Course Description
International Media Law as a discipline is, in many ways, a recent creation. It arose, initially, from
concerns over freedom of expression in the aftermath of World War II, and its growth coincided
with further advancements in technology as media industries (at the time, radio and television)
expanded. The rapid changes in technology of recent years, including the convergence of media
platforms and the growth of social media, have challenged some of the core assumptions of the
discipline. In order to appreciate the current scholarly debate, one must first understand the
development and transformation of the discipline over the last half century. This course will focus
on constitutional principles, in particular fundamental rights, rather than solutions for technical
problems that can change rapidly.
The following topics will be dealt with:
Freedom of speech and media freedom
Public service media and competition
Illegal publications
Data protection and media exceptions
Protection of journalistic sources
Newsgathering
Access to government-held information
A visit to a media organization, a ministry or a regulatory authority will be included in the course,
so students will be able to discuss political and moral dilemmas with professionals from a relevant
background.
Course Requirement
Master Degree
Assessment Method
Oral exam 66,66% (2/3)
Written paper (argument or a judgement) on one of the moot court cases 33,33% (1/3)