .
● The assignment will be graded using the sample Assessment Rubric attached at
Appendix 2. You are advised to study the rubric closely before and while you work
on this assignment.
● The word limit for this assignment is within 1000 – 1500 words. You will be provided
with feedback on the assignment before the Final Project.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

a. Your report should be typed using 12-point Times New Roman font and double spacing.

b. You are required to submit a softcopy (word format) of your work in e-QIU.

c. APA 7th Edition needs to be followed for in-text citations and references.

d. Prior to submission, the assignment MUST be submitted through Turnitin.

i. The Turnitin report should indicate a similarity index of less than 30%.
ii. Turnitin details are as follows:

Class ID: 44475869

Enrollment key:2593
The Turnitin report must be attached together with the assignment.
e. The softcopy of your assignment MUST be labeled in this format:
a. Name_Assignment Type_Course Code_Semester
b. Ex: Joshua_IA_BCA2593_NOVEMBER_2024

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IN WEEK 5 (Friday, 21 Dec 2024)

2
PLAGIARISM CAUTION
Plagiarism is strictly prohibited to maintain academic integrity. You should not copy another
student's/group's work or from any other source, including AI tools like Chat GPT and
submit it as your own. The maximum similarity allowed is 30%. When you use content from
other sources, you need to cite your sources properly. Please note that the penalty for
plagiarism is severe. Your marks can be significantly reduced or even be awarded a ZERO (0)
if you copy verbatimwithout proper acknowledgement.

END OF INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

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 [APPENDIX 1]
BCA2593 Media Law & Ethics
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

GUIDE & FORMAT

1. Cover page (Appendix 3)

2. Table of Contents (Academic Style)
3. Introduction*
4. Content*
5. Conclusion*
6. References (APA 7th Edition Format) *
7. Appendix)
8. Turnitin Report
9. Rubric Report

3. Reference
● You are encouraged to refer to current authentic materials. Between year 2018 –
2024.
● Please adhere to the APA format
i. Alphabetical Order
ii. No numbering
iii. Format. You may refer to this site:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formattin
g_and_style_guide/apa_changes_7th_edition.html

https://www.mendeley.com/guides/apa-citation-guide

● All points must be supported by relevant text citations. The sources used to cite or
support your justification must be reflected in the reference.

In-text citation example:

- According to a study by Snow (1982, as cited in Brown, 2014), 75% of

students believe that teachers should not assign nightly homework.
- According to a study by Snow (as cited in Brown, 2014), 75% of students
believe that teachers should not assign nightly homework.
- In fact, 75% of students believe that teachers should not assign nightly
4
 homework (Snow, 1982, as cited in Brown, 2014).
- Snow (1982, as cited in Brown, 2014) concluded that "nightly homework is a
great stressor for many students" (p.34).

● Regardless of the medium of the source, all sources with three authors or more are
now attributed using the name of the first author followed by “et al.”

For example:
Fannon, Chan, Ramirez, Johnson, and Grimsdottir (2019) can be cited as (Fannon,
Chan, Ramirez, et al., 2019).

● For example:
i. Book Reference
Foster,D.L.(1993).Front Office Operations and Administration. Singapore.
McGraw-Hill Book Co.

ii. E-book Reference

Evers, B. (2004). The Turn-taking System: Seminar Paper. [Online]
http://books.google.com.my/books?id=ZIf1eXpq1PkC&printsec=frontcover&
dq=turn+taking&hl=en&redir_esc=y. (Accessed on 8th April 2020).

iii. Articles
Bautista,M.L. (2004).Tagalog-English Code Switching as a Mode of Discourse.
Asia Pacific Education, Vol. 5, No. 2, 226 - 233.

