Postgraduate Course: International and European Media Law (LAWS11347)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will examine the impact of International and European law on, firstly, the structure of media markets and, secondly, the content of media services. The course will start with a discussion of the nature of the media, the media 'value chain', and the relationship between media freedom, freedom of expression and other human rights. It will examine the various international organisations competent in the media field and the regulatory strategies that are being adopted to deal with media convergence and globalisation. In relation to structural matters, consideration will be given to consolidation of media ownership and state funding of the media, in particular public service broadcasting. In relation to content controls, the course will examine attempts to create a more equitable flow of media content and concerns over 'media imperialism', the regulatory problems posed by pornography and hate speech and the balance to be struck between freedom of the media and privacy.
Students will attain a good understanding of the interplay between domestic and international law in this field, as well as the role of soft law and self or private regulation. They will be encouraged to think about the future role of law and regulation in a rapidly changing media environment.
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| Course description |
1. Freedom of speech vs freedom of the media
This seminar will introduce the students to key international human rights conventions and the emerging practice relating to freedom of expression in the digital domain. They will also be encouraged to take a comparative approach and consider the level of protection offered the media in their own countries. In particular they will be asked to consider:
i) Do we need specific protection for the media beyond protection for freedom of speech? To what extent do international human rights guarantees bind private entities as well as states and do they impose positive as well as negative obligations?
ii) Who should be entitled to legal protection? Is there, for instance a difference between individuals/citizens journalist/ bloggers and professional media outlets and, in the latter case, who enjoys protection: the publisher, the editor, the journalists? Are there reasons to be more tolerant of content regulation re some media than others?
2. Regulatory Tools in the Context of Convergence and Globalisation.
This seminar will consider the 'regulatory toolbox; in the media field, drawing in particular on the work of Lawrence Lessig. We will consider whether the traditional rationales for media policy and regulation still apply and the scope for technologically-neutral regulation. We encourage the students to develop 'value chains' for various media industries to understand the nature of the production process and the pressure points where regulation may be applied.
3. Structural regulation I: Media markets and pluralism
This seminar will explore the basic elements of media economics and market structure: what is driving consolidation in media markets? Is intervention still required given the online information cornucopia? We will consider how concentration can be measured and the legitimacy of intervention to promote plurality and diversity: is competition law sufficient? Particular attention will be given to the US attempt to create a workable 'diversity index' and the WTO China Audiovisual Entertainment Products ruling.
4. Structural regulation II: From public service broadcasting to public service media
What were the original rationales for public service broadcasting and what guidance is there at the international level for state support for public service media in the digital age? We will encourage the students to experiment with time-lines to plot show key stages in the evolution of this concept. The seminar will consider PSB models in a comparative perspective and the controversial nature of state aid regulation in the EU context. Could PSB be problematic also from a WTO perspective?
5. Structural regulation III: the country of origin principle and jurisdictional issues
How can one balance state regulatory competence with the goal of facilitating the free flow of information across borders. This week we will focus on one particular approach ¿ that of the EU and the operation of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which has given effect to the country of origin principle and minimum harmonisation in the audiovisual field. To what extent does this encourage forum shopping and a regulatory 'race to the bottom'? What other regulatory options could be pursued?
We will also introduce the issue of the feasibility of state control of the internet ,considering the Arab Spring and the China great firewall, etc.
6. Content regulation I: Media Imperialism and Cultural Diversity
This is the first of two seminars to consider the controversy over media imperialism, with particular reference to the idea of a new world information order and the attempts by the EU to promote European and independent audiovisual production. To what extent are these initiatives designed to pursue cultural or purely economic objectives.
7. Content regulation II: Trade in Audiovisual Services, the WTO and UNESCO
In this follow-up session we will examine the role of the WTO and UNESCO in addressing the question of the free flow of media content, focusing in particular on the application of GATT and GATS and the Canada Periodicals ruling.
