Senior Media Lawyer, Content

We're looking for an experienced media lawyer to join the Business & Legal Affairs team, supporting content teams across production, commissioning, publication and commercial activity.

What will you be doing?

• Partner with in house producers and commissioners to provide legal and regulatory advice on programme and online content across a broad range of issues, including defamation, contempt, privacy, data protection, intellectual property and compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and other relevant regulations.
• Support content teams before and after broadcast or publication across multiple genres, including live output, current affairs, documentaries, true crime, factual and drama content.
• Assess legal, editorial and regulatory risk in production and publication, helping teams make informed decisions and manage potential criminal or civil exposure.
• Work closely with commissioners, production companies, press, programme management, business affairs, creatives, marketing and senior leadership.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the legal team and wider business, using sound judgement and drawing on specialist input where issues are new, sensitive or complex.
• Advise on contributor welfare and child protection, commercial references, teleshopping, sponsorship, product placement, broadcast competitions, election broadcasting and related editorial compliance matters.
• Provide guidance on editorial standards and ethics affecting programmes and online content.
• Support reviews of programme and online content issues before and after broadcast.
• Prepare responses to complaints and regulatory investigations, including Ofcom standards, fairness and privacy matters.
• Attend recordings and live or as live programming where needed to provide timely legal advice.
• Support pre litigation and post litigation matters where required.
• You'll also help keep the team up to date on developments in media law and regulation, contributing to know how, guidance and shared best practice across the function.
• Build strong working relationships across the business and contribute to a collaborative team environment.
• Represent the business and its content brands with professionalism, sound judgement and credibility.
• Help foster an inclusive culture where different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences are valued.
• Commercial compliance
• Advise on sponsorship opportunities and support content sign off from script through to rough cut and delivery, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and brand standards.
• Support the use and licensing of intellectual property, including brands and characters, across partnerships, advertising, digital and social campaigns.
• Provide legal input on internal projects and release support across film, streaming and other content platforms.
• Support new monetisation opportunities across streaming, direct to consumer, events, advertiser funded programming and digital channels.
• Partner with commissioning teams on advertiser funded programming and commercial integration within content.
• Advise on advertising compliance, including BCAP Codes and related guidance.
• Training and knowledge sharing
• Deliver training for staff and freelancers on legal and compliance issues affecting programme and online content.
• Keep pace with upcoming legal and regulatory developments and help ensure the wider business is informed of relevant changes.

What are we looking for?

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant post qualification experience in programme legal and regulatory compliance relating to content creation and publication within public service or commercial broadcasting.
• Strong expertise in media law and regulation, including defamation, contempt, privacy, copyright, data protection, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and BCAP Codes and guidance.
• Experience advising producers and commissioners before and after broadcast on media law and regulation in relation to programme, digital or other media content.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.
• A thoughtful and practical approach, with strong listening skills and the confidence to ask the right questions before reaching a view.
• Sound judgement and creative problem solving skills when handling legal and editorial issues.
• The ability to adapt quickly, learn continuously and apply new knowledge in a practical way.
• A strong appreciation for freedom of expression and editorial integrity.
• A collaborative and flexible approach, with the resilience to manage a varied workload in a time sensitive environment.
• Confidence using technology and digital tools in day to day legal work.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.