Law

Media Law and Regulation

Module code: M3104
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

On this module, you’ll explore how the media has rights but can also infringe on the rights of others, especially privacy.

You’ll study laws like the Defamation Act 2013, Human Rights Act 1998, Communications Act 2003, and the Communications White Paper 2013.

You’ll also consider:

  • Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
  • freedom of expression and privacy issues
  • how policy is applied through case law at the European Court of Human Right
  • European Union case law
  • the Charter of Fundamental Freedoms
  • media regulation in the European Commission, especially the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS) 2010/13/EU.

You’ll gain an introduction to the legal issues in mass media, including:

  • freedom of expression, what it means and why it’s important
  • who has rights (freedom of expression or privacy) and who they apply to
  • different approaches to law on the Internet, including privacy rights
  • the tension between the protection of reputation and freedom of expression
  • the history of UK communications legislation and key case law
  • the dual role of media users as consumers and citizens, and the economic and human rights issues for each
  • EU and Council of Europe law and how this compares to US legislation and case law.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate ability to plan and present a short schematic of a contemporary problem in mass media law, including leading and contemporary sources.
  • Demonstrate a familiarity with the competing philosophical perspectives on the application of law to mass media.
  • Demonstrate recognition of how the laws that pertain to the regulation of the mass media reflect both economic and rights-based (such as privacy and freedom of expression) issues.
  • Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the concepts of mass media, the solution to liability concerns for different categories of publishers and authors, and the comparative enforcement of laws pertaining to defamation and privacy.