8. Turnitin
● Please submit the individual assignment report for plagiarism check.

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[APPENDIX 2]

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

BACHELOR OF MASS COMMUNICATION (HONOURS) JOURNALISM
BACHELOR OF MASS COMMUNICATION (HONOURS) ADVERTISING

BCA2593 MEDIA LAW & ETHICS

NOVEMBER 2024 SEMESTER

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT RUBRIC: ESSAY

NAME

MATRIC NO

No. Criteria Poor Weak Satisfactory to Good Very Good to Excellent Distinction Score

0 – 1.9 2 – 2.9 3 – 3.9 4 – 4.9 5

1. Identification of Fails to identify the Identifies the main Identifies the main Identifies the main Identifies the main X3
Main Issues main issue but limited issue and classify the issue and explains using issue and explains
Definitions; issue. points to discuss. points for one or two insightful using more than / 15
general further discussion. information from relevant two insightful
introduction sources. information from
relevant sources.

7
2. Analysis and Present an Present a superficial Present a thorough Present a thorough Present an insightful X4
Evaluation of incomplete analysis and analysis and analysis and evaluation and thorough
Issues analysis and evaluation of some of evaluation of some of of most of the issues analysis
Analyze and evaluation the identified issues. the issues identified. identified. and evaluation of all
evaluate the of some of the identified issues. / 20
identified issues identified issues.

3. Critical Inaccurate choice Chooses appropriate Exhibits fair Exhibits good Synthesises literature X4
Argument and of literature and understanding understanding of with original
Justification of literature. demonstrates minimal of literature and literature and provides insightful
Literature Disconnected understanding of them. provides support of points. Makes a interpretation and
Interpretation of and irrelevant Does not identify support of points. weak case for the main criticism. Makes a
literature; Clarity fragments of the link between the conclusion. strong case for the
of explanation. literature and points. main conclusion. / 20
argument
supporting final
conclusion

Major spelling and Minor grammatical Adequate grammar Good grammar and Excellent grammar and X3
4. grammatical errors but with major with no spelling errors. no spelling errors.
Grammar and errors. spelling minor spelling errors. Occasional sentences Syntax is clear.
language Overall poor errors. Occasional Occasional with poor syntax.
Spelling; syntax. sentences with poor sentences
grammar; syntax syntax. with poor syntax. / 15
(arrangement of
words to give
meaning in a
sentence)
5. Structure and Poorly ordered. Attempts at Sensible sections of Clear sections of text. Excellent sectioning X1
Formatting Difficult to follow sectioning text but can be Flow of argument is clear of text. Flow of
Clear sectioning; the flow of but lacks sense. improved. Flow of with only minor the argument is
Illustrative data; argument. No Flow of the the argument is still deviations. very
clear. Follows
APA formatting clear sections. argument is unclear. unclear. Follows APA format well. APA format well.
Major Minor errors in APA Follows APA format
errors in format. well with one or two
APA format. mistakes.
/5
 6. Citation and Lack of/ no Weak referencing. Adequate referencing, Extensive referencing Extensive referencing X1
References references, Some omission in appropriate citation but using only one using multiple
In-text citations major errors in citation and and type of source. types of sources.
cited; Reference citation and references format. references format Appropriate citation Appropriate
material references and references format.
quality – type, recent citation and
references format.

/5
7. Fail to demonstrate
Demonstrate a limited Demonstrate basic Demonstrate good ability Demonstrate / 20
Practical Skills field-related skills to
ability in field-related field-related skills to in field-related skills to exceptional ability in
perform tasks/ skills to perform tasks/ perform tasks/ duties. perform tasks/ duties. field-related skills to
Acquired good work duties. duties. perform tasks/ duties.
and operational skills Apply basic field- Apply good field-related
that allows them to Fail to apply field- Apply a few field- related skills in general skills in various situations. Accurately apply
excel in their fields. related skills in any related skills in some situations. exceptional field-
situation. situations. related skills in various
situations.
Raw Total Score / 100

/ 20%
 [APPENDIX 3]

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT

NOVEMBER 2024

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

Course Details

Subject Code :

Course :

Programme :

Year & Semester :

Lecturer’s Name :

Assignment Details

Due Date :

Student’s Details

Name & Matric No. :

Assignment Overall Marks: Marks