100-223 Media Law

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications) and BA (Media and Communications/Bachelor of Commerce. Students who have completed 730-348 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Completion of 100 points of arts subjects including 25 points of core Media and Communications subjects at first year.

This subject introduces students to the main areas of law that affect people working in the media. These include copyright; privacy; laws restricting speech, such as defamation, contempt, censorship, blasphemy and vilification; the regulation of the TV, radio and telecommunications industries, including media ownership laws; freedom of information; and consumer protection laws relevant to advertisers. The course emphasises practicality and problem-solving. The focus is on Australian laws but international comparisons will be drawn. On completion of the course, students should have a broad understanding of the legal restrictions and requirements imposed on their work in the media. They should understand how laws in Australia are made, changed and applied; be able to recognise when a matter raises legal issues; know how to find relevant laws or legal principles and how to seek legal advice. The course will also critically analyse existing laws and explore arguments for their reform.

Class participation and written work totalling 4000 words. Students must attend at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment.

A subject reader will be available.