Media Law

Catalog description

This course addresses the broad scope of legal issues facing the media today. The course addresses the First Amendment, statutory and common law principles that protect and limit creators and publishers, with a focus on issues affecting the content and distribution of non- fiction print, video and online works. Specific topics will include areas of historical importance to the news media such as libel, privacy, misappropriation, and fair use in the news context; and more current concerns such as access, reporter's privilege, journalists' use of social media, and use of drones and other new technology for newsgathering. We will delve into how bedrock legal principles are interpreted in the context of new media by examining their interpretation in the context of the Internet and blogging, and examine not only what the law is currently, but what it should be in order to accommodate the competing interests raised by new technology. Prerequisite(s): LAW 7572 . Grades will be based on class participation, including one presentation, and a final exam.