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Leerdoelen
The main aims of this course are to enable students to:
- apply their knowledge of international legal standards governing the media to the concrete facts of real/fictitious cases;
- assess the extent to which key principles of media freedom and regulation are reflected in international standards;
- compare, contrast and critically analyse different regulatory and policy approaches to selected themes;
- evaluate the range of public-interest priorities that influence law- and policy-making, as well as relevant practice;
- identify shortcomings in the existing international framework for media regulation and recommend suitable strategies for addressing them.
Inhoud
There is no doubt that the media are very influential actors in modern society. Their ability to spread information and ideas very widely and speedily, and to provide a forum for discussion, gives them a crucial place in democratic society. More specifically, they can enhance the quality of debate on matters of public interest and make such debate accessible for a broad range of indviduals and groups. On the other hand, the media are often accused of abusing their power, by presenting material in a false, distorted, biased, sensationalist or offensive manner, or by excluding certain interests and opinions.
International media law and policy have no choice but to engage with these tensions between the ideals and realities that define media activities in practice. They seek to create an environment in which the media can fulfil their democratic tasks without political or other interference, and promote various public interests. They also seek to prevent malpractice on the part of the media.
The course will introduce and explain a selection of key theories of media freedom and regulation, as developed in legal and non-legal academic disciplines. It will present and examine leading European and international legal standards governing media activities. Different types of media (eg. public service, commercial, local, community, transnational) have different objectives, which are reflected in law and policy approaches and in practice. The course will also offer specific focuses on selected aspects of media freedoms, responsibilities and activities: human rights aspects; journalistic aspects; socio-cultural aspects, and technological and economic aspects.
Onderwijsvorm
Six seminars (x 2 hours)
Onderwijstijden
Day-time
Studiemateriaal
To be announced
Toetsvorm
Paper or written exam (depending on the number of participating students)
Bijzonderheden
Only students who have been admitted to the Master Information Law may follow this course as an optional course. This course will build on the knowledge acquired by these students in the basic course
Informatierecht (10 EC) / Information Law and offer in-depth exploration of key themes introduced in first semester.
Attendance of the classes is mandatory in order to be able to take part in the exam.
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