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Media Law & Ethics RU COMS 400 Fall 2016 T-Th 12:30 – 1:15 Russell 033 Prof. Bill Kovarik, [email protected] / Ph: 831 6033Office hours: before and after classOffice location: 2126 CHBS
Class web site: revolutionsincommunication.com/law Also see: www.billkovarik.com INTRODUCTION
Section 1.1
Resources for COMS 400
Textbook: Robert Trager, The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication, any recent edition Website: revolutionsincommunication.com/law Quizes: D2L: learn.radford.edu Research: Lexis / Nexis, RU library databases
No i>clickers required
Prerequisites / Catalog Prerequisites: COMS 130 and 230 or 330,
or permission of instructor. Course catalog: Examination of basic
legal concepts and legal problems affecting mass media and media professionals. Includes case studies from the areas of constitutional law, statutory law and regulatory agency decisions. Principles and case studies in mass media ethics explored.
Media law: Course content 1. Structure of the legal system 2. History and prior restraint 3. Libel and Privacy issues 4. Media ethics 5. Copyright & Intellectual Property law 6. Advertising law & regulation 7. Broadcasting law & regulation 8. Newsgathering, freedom of information 9. International issues 10.Moot court
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Media law: Course structure Weekly - ◦ Readings -- Trager text & class web site
Other articles as assigned
◦ Discussion or exercise (turn in via D2L) ◦ Quiz for each chapter
Semester ◦ Mid Term & Final exams ◦ Moot court brief –
Draft due 2 weeks before Thanksgiving ◦ Moot court oral arguments
Last 2 weeks of the semester ht
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Warning !!! Controversy: We will be dealing with
controversial material that may be a little upsetting to some people. Please advise the instructor in private about any personal issues you may be having.
Respect: This class will involve debate. All students will be respected.
Agenda: Class time is limited and must be used effectively. Suggestions, advice and criticism will be heard in class as appropriate and is always welcome during office hours.
Other policies Attendance policy: Absence of more
than 10 percent of the class will result in corresponding percentage decreases in the grade. Missing more than 40 percent of the class would mean an F for an otherwise A student.
Late policy: Late completion of projects will result in reduction of your grade by one letter grade per week.
Group work Group assignments: Groups who have
non-performing members can request that they be re-assigned to other individual work without penalty to the former member or others in the group.
Disabilities policy: We are glad to work with all students to accommodate disabilities on a non-discriminatory basis. Students with special needs may be required to clear accommodations through the disabilities resource office of the university.
Honor Code Honor Code: By accepting admission
to Radford University, each students makes a commitment to understand, support and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception.
Plagiarism -- Students who submit work that is not their own may fail the class and be reported to the Dean of Students office.
Moot court Last 2 weeks of semester Moot = hypothetical Teams write legal briefs before T-day Teams present oral arguments Class votes on winning debates
◦ This adds points but most of the grade is based on the quality of the legal argument
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Grading Twelve quizzes — 120 pointsFive exercises — 60 pointsMid Term – 250 pointsFinal Exam – 250 pointsMoot Court research – 40 points Moot Court brief — 140 points Moot Court oral argument — 140 points
Total 1,000 points
Extra credit research / alternate to Moot court brief — possible additional 100 – 200 points
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Learning goals Structure of media law
◦Appreciate major strengths & occasional weaknesses
Know your rights Avoid trouble – esp. libel, privacy,
copyright, Understand legal research & reasoning
◦Be able to write a legal brief Identify trends in media law Know major cases & why they matter
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And in conclusion … Suggestions are always welcome.
If time is limited, we can meet
before or after class.
Questions?
