ONE of Britain’s top legal figures has urged hundreds of students to play their part in raising standards in the media.

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 700 students from Bournemouth University’s internationally acclaimed Media School at the BIC.

“I happen to believe this is the finest media school in the country. So congratulations to you, your family and friends and all those who teach at the university.”

He added: “There have been many extraordinary changes in my lifetime, none more so than in the field of communication.”

He reminded the students that the new forms of electronic communication had great potential for good but also great potential for harm.

A free press was essential to shine a spotlight on those in power but the consequences of its action could also be devastating, not least in breaches of privacy.

“The media’s reputation has not fared well in recent times.”

He told the graduates that they had huge opportunities, but they also had huge responsibilities.

Ironically, he spoke on the day the latest crisis broke for BBC’s Newsnight over unfounded sex abuse allegations against a former senior Conservative and 24 hours before the resignation of the corporation’s director general, George Entwhistle.

Lord Phillips, former Master of the Rolls, Lord Chief Justice and the first President of the Supreme Court until September, is the Chancellor of Bournemouth University.

His words were supported by Paul Franklin who received the honorary award of Doctor of Arts.

Mr Franklin is a globally renowned creator of visual effects, who co-founded Double Negative, Europe’s largest visual effects studio.

He won an Oscar and a BAFTA for his work on Inception and worked on the latest Batman franchise, which stars former Bournemouth schoolboy turned Hollywood actor, Christian Bale.

Receiving his honorary doctorate he described the media school as “a powerhouse of creative reputation,” whose reputation had spread across the world.

University Vice-Chancellor, John Vinney, said all the students should be proud to say they were graduates of a university with an international reputation for excellence.

The annual Daily Echo award was presented to multimedia journalism student, Kirsty Callaghan, by assistant editor, Andy Martin.

The ceremony was also attended by 2,500 family members and friends.