Media Law

This is an elective course that considers socio-legal and critical perspectives on contemporary national and global developments related to the legal regulation of media, and freedom of speech and expression. Given the power of global social media platforms to rapidly spread information and mobilise national and global public discourse, the course places special emphasis on how media law regulates these behemoths. On the one hand, social media can be used to inform and provide a platform for participation in public debate, but it also can spread misinformation, harm individuals targeted by its users, and undermine social cohesion. In contemplating the way media law balances these conflicting harms and benefits students will draw on case studies related to social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube and WhatsApp. Specifically, students will examine how media law addresses tensions between freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, public health and safety, the integrity of the justice system, and national security. In addition to exploring contemporary debates about the power of social media and the appropriateness of constraints that might be imposed by media law, students will undertake a series of group activities that will further develop their interpersonal communication and leadership skills, helping to prepare them for successful and inclusive teamwork roles in their future legal careers.