Legal Aspects of Media

Master 2022/2023

Type: Compulsory course (Contemporary Journalism)

Area of studies: Journalism

Delivered by: Institute of Media

Where: Faculty of Creative Industries

When: 1 year, 4 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Alexey Nikolov, Gennadiy Igorevich Uvarkin

Master’s programme: Contemporary Journalism

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 32

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course “Legal aspects of media” is aimed at developing an understanding of the role of law in a democratic society, and the basics of media legislation. Students will learn about the main sources of media law; basic principles of media regulation in Russia; legal basis of editorial activity; on the scope of rights and obligations of subjects of mass information relations; legal restrictions on the dissemination of information in media; the basics of copyright law, and the general requirements for advertising in mass-media. Students will also learn how to use the sources of media law in their professional activities; to carry out professional activities in accordance with the rules of law; to use and protect their professional rights in the interests of providing citizens with the necessary information, and successful and smooth functioning of media organizations. Students will gain experience in identifying typical violations that occur during professional activities in the field of media.

Learning Objectives

To build an understanding of the role of law in various types of society
To provide insight into legislation in the field of mass media, the rights and obligations of a journalist in editorial work
To train in the application of legal knowledge gained during the course in editorial work; in the protection of journalist rights in the interests of freedom of expression, freedom of creativity and the development of popular culture

Expected Learning Outcomes

analyzes content in terms of compliance with Russian legislation
analyzes pros and cons of international conventions on journalistic activities
evaluates content in accordance with the requirements and provisions of the Federal Law No. 436-FZ "On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development"
classifies and distinguishes information rights of citizens and journalists
classifies and interprets possible cases of free use of work in journalistic activities
classifies infringements on honor, dignity and business reputation depending on the type of legal liability
classifies the rights and obligations of journalists
classifies the types of advertising prohibited in the Russian Federation
identifies the main sources of media law at the international and national levels
identifies differences in the legal status of registered mass media, and new media
specifies types of information, access to which is limited by the legislation of the Russian Federation
distinguishes the right to refute from the right to reply
interprets the concepts of "fact," "value judgment," "fake" in the context of international standards and national legislation
solves cases related to the right to privacy in the context of professional journalism
analyzes content in terms of compliance with Russian anti-extremist legislation and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
classifies authors' rights, in accordance with the provisions of Part Four of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation
identifies the criteria of eligibility for copyright protection
distinguishes and defines the types of liability for violation of the author's rights in a particular case
specifies the basic requirements and restrictions for media advertising, in accordance with the Federal Law "On Advertising"

Course Contents

Sources of media law
Organization of editorial work
Freedom of information
Protection of children from harmful media content
Protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation
Privacy protection
Information Security
Intellectual property
Media activities during the pre-election period

Assessment Elements

Attendance
Presentation of cases on a given topic
Analysis of the media case from the legal point of view

Interim Assessment

2022/2023 4th module
0.3 * Analysis of the media case from the legal point of view + 0.5 * Presentation of cases on a given topic + 0.2 * Attendance

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bloy, D. (2007). Media Law. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=251184

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Информационное право : учебник для вузов / М. А. Федотов [и др.] ; под редакцией М. А. Федотова. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2023. — 497 с. — (Высшее образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-10593-3. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/511922 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).
Право интеллектуальной собственности. Международно-правовое регулирование : учебное пособие для вузов / И. А. Близнец [и др.] ; под редакцией И. А. Близнеца, В. А. Зимина ; ответственный редактор Г. И. Тыцкая. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2023. — 252 с. — (Высшее образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-05063-9. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/515150 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).

Course Syllabus