Covering the latest legal updates and rulings, the second edition of Digital Media Law presents a comprehensive introduction to all the critical issues surrounding media law. Provides a solid foundation in media law Illustrates how digitization and globalization are constantly shifting the legal landscape Utilizes current and relevant examples to illustrate key concepts Revised section on legal research covers how and where to find the law Updated with new rulings relating to corporate political speech, student speech, indecency and Net neutrality, restrictions on libel tourism, cases filed against U.S. information providers, WikiLeaks and shield laws, file sharing, privacy issues, sexting, cyber-stalking, and many others

The growing presence of digital technologies has caused significant changes in the protection of digital rights. With the ubiquity of these modern technologies, there is an increasing need for advanced media and rights protection. Media Law, Ethics, and Policy in the Digital Age is a key resource on the challenges, opportunities, issues, controversies, and contradictions of digital technologies in relation to media law and ethics and examines occurrences in different socio-political and economic realities. Highlighting multidisciplinary studies on cybercrime, invasion of privacy, and muckraking, this publication is an ideal reference source for policymakers, academicians, researchers, advanced-level students, government officials, and active media practitioners.

Digital Media Law offers a practical guide to the law of media and communication, focusing on digital channels, models, and technologies. It draws together the aspects of media law that are most critical for those engaged in the production and distribution of digital media, from traditional broadcasters and internet-based services to major internet platforms. As an expert scholar and educator in media law, Christopher S. Reed brings considerable experience as an in-house lawyer for a U.S.-based media company with extensive news, sports, and entertainment operations. This blend of practical and scholarly insight delivers a textbook which packs foundational principles and concepts into the context of the digital environment, focusing on how those doctrines are applied in the face of rapidly evolving newsgathering, production, and distribution technologies. Key features include: "In the News" sections that tie the legal principles to real-world events or situations An integrated fictional case study of a media enterprise Insights into digital media policy This accessible textbook is the ideal companion for advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners interested in law, journalism, and media studies.

"Media law is a fast-developing area of scholarship that raises many high-profile and controversial questions. Recent issues include the use of privacy injunctions, the regulation of the press, the political power of media moguls, mass leaks of government information, and the responsibility of the digital media to prevent the spread of extreme content and fake news. This study looks at these issues and the key debates in media law. The book includes chapters examining the protection of personal rights to reputation and privacy, the administration of justice, the role of government censorship, the protection of the newsgathering process, the regulation of the media and the impact of digital communications. The analysis is grounded in an account of media freedom that looks at the important democratic functions performed by the media and journalism. Examining various key themes, this study shows how those functions continue to evolve in a changing political culture and also how the media are subject to a range of legal and informal constraints. The book asks whether the law strikes the right balance in protecting media freedom while preventing the abuse of media power, and considers the future of media law in the digital era. It is essential reading for students and scholars of media law alike."--

Revision of the author's Digital media contracts.

We are all journalists and publishers now: at the touch of a button we can send our words, sounds and images out to the world. No matter whether you're a traditional journalist, a blogger, a public relations practitioner or a social media editor, everything you publish or broadcast is subject to the law. But which law? This widely used practical guide to communication law is essential reading for anyone who writes or broadcasts professionally, whether in journalism or strategic communication. It offers a mindful approach to assessing media law risks so practitioners can navigate legal and ethical barriers to publishing in mainstream and social media. This sixth edition has been substantially revised to reflect recent developments in litigation, and the impact of national security laws and the rising gig economy where graduates might work in the news media, PR, new media start-ups, or as freelancers. It covers defamation, contempt, confidentiality, privacy, trespass, intellectual property, and ethical regulation, as well as the special challenges of commenting on criminal allegations and trials. Recent cases and examples from social media, journalism and public relations are used to illustrate key points and new developments. Whether you work in a news room, in public relations or marketing, or blog from home, make sure you have The Journalist's Guide to Media Law at your side. 'Whether you're an MSM editor or reporter, a blogger, a tweeter or a personal brand, this book might save your bacon.' - Jonathan Holmes, former ABC Media Watch host 'The leading text book from which most journos learned their law' - Margaret Simons, associate professor in journalism, Monash University

