The Media and The Law

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

In this course, students will examine the current state of the laws that affect journalists and think critically about how advances in the digital news media (e.g. online newspapers, the expanding blogosphere, increased reality video programming, etc.) have created challenges for reporters, publishers, courts and lawmakers. The course will be geared toward future journalists rather than future attorneys. No legal knowledge will be assumed, and the first class will include an explanation of the American legal system. The goals for the semester will be: (1) to understand general media law concepts and their origins; (2) to examine the current state of the law and to discuss what changes lawmakers could make to accommodate new technology; and (3) to apply general media law concepts to everyday consumption of news media and to reporting and publishing activities. There will be a midterm examination on media law concepts that will constitute 50% of a student’s final grade. The remainder of the grade will be based on practical exercises and a final paper. (Elizabeth Hanson Soja has practiced media and First Amendment in both private firm and nonprofit settings, where she has advised all types of journalists and media outlets. She earned her undergraduate degree at Georgetown and graduated from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) School of Law in 2006.)