Mass Communication Law In A Nutshell

The First Amendment and Mass Communications: The First Amendment in Perspective; Defamation and Mass Communications; Privacy and the Mass Media; Restraint of Obscene Expression; Restraint of the Press for Purpose of National Security; Free Press vs. Fair Trial; Freedom to Gather News and Information; Newspersons' Privilege, Subpoenas, Contempt Citations and Searches and Seizures; Regulation of Commercial Speech; Regulation of the Electronic Mass Media: The FCC - What It Does and Does Not Do; FCC Control of Broadcast Operations; Cable and New Technologies.

Expert authors discuss the First Amendment in detail, as well as defamation and mass communication. Includes a completely new chapter on Internet law, covering issues such as indecency, Web sites with bomb recipes, defamation and anonymous postings, blocking cookies, encryption, spamming, copyright infringement, domain names and convergence. Further highlights include recent Supreme Court rulings on "ride-along" cases, nude dancing, and commercial speech, covering issues such as banning advertising for lawful but harmful products such as tobacco. There is also an expanded discussion of journalists' access to courtroom proceeding and judicial documents.

"This is the best all-around media law text for undergraduate and graduate students alike. The clear, nonthreatening writing style of the authors, by itself, sets this book apart. And yet, it does so by not leaving out any important areas of inquiry. That’s why my colleagues and I continue to adopt this for all of our media law classes." —Jonathan Kotler, University of Southern California In The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication, authors Susan Dente Ross, Amy Reynolds, and Robert Trager present a lively, up-to-date, and comprehensive introduction to media law that brings the law to life for future professional communicators. The book is grounded in the traditions and rules of law but also contains fresh facts and relevant examples that keep readers engaged. Tightly focused breakout boxes highlight contemporary examples of the law in action or emphasize central points of law as well as intersections with international law and policy. The thoroughly updated Seventh Edition contains a wealth of new content that is as timely as possible—from the U.S. Supreme Court, federal and state courts, Congress, executive agencies, federal and state policymakers and advisory groups, and media organizations and allies. A refreshed look, feel, and flow of chapters provide readers an understanding of fast-expanding areas of the law and legal complexities.

Media Law: A Guide to Understanding Mass Communication Law

This attractive new text highlights the cutting edge policy issues raised as the law and new communication technologies intersect. The authoritative author team provides a good balance of expertise, clear explanations, emphasis on terminology and case problems. The text features include summaries and outlines of all material, marginal definition of key concepts, photographs and graphics, bibliographies (end notes), questions and answers. Written especially for undergraduates, the text provides a readable summary of the basic law and policy issues in mass communications law.