LAW40230 Media Regulation

Academic Year 2018/2019

This course is designed to educate and inform students about the regulatory environment in which the media operates, and to encourage them to critically analyse upon the implications which the current system has for media freedom, journalistic ethics and practices, democracy and governance. The course will examine the many recent developments in media law and regulation which have occured in Ireland. These will include the establishment of the Press Ombudsman and Press Council, the creation of the new Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, the reform of the laws of privacy and defamation, the issues surrounding media ownership, the regulation of political journalism and advertising, and the implications of emerging online media. The course will focus on these advanced regulatory issues and will encourage students to critically reflect on the practical and more theoretical challenges raised by media regulation.

In the section of the course that deals with defamation, the class will examine those principles and rules of law that are specifically relevant to media defendants and principally the defences upon which such defendants may rely, taking a highly comparative approach, which is reflected in the assesment for this part of the module. This part of the course takes an approach which strongly emphasises the comparison of the law on defamation across the common law world as a whole (apart, by in large, from the United States of America.)

The course is taught through seminars, for which students must complete required weekly reading. The assessment is based half on the student's coursework on assigned topics and half on an end of semester examination.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students should be able to comprehend the systems and codes which regulate media practice. Students should understand not only the legal restraints under which the media operate, but also the soft law mechanisms which affect the way in which journalists, editors and broadcasters operate. Students who successfully complete the course will have developed and demonstrated the ability to conduct and produce legal research at a postgraduate level. Students will have acquired experience of conducting a critical assessment of research strategies and methodologies. Students who successfully complete the course should have an advanced awareness of the wider issues raised by media regulation. Students should be able to identify any major points of contention that might arise in relation to legal or regulatory issues, making appropriate reference to relevant statutory provisions, decided cases and codes. In answers to such problem questions students should be able make appropriate reference to the remedies likely to be granted in any particular case. Students should also be able to discuss general issues relating to media regulation on each of the issues covered, and be capable of critically reflecting on the implications for society as a whole of particular forms of regulation.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

75
Autonomous Student Learning

180
Total

279
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.



 
Description % of Final Grade Timing
Examination: Written examination (2 hours)

50

 2 hour End of Trimester Exam
Assignment: 2000 word research assignment.

35

 Week 10
Assignment: 750 word project

15

 Week 3

Compensation

This module is not passable by compensation

Resit Opportunities

In-semester assessment

Remediation

If you fail this module you may repeat, resit or substitute where permissible.

Name Role
Mr John O'Dowd Lecturer / Co-Lecturer