This event is free of charge, but places are limited so you must register in advance. Use #HCSkills to tweet about this event. A light lunch will be served at noon after the masterclass.

Who should attend?

This masterclass is intended for marketing managers, journalists, PR professionals, arts officers and anyone using a social media account to promote their organisation.

About the masterclass

The explosive growth of social media - fuelled by greater internet access, smart mobile devices and advertisement-funded business models - has brought many personal and professional opportunities and benefits. It has also brought new challenges. In recent times, individuals, companies, courts and legislators have all found themselves grappling with some of the different legal and ethical implications of social media. Defamation, contempt of court, copyright and privacy are all being impacted by its development. This masterclass will to help you and your company to maximize your use of social media while remaining on the right side of the law.

• Who’s responsible for what is said in a Tweet, on Facebook or on a blog?
• How can you control your output and that of others without stifling free debate and discussion?
• In a world where new technologies are redefining social attitudes to privacy, how can you safeguard your own privacy and that of others?
• What legal action has been taken since the explosion of social media and how is the law evolving to meet the new demands of a fluid environment?

These issues and more will be addressed in a masterclass teaching good practice in social media and providing guidance on how to negotiate a changing legal online environment, while remaining ethical. Recent relevant court cases will be discussed and in particular, defamation, contempt of court and privacy will be covered.

About the speaker

Dr Alice Johnson is a lecturer in media law, ethics and regulation at Ulster University. She is a qualified examiner in Essential Media Law for the National Council for the Training of Journalists and, as Principal Examiner, has been involved in developing the A level subject 'Journalism in the Media and Communications Industry' at the Council for Curriculum, Examination and Assessment.