76520 Free Speech and Media Law

Requisite(s): (70616 Federal Constitutional Law AND (76063 Media Law OR 50128 Media, Information and the Law))

There are also course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

This subject deals with the theoretical and policy arguments involved in free speech theory, and the development of advanced skills in identifying and solving legal problems that arise in this context. Students examine areas of Australian law that impact on freedom of expression, in particular their effect on the media and on the gathering and dissemination of information. Students also consider the implications arising from the internet for freedom of speech; relevant laws in the US and Europe; and regulatory controls such as defamation, contempt, copyright, anti-vilification, censorship and obscenity, privacy, and anti-terrorism laws.