News Associates media law tutor Charlie Moloney appointed co-editor of McNae’s

News Associates media law tutor Charlie Moloney has been appointed as the co-editor of the prestigious McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists.

First published in 1954, McNae’s continues to be the leading practical guide to media law, relied upon by journalism students and working reporters to navigate the legal and ethical issues of today’s fast-paced media world.

Moloney will co-edit the 28th edition, due for publication in summer 2026, alongside Siân Harrison and Gill Phillips.

“I am honoured to be appointed as an author of McNae’s, the ultimate journalists’ ‘bible’ for media law,” he said.

“This book remains the go-to resource for reporters who want to stay out of legal trouble but also fight for their right to obtain and impart important information.

 

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“Working with the immensely talented, ambitious, and diverse range of trainee journalists at News Associates since 2021 has given me a real insight into the questions and challenges that the next generation of our industry faces.

“I hope to bring that perspective to the book and keep it relevant for other trainers working on the front lines of teaching journalism in the modern age.”

In addition to his work with News Associates, Moloney regularly contributes to publications including The Times, The Guardian and the Law Society Gazette.

This year, he was shortlisted at the Media Freedom Awards 2025 after working with the Media Lawyers Association to overturn a decision to hold an inquest in secret.

“The open justice challenges I have been able to bring so far all stem from the accumulated wisdom and passion for press freedom which I absorbed from McNae’s,” he told the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

“This is a book I found endlessly fascinating as a student, and I am honoured to be able to contribute to its continued development.

“McNae’s strikes the perfect balance of providing the fascinating theory behind media law while giving journalists the tools they need to make practical decisions — usually under immense time pressure and while walking a tightrope of legal and regulatory perils.”

News Associates managing editor James Toney added: “Charlie is at the forefront of media law training at News Associates, working across our NCTJ-accredited courses and in partnership with our media clients to deliver in newsroom training to some of the UK’s biggest news brands.

“His commitment for open justice is something we see in his reporting, a passion he brings to our training. Being guided through their media law exams by the co-editor of the benchmark textbook is something we are immensely proud to be able to offer our trainees.”