TOPIC 9. Mass Media Law
Media means communication the means used to communicate information. We can use a variety of Media ( slides, video, handouts) to communicate ideas through print media , newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, films and advertising
Much of the information transmitted the by media is neutral: does not offend anyone or interfere with the rights of others. However e right to communicate (freedom of depression) is limited with restrictions introducedto protect the right to privacy, Government secrecy, the right not to have one’s reputationruined unjustifiably
Media Law, Itherefore concerns itself with , controlling the right to freedom of expression an considering nether these limits represent a reasonable balance between competing interests
The actions in Mass Media causing trouble for which people bear legal responsibility are as follows: 1. National Security Secret or official information should not be revealed in Mass Media.
2. Breach of Confidence A person should not take advantage of confidence gained from the plaintiff or anonimous sources. 3. Defamation Discreditation of someone’s reputation by libel (in written form) and slander (orally). 4 Obscenity— presentation of morally diisgusting facts.
Blasphemy— speaking in an irrelevant ind insulting way about God (swearing", using God’s name in vain). E. g. : The author and the publisher of “Satanic Verses” was tried in court on the grounds that the book was blasphemous.
Freedom of expression is protected by Article 10 European Convention on Human Rights. But «free speech does not mean free speechit means speech hedged in : by all the laws against defamation blasphemy, sedition and so forth. It means freedom governed by law »
There is no right to privacy in English law. However, more recently, there were recommended some reforms. Problems arise in defining the point beyond which the press’s right to freedom of expression and inquiry becomes an unacceptable intrusion upon an individual’s right to privacy. It is claimed that necessary investigative journalism . will ceasedue to fear of criminal prosecutions
To sum up we can say that the media in the future will be of great value and be an independent branch of law.