Media Law

Examines a variety of legal issues affecting the news media. After an introductory examination of traditional constitutional issues arising out of the First Amendment and a philosophical look at the justifications for free speech protection, the course explores how these traditional principles are balanced against competing interests not only in constitutional law but also in common law and statutory regulations. Issues dealt with include prior restraint, defamation, privacy, access to court proceedings, access to government meetings and documents, the reporter's privilege, and intellectual property issues affecting the press. In addition this course addresses issues specific to electronic media, although it focuses on the communicative, as opposed to the administrative or regulatory aspects of this emerging area of law.