Law and the Media

Overview

This unit explains laws regulating and enabling speech and publication including those about defamation; racial, religious and other forms of discrimination and vilification; classifying and moderating media content; social media platforms terms of use; employment law; court reporting and contempt; radiofrequency spectrum management. This unit also demonstrates ways of understanding media law problems from different perspectives, including a business perspective. Students will also understand a rapidly changing and increasingly important field of law through a focus on topical issues.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate the laws regulating and enabling speech and publication in terms of their impact on the media
2. Assess when and how to publish contentious material
3. Describe and assess the constraints imposed on the media in reporting
4. Research and apply aspects of media law to effectively advise clients on the publication of media material

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• Freedom of Expression and the Media
• Media and the Courts: Open Justice and Contemp
• Defamation: The Law of Reputation
• The Media and Parliament: Parliamentary Privileges and Contempt
• Offensive Publications
• Regulation of the Broadcast Media