IS41190 Media Law & Policy

Academic Year 2022/2023

This module is aimed at those interested in digital media law from many perspectives. It relies on an innovative range of readings, such as newspaper articles and court reports, podcasts, blogs, films, Law Reform Commission reports, as well as journals and textbooks. You will not only learn how media law has developed but why such developments have taken place. You will also learn to question how legislative and regulatory developments shape the media created and consumed by the public.

The law in this area evolves alongside the developments in technology. This course provides insights into relevant legal principles as they pertain to both traditional and new media. Laws can be technologically neutral and future proofed, so a knowledge of traditional media law is essential to have a holistic understanding of law and policy as it pertains to digital or new media. Thinking about how existing laws and policies might (or might not) apply to new forms of technology and media allows us to unravel the role of both law and media in society.

There is no expectation of any knowledge of law or the operation of legal systems. The readings, course approach and materials take this into account.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify the issues affecting the creation, consumption and distribution of media in today’s globalised world.
2. Critically examine the role of content creators and in society and how the legal system serves to affect the creation of content.
3. Identify the main ways in which the creation of mediated products is affected by legislative and regulatory issues, in both an Irish, EU and worldwide context.
4. Critically analyse the regulation of all forms of media including Public Service Media (PSM), traditional print journalism, broadcast media, cultural media and new forms of content creation and consumption in society.
5. Show knowledge and understanding of main legal issues that affect media industries across various platforms to include broadcasting, print and online systems.

Indicative Module Content:

We all communicate daily through multiple engagements with media, from reading a newspaper on our smartphones, posting a photo on Instagram, or streaming a film via Netflix. The law in various guises intersects, governs, shapes and restricts your daily engagement with media. The practical application of the law in these different industries requires balancing the rights and interests that will be explored through the delivery of this course, from protecting the rights to privacy and a good name to recognising the importance of ensuring freedom of expression in a democratic society.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

176

Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
In-class discussion
Critical reading and writing
Desk research 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Essay Outline. Outline of essay including topic, indicative readings, for feedback Unspecified n/a Graded Yes

20

Essay: A 5,000 word essay will be due at end of term. Unspecified n/a Graded Yes

80


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

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