New book covering podcaster’s guide to the law is published

A new book which aims to help podcasters stay on the right side of the law has been published in paperback and on Kindle.

The Podcaster’s Guide to the Law written by media professional Paul Chantler is intended as an easy-to-understand, simple and straightforward guide to important legal matters for podcasters in the UK.

The best advice I ever received about the law when I started as a junior reporter on local print newspapers in the 1970s is still relevant today in the world of podcasts – IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE OUT. If you remember nothing else in this book, please remember that.

Paul Chantler

Because anyone can start a podcast, and millions have, many are not trained in journalism or radio production, so can end up bearing similar responsibilities to experienced broadcasters.

It isn’t difficult to fall foul of the laws of defamation and contempt of court by prejudicing someone’s right to a good name or a fair trial. Issues over privacy, copyright and the use of music also arise.

Similar to the early days of the internet, podcasting is in its ‘wild west’ phase and in his new book Paul goes into the increasing legal risks to what is said and done on podcasts, detailing the dangers and how to avoid them.

Chapters include Defamation, Contempt, Privacy, Copyright, Music as well as advice about Branding, Ownership and Guest Releases.

Paul says that he doesn’t want to worry podcasters unnecessarily because it should be about what you can do and not what you can’t do, but wanted to present a simple guide to reduce the risk of being the centre of legal action.

He points out that he is not a lawyer but has spent many years in the radio industry, which is strictly regulated and has co-written several books about the dangers of the law for broadcasters, bloggers and social media users.

The Podcaster’s Guide to the Law  by Paul Chantler is available from Amazon in paperback or on Kindle.