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Media Law
Media law is a fascinating and increasingly important subject. This course pursues a general theme of investigating and analysing the nature of free speech and the public interest as they relate to the media. It covers the most important laws which impact on the media, including defamation, court reporting and contempt, breach of confidence, copyright, restrictions on news-gathering methods, privacy, the Broadcasting Standards Authority and the New Zealand Media Council.Teaching in the course is active rather than passive. This involves the use of pub quizzes, group discussion and feedback, guest speakers, a haiku competition, case studies, spot debates, media monitoring and student responsibility exercises.
Students who complete and pass the course will have these attributes:* fundamental legal knowledge of media law, including its global and comparative contexts;* the ability to identify and articulate media law issues, to apply legal reasoning and research to respond to those issues, and to engage in critical analysis and make reasoned choices amongst alternative solutions;* a developing ability to exercise professional judgment about media law issues; * the ability to communicate about media law issues in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences, including in writing, as part of a collaborative group, and for oral presentation;* the ability to learn and work independently, and reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance; * bi-cultural confidence and confidence about how the New Zealand state has met its obligations to protect Te Reo, the Māori language, in broadcasting; * knowledge and understanding of how journalism and media work through group interaction with a journalism community, and by reflecting, an understanding and articulation of how law can assist that community.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
COMS233
LAWS202-LAWS206
Students must attend one activity from each section.
Ursula Cheer
Assessment may be by way of a breaking news legal advice exercise, an oral presentation and a final examination.The assessment will be confirmed in the first week of lectures.
Domestic fee $946.00
International fee $4,850.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Faculty of Law .