Course Outline

1. Understanding Media Ethics
   
   
• Socrates
• The Social Contract
• Utilitarianism
• Deontologists
2. Defamation Law and Advertising
   
   
   • elements of defamation
     
     
     • publication of untrue statement
     • affecting a person’s reputation
     • estimation of right-thinking members of society
     • libel and slander
   • statement must refer to claimant
   • proof of damage
   • who can sue?
   • defences
   • justification
   • fair comment
   • absolute privilege
   • qualified privilege, malice
   • offer of amends
   • innocent dissemination
   • case-studies
3. Privacy Issues
   
   
   • case-studies
4. Intellectual Properties Issues
   
   
   • impact of IP law on mass communications
   • ethical issues on IP law
   • copyright law
   • trade mark and service mark
   • law of passing off
   • patents
   • industrial designs
   • registration of IP
   • practical implications in the workplace
   • remedies for IP infringement
   • account of profit
   • damages
5. Obscenity and Indecency
   
   
   • case-studies
6. Regulation and Control
   
   
   • broadcasting standards
   • classification ratings