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COMM 384 Mass Communication Law
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Preface to the 7th Edition “Preparing this edition has been a challenge.” Fewer Supreme Court and significant lower court decisions New concerns “War on terrorism” Government secrecy Reluctance to make information available Lessening protection for reporters’ confidential sources Consolidation of ownership of media outlets “Preparing this edition has been a challenge.” Fewer Supreme Court and significant lower court decisions New concerns “War on terrorism” Government secrecy Reluctance to make information available Lessening protection for reporters’ confidential sources Consolidation of ownership of media outlets
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How Courts Apply the First Amendment Reasons for protecting freedom of speech Models of First Amendment analysis “Hate” speech KKK cross burnings Muslim cartoons Reasons for protecting freedom of speech Models of First Amendment analysis “Hate” speech KKK cross burnings Muslim cartoons
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Different Levels of First Amendment Protection Internet Print Cable Broadcasting Ownership rules and consolidation Internet Print Cable Broadcasting Ownership rules and consolidation
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Prior Restraint Government threats to prosecute the New York Times and other newspapers Pentagon Papers (1968) 2006 Secret prisons overseas for terror suspects (Pulitzer Prize) Leaks about domestic surveillance by unauthorized wiretaps (Pulitzer Prize)2010 WikiLeaks Government threats to prosecute the New York Times and other newspapers Pentagon Papers (1968) 2006 Secret prisons overseas for terror suspects (Pulitzer Prize) Leaks about domestic surveillance by unauthorized wiretaps (Pulitzer Prize)2010 WikiLeaks
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2010 Government did not seek to restrain WikiLeaks New York Times The Guardian Der Spiegel Government did not seek to restrain WikiLeaks New York Times The Guardian Der Spiegel
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Judicial Proceedings High profile cases--need to avoid trial by press (rather than a jury) Timothy McVeigh O.J. Simpson Michael Jackson Duke University Lacrosse Team alleged rape Casey Anthony High profile cases--need to avoid trial by press (rather than a jury) Timothy McVeigh O.J. Simpson Michael Jackson Duke University Lacrosse Team alleged rape Casey Anthony
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Elections Equal opportunity Reasonable access Indecent political ads 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission Equal opportunity Reasonable access Indecent political ads 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission
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Sexually Explicit Speech Obscenity not protected Indecency sometimes protected Broadcasting Cable Internet Janet Jackson and the Super Bowl Halftime FCC and recent indecency fines Fox Broadcasting v. F.C.C. (2009) Fox Broadcasting v. F.C.C. (2d Cir. 2010) Obscenity not protected Indecency sometimes protected Broadcasting Cable Internet Janet Jackson and the Super Bowl Halftime FCC and recent indecency fines Fox Broadcasting v. F.C.C. (2009) Fox Broadcasting v. F.C.C. (2d Cir. 2010)
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Commercial Speech/Advertising 1942 No 1A protection for advertising 1975 Balancing 1986-2006 Special problems Gambling Alcohol tobacco 1942 No 1A protection for advertising 1975 Balancing 1986-2006 Special problems Gambling Alcohol tobacco
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Defamation and Invasion of Privacy Harming reputation by communicating falsehoods about a person Invading privacy by disclosing truths about a person (that the person would prefer to keep to herself) Harming reputation by communicating falsehoods about a person Invading privacy by disclosing truths about a person (that the person would prefer to keep to herself)
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Physical Harm Behavior that copies bad media behavior Examples “The Deer Hunter” “The Burning Bed” “Natural Born Killers” How-to manuals about crime Behavior that copies bad media behavior Examples “The Deer Hunter” “The Burning Bed” “Natural Born Killers” How-to manuals about crime
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Copyright “The DaVinci Code” File sharing J K Rowling Artists’ Rights in Their Songs Bob Dylan Bruce Spreenstein Billy Joel, etc. “The DaVinci Code” File sharing J K Rowling Artists’ Rights in Their Songs Bob Dylan Bruce Spreenstein Billy Joel, etc.
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Trespass and Intrusion in News Gathering Covering accidents and disasters Undercover investigations Intercepting cell phone calls Use of outtakes Covering accidents and disasters Undercover investigations Intercepting cell phone calls Use of outtakes
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Access to Information/Places Held by Government Freedom of information after 9/11 Covering military operations Press pools Embedded reporters in Iraq Photographing caskets Freedom of information after 9/11 Covering military operations Press pools Embedded reporters in Iraq Photographing caskets
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Access to Judicial Proceedings Pre-trial hearings Jury selection Trial Special issues after 9/11 Pre-trial hearings Jury selection Trial Special issues after 9/11
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