During my graduate studies, I took a media law course taught by a lawyer. Unfortunately, there was no textbook available; the course relied solely on the lecturer's previous materials. This experience inspired me to write a comprehensive textbook on media law, drawing from my research and practical experience in the field. I believe this book will serve as an excellent study resource for students across various disciplines. The book "Media Law" is particularly suited for: Law Students: Especially those specializing in media law, intellectual property law, or related fields. Journalism and Mass Communication Students: Understanding legal principles is crucial for journalists dealing with issues such as defamation, freedom of the press, and intellectual property. Media Studies Students: These students examine the broader context of media operations, including regulatory and legal frameworks. Public Relations Students: PR professionals need to grasp media law to manage their communications and strategies within legal constraints. Business and Marketing Students: Those focusing on media industries must understand the legal environment impacting media business operations. Graduate Students in Relevant Fields: Graduate programs in communications, law, and media studies often include advanced courses on media law. Filmmakers and Business Owners: In today’s digital world, understanding media law is crucial for anyone involved in media production and business. This book aims to equip students and professionals with a solid understanding of media law, providing essential knowledge to navigate the legal complexities of the modern media landscape. In an era where information flows ceaselessly across borders and through various media platforms, the legal frameworks governing this information have never been more critical. Media law, intersecting with fundamental human rights, regulatory policies, and technological advancements, plays a pivotal role in shaping modern communication. "Media Law" provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal principles and issues underpinning media operations. The book's genesis lies in recognizing the growing complexities and challenges faced by media entities today. From traditional print and broadcast media to burgeoning digital and social media platforms, the evolving media landscape demands a nuanced understanding of legal protections, restrictions, and responsibilities. This book is not merely a catalog of laws but an exploration of how these laws impact real-world media functioning, human rights protection, and the balance of public and private interests. Structured into forty detailed chapters, the book covers a wide range of topics, starting with foundational concepts and historical development. It moves through various dimensions such as media freedom and regulation, human rights, ownership and pluralism, digital media, intellectual property, advertising, and the interplay between media and the judiciary. It also offers comparative perspectives, current issues, future trends, and practical applications for media law practitioners. The book's aim is twofold. Firstly, it serves as a scholarly resource for students, researchers, and academics delving into media law. The comprehensive coverage and in-depth analysis provide a solid foundation for understanding the legal environment in which media operates. Secondly, it is designed to be a practical guide for legal practitioners, media professionals, and policymakers. By highlighting best practices, landmark cases, and practical considerations, the book offers valuable insights for navigating the complex legal landscape of the media industry. Throughout the chapters, the book emphasizes the delicate balance between competing interests: the need for free and independent media versus the necessity of regulatory oversight; the protection of individual rights versus the public's right to information; and the benefits of technological innovation versus the risks it poses. These themes are explored through a comparative lens, contrasting approaches taken in Europe and North America, and drawing lessons applicable across different legal systems and cultural contexts. In compiling this book, I have drawn on a wide range of sources, including legislation, case law, academic commentary, and practical experiences from both sides of the Atlantic. The intention is to provide a holistic view of media law, reflecting its dynamic and multifaceted nature. I hope that this book will serve as a valuable resource, sparking informed discussions, guiding legal practice, and contributing to the ongoing development of media law in a way that upholds the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

This volume explores the sameness and difference between the United States and France in the matters of freedom of expression on the Internet. The United States and France are liberal democracies that are part of the Western family of nations. However, despite their many similarities, they have a number of cultural and ideological differences. The United States is generally France’s ally in time of war and its cultural nemesis in time of peace. One of the reasons for this unusual relationship is that the United States and France are self-described “exceptional” countries. The United States and France are therefore two Western countries separated by different exceptionalist logics. Lyombe Eko uses this concept of exceptionalism as a theoretical framework for the analysis of American and French resolution of problems of human rights and freedom of expression in the traditional media and on the Internet. This book therefore analyzes how each county applies rules and regulations designed to manage a number of issues of media communication in real space, to the realities and specificities of cyberspace, within the framework of their respective exceptionalist logics. The fundamental question addressed concerns what happens when rules and regulations designed to regulate the media in clearly defined, national and regional geographic spaces, are suddenly confronted with the new realities and multi-communication platforms of the interconnected virtual sphere of cyberspace.

This timely book untangles the digital media jurisprudence of supranational courts in Europe with a focus on the CJEU and the ECtHR. It argues that in the face of regulatory tension and uncertainty, courts can have a strong bearing on the applicable rules and standards of digital media.