BTW2141 - Communications law

Leader: Dr Gerald Acquaah-Gaisie

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

This unit examines the diverse range of laws that are relevant to the public relations professional's practice, including defamation, confidential information, conflict of interest, privacy, contempt of court and parliament, obscenity, intellectual property, trade practices and product recalls. These areas of law place restrictions on the rights to communicate with a range of 'publics' through media, which a public relations professional must consider when adopting a professional and ethical solution to their client's requests.

Objectives

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

• Identify the legal principles pertaining to communications and public relations practice;
• Analyse legal situation that may be presented to a public relations practitioner;
• Apply the pertinent legal principles to practical situations and problems in public relations practice;
• Evaluate developing trends in the law pertaining to communications and public relations practice and their impact on the communicator or public relations practitioner.

Assessment

Assignment (2500 words): 30%
Examination (3 hours, open book): 70%

Contact hours

3 hours per week

Prerequisites

BTW1200 or equivalent

Prohibitions

LAW4140, LAW5144