A free course has been launched to help working journalists challenge reporting restriction orders.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has unveiled the e-learning programme as part of its online Journalism Skills Academy.

The course has been developed with Mike Dodd, who retired recently from his position as legal editor at PA Media, and is based on his many years of both advising reporters seeking to challenge restrictions, or mounting the challenges himself.

Mike, pictured, also qualified as a lawyer during his 52-year career in journalism and was also co-author of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists between 2011 and 2021.

He said: “Journalists are the front line when it comes to defending the principle of open justice – that the public has the right to know what is happening in our courts, which they mostly learn about through media reporting – and I hope this course will help equip them to recognise, and challenge, orders which are wrongly made or unreasonably limit their rights to report.”

The course examines the open justice principle, the media’s role in reporting on courts, and contains a “nuts-and-bolts guide” to deciding on whether you wish to challenge a restriction, and the practical aspects of making the challenge.

It also looks at the various discretionary reporting restrictions in detail, with ready-reference guides offering the main points to make when challenging applications for reporting restrictions in a number of frequently encountered scenarios, or restrictions that have already been imposed.

The programme, which takes between eight and 10 hours to complete, features interactive quizzes and in-depth learning materials.

Sian Harrison, law service editor of PA Media and co-author of the upcoming 26th edition of McNae’s, said: “Journalists are increasingly relied upon to know the law and challenge reporting restrictions when the need arises – often at very short notice.

“With the expert guidance of Mike Dodd, who has been instrumental in a number of major successes for the media in challenging court orders over his long career, this course will provide a solid foundation for any reporter who needs to stand up and make the case for the press.”

Journalists can enrol on the course here.