The Law of Media and Communications

Course aim

To provide a framework to relate the structure and operation of the Australian legal system to journalists including an overview of the legal ramifications that may impact the role journalists and professional
writers.

Course content

Freedom of expression; sources of law: the common law, the operation of legislation and other administrative
sources of law.

The tort of defamation and contempt of court and contempt of parliament. Offensive communications and the control of electronic content. The regulation of print media and electronic media.

Access to information, the disclosure of sources and the tort of breach of confidence.

Privacy issues including trespass and nuisance law. Copyright and other intellectual property law.

Media ownership and control.  Media Convergence and New Media.

Textbook(s)

Nil

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Component	Duration
INTERNAL, CITY WEST
Preparatory	1 x 1 week
Seminar	3 Hours x 10 weeks
INTERNAL, CITY WEST (INTENSIVE)
Seminar	3 hours x 2 weeks
EXTERNAL, CITY WEST, DISTANCE EDUCATION
Seminar	3 Hours x 10 weeks

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Assignment, Research assignment

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 3)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
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Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.