Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit deals with key issues in media law. It begins by exploring the right to freedom of expression and the values which shape our media law environment. Key legal issues in this unit include defamation law, privacy, and open justice, as well as the regulation of digital media (social media and online communication). This unit provides students with a foundational understanding of the laws covering traditional media, including press and broadcasting regulation. In addition, this unit explores the regulation of new digital media, including social media and other forms of digital communications. This unit will examine media law regulation with a focus on Australia, adopting a comparative legal perspective where necessary to evaluate Australian regulatory initiatives alongside those developed in Europe and beyond. In addition to existing regulatory initiatives, the unit will consider emerging regulatory challenges in media law.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) apply principles regarding freedom of speech/expression, defamation law, privacy law, open justice and the law of contempt to resolve legal problems.; (2) analyse recent developments in media law to balance values of democracy, freedom of expression, privacy, reputational rights and other values affected by media law.; (3) evaluate different means of vindicating damage to reputation and violations of privacy whilst ensuring freedom of expression is protected in the modern media landscape.; (4) evaluate how new technologies, including social media and internet-based communications challenge democratic values, freedom of expression and other legal rights and interests.; and (5) apply knowledge surrounding the governance of new technologies, including social media and internet-based communications, to determine responses to emerging legal problems..
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) class participation; (2) assignment; and (3) exam. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Phoebe Galbally
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in 20820 Juris Doctor
and LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
, LAWS4102 Criminal Law
, LAWS4103 Contract
, LAWS4104 Property
, LAWS4106 Torts
, LAWS4107 Land Law
, LAWS4108 Foundations of Public Law
, LAWS5103 Equity and Trusts
, LAWS5101 Constitutional Law
, LAWS5105 Remedies andLAWS4109 Legal Theory and EthicsFor all other post graduate students: approval must be given by the unit coordinator to take this unit
or LAWS4110 Interpretation
- Essenital Texts:
-
Essential texts can be found on the Essential Textbooks website.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.