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Overview

Analysis and assessment of the law relating to the media.

From traditional media outlets and journalistic practices to increasingly ubiquitous online publications, platforms and conduct, the media plays a significant role in our lives. This paper addresses legal areas and principles of particular relevance to media processes of information gathering and dissemination. Throughout, recurring issues of how the balance is struck in this context between free expression, privacy and other rights and expectations; and how public interest considerations are taken into account will be discussed. Students are recommended to have taken, or currently be taking, LAWS 301 Law of Torts.

About this paper

Paper title Media Law
Subject Law
EFTS 0.1
Points 15 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $820.40
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
96 LAWS points
Pre or Corequisite
Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
Limited to
LLB, LLB(Hons)
Notes
Not all optional papers will be available in any given year.
Eligibility

Students are recommended to have taken, or currently be taking, LAWS 301 Law of Torts.

Contact
law@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Mr Alex Latu

Paper Structure

The course will cover legal topics of importance to the media  including the regulatory landscape; defamation; Parliament and court reporting; contempt; privacy, breach of confidence, limits on information-gathering, and copyright.

Textbooks

Course readings via eReserve.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

As well as providing an overview of the key doctrines, regulation and developments in this area, this paper seeks to provide students with an understanding of their theoretical underpinnings and comparative insights into how other jurisdictions have approached these issues, together with their potential impact on New Zealand.

Overview

Analysis and assessment of the law relating to the media.

From traditional media outlets and journalistic practices to increasingly ubiquitous online publications, platforms and conduct, the media plays a significant role in our lives. This paper addresses legal areas and principles of particular relevance to media processes of information gathering and dissemination. Throughout, recurring issues of how the balance is struck in this context between free expression, privacy and other rights and expectations; and how public interest considerations are taken into account will be discussed.

About this paper

Paper title Media Law
Subject Law
EFTS 0.1125
Points 15 points
Teaching period Semester 2 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
96 LAWS points
Pre or Corequisite
Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
Limited to
LLB, LLB(Hons)
Notes
Not all optional papers will be available in any given year.
Eligibility

Students are recommended to have taken, or currently be taking, LAWS 301 Law of Torts.

Contact
law@otago.ac.nz
Teaching staff

Mr Alex Latu

Paper Structure

The course will cover legal topics of importance to the media, including the regulatory landscape; defamation; Parliament and court reporting; contempt; privacy, breach of confidence, limits on information-gathering and copyright.

Textbooks

Course readings via eReserve.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

As well as providing an overview of the key doctrines, regulation and developments in this area, this paper seeks to provide students with an understanding of their theoretical underpinnings and comparative insights into how other jurisdictions have approached these issues, together with their potential impact on New Zealand.

Students’ intended learning outcomes include developing the ability to:

  • Recall and recognise legal tools and risk areas relevant to the media and its functions.
  • Analyse the effect of applicable areas of law to assess legal risk in given fact situations and provide persuasive opinions on practical media issues.
  • Understand and articulate the bases and principles underpinning the regulation of media conduct, and identify areas of tension and development accordingly.
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