Media Law and Ethics

Catalog description

The study and practice of key issues in media law and ethics, including libel law, conflict of interest, truth in advertising. COMM 458 Media Law and Ethics (3) An examination of the role of the mass media in American society in regard to the rights, responsibilities, and duties of practicing media professionals. The semester is almost evenly divided between law and ethics topics. Students examine current laws in mass media with the goal of preparing them to be lawful and responsible members of the profession. Law topics include defamation, privacy, intellectual property and protection of anonymous sources. Students also get an introduction to ethical theories and their practical applications in media industries. Topics include journalistic responsibilities, objectivity, conflicts of interest, invasion of privacy, and the ethics of persuasion and entertainment.