Synopses & Reviews
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The Law of Public Communication, Seventh Edition, 2009 Update
Kent R. Middleton, University of Georgia
William E. Lee, University of Georgia
This 2009 Update includes the most current legal developments affecting the daily work of writers, broadcasters, advertisers, cable operators, Internet service providers, public relations practitioners, photographers, and other public communicators. By presenting statutes and cases in a cohesive manner that is understandable, even if you are studying law for the first time, the authors ensure that you will acquire a firm grasp of the legal issues affecting the media.
FEATURES OF THE 2009 UPDATE:
- Discusses the Open Government Act of 2007, which aims to promote accessibility, accountability, and openness in Government.
- Explains the impact of the Honest Leadership and Government Act of 2007, which toughens the public disclosure requirements dealing with lobbying activity and campaign donations.
- Analyzes the FCC's decision to fine ABC $1.2 million for an indecent broadcast of NYPD Blue.
- Discusses the Federal Election Commission’s rules implementing the Wisconsin Right to Life decision.
- Explains the ruling in Kucinich v. NBCinvolving participation in presidential candidate debates.
- Highlights the role of 527 groups in the 2008 presidential primaries.
- Discusses continuing Bush Administration efforts to initiate wiretaps without court review.
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Synopsis
Focusing on the implications of the law for practitioners, this annually updated text examines legal issues affecting journalism, political speech, and commercial and electronic media. The first amendment, methods of control, libel, privacy and personal security, intellectual property, political speech, advertising, obscenity and indecency, the media and the judiciary, protection of news sources, and access to information. Introductory communication law.
Synopsis
Focusing on the implications of the law for practitioners, this annually updated text examines legal issues affecting journalism, political speech, and commercial and electronic media. The 2005 Edition of this top-selling media law text includes the most current information available, explaining the law as it applies to the daily work of writers, broadcasters, advertisers, cable operators, Internet service providers, public relations practitioners, photographers, and other public communicators.
Synopsis
The 2010 Update of this top-selling media law text includes the most current legal developments affecting the daily work of writers, broadcasters, advertisers, cable operators, Internet service providers, public relations practitioners, photographers, and other public communicators. By presenting statutes and cases in a cohesive manner that is understandable, even to readers studying law for the first time, the authors ensure that readers will acquire a firm grasp of the legal issues affecting the media.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Public Communication and the Law
The Sources of Law
The Courts
The Litigation Process: Civil and Criminal
Working with the Law
Limitations of Law
Chapter 2 The First Amendment
Theory of Freedom of Expression
Regulating Expression
Tests
Scope of the First Amendment: The Hierarchy of Protected Expression
Who Is Protected?
Chapter 3 Methods of Control
Prior Restraints and Post-publication Punishment
Content-Neutral Regulations
Chapter 4 Libel
Libel Terminology
The Plaintiff
The Plaintiff’s Burden of Proof
The Defendant’s Case
Preventing Libel Suits
Ideas for Reform
Chapter 5 Privacy and Personal Security
Private Facts
Intrusion and Trespass
False Light
Commercialization
Emotional Distress and Personal Injury
Chapter 6 Intellectual Property
Copyright
Unfair Competition
Chapter 7 Political Speech
Referenda and Other Public Issues
Elections
Regulation of Political Candidate Broadcast Programming
Regulation of Public Issue Programming: The Fairness Doctrine
Lobbying: The Right to Petition
Chapter 8 Commercial Speech
First Amendment and Advertising
Unfair and Deceptive Advertising
Federal Remedies
Other Federal Regulations
Media’s Right to Refuse Advertising
Self-Regulation
Securities Transactions
Chapter 9 Obscenity and Indecency
Obscenity
Indecency
Violent Pornography
Controlling Non-obscene Sexual Expression
Chapter 10 The Media and the Judiciary
Defining Jury Bias
Remedies for Prejudicial Publicity
Controlling Conduct in Court
Controlling Prejudicial Publicity
Voluntary Cooperation
Contempt Power
Chapter 11 Protection of News Sources, Notes, and Tape
Protection under the Common Law
Protection under the First Amendment
Protection under State Statutes
Protection under Federal Statutes and Regulations
Congressional Authority
Search Warrants
Breaching Confidentiality
Chapter 12 Access to Information
Access and the Constitution
Access to Events
Access to Records
Access to Meetings
Obtaining Access: A Final Word
Appendix A Finding and Reading the Law
Appendix B The First Fourteen Amendments to the Constitution
Glossary
Case Index
Subject Index