8. Content regulation III: limitations to free speech
In this seminar we will examine the legitimacy of restrictions on freedom of expression in order to protect individuals from harm or achieve other social objectives. The topic may vary to take into account current developments. For example, at the moment hate speech is particularly in the news with the Charlie Hebdo massacre, though in other years there may be a case for considering instead the protection of children or control of pornography. The seminar will consider how opposing interest are evaluated and the principles employed. How can states maintain their own standards in an increasingly international environment?
9. Content regulation IV: media freedom vs privacy
We will explore the potential conflict between the public¿s right to know and the individual¿s right to be ¿left alone¿. We will consider the central role of the ECtHR in developing European principles in this area and the role of the EU in developing the right to be forgotten.
10 Content regulation V: politically-compelled speech
This final seminar will consider the nature of 'government speech', the regulation of electoral campaigns; including the fairness doctrine and equal-time rules; and the case of 'diversity quotas'.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
172 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment for the course will be by means of ONE written essay of no more than 3,500 words in length, to be chosen from a number of specified titles, and ONE research based assignment which will take the form of a blog on a recent case decision or legal development in the field of no more than 1,500 words in length. Details of the both assessments will be given to students at the seminar in week 1. «br /»
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The students will be free to select their own topic for the blog provided that this does not overlap with the written essay. |
| Feedback |
Each student will be required to give one short presentation of no more than ten minutes to the group during one of the seminars and to circulate a written note on their presentation. Feedback and an indicative grade will be given to the student on their oral and written presentation. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
| Students should attain a good understanding of the interplay between domestic and international law in in the media field, as well as the role of soft law and self or private regulation. They should be familiar with the role of key international organisations such as the WTO, UN/UNESCO, EU and Council of Europe in the media field. They will understand the major challenges facing regulators as a result of globalisation and convergence and will have developed a legal framework for analysing a number of key topical issues in relating to both the content and structure of media markets, notably media ownership, media imperialism, the protection of privacy and child protection.
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Reading List
Barendt, Bosland, Craufurd Smith and Hitchens, Media Law, Text Cases and Materials (Palgrave 2014)
Keller, European and International Media Law (Oxford 2011)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1. Knowledge and understanding
Students should attain a good understanding of the interplay between domestic and international law in in the media field, as well as the role of soft law and self or private regulation. They should be familiar with the role of key international organisations such as the WTO, UN/UNESCO, EU and Council of Europe in the media field. They will understand the major challenges facing regulators as a result of globalisation and convergence and will have developed a legal framework for analysing a number of key topical issues in relating to both the content and structure of media markets, notably media ownership, media imperialism, the protection of privacy and child protection.
2. Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Research and Enquiry
The course aims to further develop students¿ abilities and skills in respect of:
- use of legal materials and legal reasoning;
- appreciation of law in its context;
- evaluation and criticism of law;
- legal research and intellectual skills of collecting, organising, evaluating and synthesising material and arguments.
Development of these skills will be supported through the mid-term blog assessment and final essay as well oral discussion and critical evaluation of their research in the seminars.
3. Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
See 2 above ¿ students will be encouraged to take forward their own research project in the form of a blog and will be set independent research tasks in selected seminars, working together to present their findings. Students will be thus be required to develop their skills in managing time, working independently and in groups, and taking responsibility for their own work.
4. Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Communication
Students will be expected to develop their communication skills, oral and writing ¿ both in preparing course assignments and in engaging actively in seminar discussions and on the course forum. Feedback will be given on these skills.
5. Graduate Attributes: Skills and abilities in Personal Effectiveness
Students will be encouraged to develop their skills in managing time, working independently and in groups, and taking responsibility for their own work.
6. Technical/practical skills
Students will develop a technical and practical understanding of the international framework for media regulation. They will gain a good factual knowledge of the field and an understanding of key principles and regulatory techniques. They will know how to analyse and apply this knowledge to concrete problems, taking into account the technical and political context, central in the media field. They will be able to communicate this information clearly and effectively. These skills will be useful for subsequent employment in private legal practice, for work with domestic and international civil society and regulatory organisations and in the media sector itself.
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| Keywords | IP,Innovation,Technology,Media Law |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Rachael Craufurd-Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 2061
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Karin Bolton
Tel: (0131 6)50 2022
Email: |
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