Media Law

An in-depth study of legal issues relating to the media. The course first addresses a variety of topics concerning the law of defamation, including the privileges and implications of the New York Times v. Sullivan decision, fact/opinion dichotomy, malice, and the public figure doctrine. Students will also review the proposed uniform law of libel. The course then focuses on privacy issues, the propriety of prior restraints, the use of confidential news sources, the Freedom of Information Act, commercial speech, taxation of the media, and broadcast issues.