Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives After completing the subject students should be able to (1) understand and differentiate between the laws which govern the broadcasting media and the laws which govern the print media in the following areas: regulation of entry into the medium, regulatory bodies, the ownership and control regime, a selection of the programming restrictions; and complaints mechanisms; (2) understand why the broadcasting media has been subjected to a different type and degree of regulation in these areas than the print media; (3) articulate an informed opinion as to whether the current regulatory models for the broadcasting and print media are the most desirable and effective regulatory models; (4) demonstrate a basic understanding of how the law facilitates access by the broadcasting and print media to news and information as well as a selection of the laws which restrict access to news and information; (5) demonstrate a basic understanding of a selection of the restrictions which govern the way in which the broadcasting and print media can report news and information and of the policy considerations which underlie these restrictions; and (6) apply the knowledge gained in the subject in specific factual contexts.
Synopsis `Media law' is intended to provide students with an overview of the laws which affect the broadcasting and print media. The first half of the subject will focus on the structure of the broadcasting and print media and will deal with issues such as regulation of entry into these media, the bodies which regulate these media, ownership and control restrictions, programming and content restrictions and complaints mechanisms. The second half of the subject will examine a selection of the laws which govern the way in which the broadcasting and print media collect and disseminate news and information. They include obtaining information about court proceedings, suppression orders, contempt of court, contempt of Parliament, obtaining access to information about government, reporting elections and other political material, trespass to land and nuisance.
Assessment One research paper (3000 words): 30% + One 3-hour examination: 70%