Legal Aspects of Media

Master 2019/2020

Category 'Best Course for Career Development'

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Compulsory course (International News Production)

Area of studies: Media Communications

Delivered by: Institute of Media

Where: Faculty of Creative Industries

When: 1 year, 4 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Alexey Nikolov, Gennadiy Igorevich Uvarkin

Master’s programme: International News Production

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 40

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course "Legal aspects of media" is aimed at developing an understanding of the role of law in a democratic society, and the basics of media legislation. Students will learn about the main sources of media law; basic principles of media regulation in Russia; legal basis of editorial activity; on the scope of rights and obligations of subjects of mass information relations; legal restrictions on the dissemination of information in media; the basics of copyright law, and the general requirements for advertising in mass-media. Students will also learn how to use the sources of media law in their professional activities; to carry out professional activities in accordance with the rules of law; to use and protect their professional rights in the interests of providing citizens with the necessary information, and successful and smooth functioning of media organizations. Students will gain experience in identifying typical violations that occur during professional activities in the field of media.

Learning Objectives

To build an understanding of the role of law in a democratic society
To provide insight into the the basics of legislation in the field of mass media, the basics of the right to freedom of expression, the rights and obligations of a journalist in editorial work
To train in the application of legal knowledge gained during the course in editorial work; in the protection of journalist rights in the interests of freedom of expression, freedom of creativity and the development of popular culture

Expected Learning Outcomes

Identifies the main sources of media law at the international and national levels
Classifies the rights and obligations of journalists.
Identifies differences in the legal status of registered mass media, and new media.
Classifies and distinguishes information rights of citizens and journalists
Specifies types of information, access to which is limited by the legislation of the Russian Federation
Evaluates content in accordance with the requirements and provisions of the Federal Law No. 436-FZ "On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development"
Classifies infringements on honor, dignity and business reputation depending on the type of legal liability
Distinguishes the right to refute from the right to reply
Interprets the concepts of "fact," "value judgment," "fake" in the context of international standards and national legislation
Specifies the guarantees of privacy protection provided by the Russian legislation
Solves cases related to the right to privacy in the context of professional journalism
Analyzes content in terms of compliance with Russian anti-extremist legislation and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights
Classifies and interprets possible cases of free use of work in journalistic activities
Classifies authors' rights, in accordance with the provisions of Part Four of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation
Identifies the criteria of eligibility for copyright protection
Distinguishes and defines the types of liability for violation of the author's rights in a particular case
Classifies the types of advertising prohibited in the Russian Federation
Specifies the basic requirements and restrictions for media advertising, in accordance with the Federal Law "On Advertising"
Describes the peculiarities of the legal status of journalists and the media during the election campaign, in accordance with the Federal Law No. 67-FZ of 12 June 2002 “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum”
Reveals the difference in the concepts of "informing" and "election campaigning"

Course Contents

Sources of media law
Subject, structure and objectives of the course. The concept of media law. Freedom of thought and speech as an inalienable human right. Sources of media law: Constitution, international treaties, laws, presidential decrees and government regulations. The Constitution of the Russian Federation (1993) as a fundamental legal act. International guarantees of freedom of expression: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, European Convention on Human Rights. The concept of media freedom. The case-law of the European Court of Human Rights: violations of Article 10 of the European Convention. The law of the Russian Federation "On mass media" (1991): history of adoption.
Organization of editorial work
The Russian Statute “On Mass Media” (1991) as the main statute regulating the sphere of mass media in Russia. Media registration and licensing. The main concepts: mass media, editorial staff , editor-in-chief, journalist. Confidentiality of editorial information. The rights and duties of journalists. The Abuse of Freedom of expression. Confidentiality of journalistic sources. Obstruction of the legitimate professional activities of journalists (Article 144 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). Organization of editorial activities. Editorial charter, content and procedure for its adoption. Transparency of property relations. Restrictions on media ownership for foreigners. The legal status of new media in the Russian Federation.
Freedom of information
Right to information. Access to information for citizens and media outlets. Federal Statute “On ensuring access to information on the activities of state bodies and local authorities”. Freedom of information dissemination. Request for information. The procedure for refusal or delay in providing information. Types of liability for failure to provide information. Publicity of judicial proceedings, exceptions to this principle. Federal Statute “On ensuring access to information on the activities of courts in the Russian Federation”. State secret, trade secret, other confidential information. Legal status of the owner of the news aggregator. Register of news aggregators.
Protection of children from harmful media content
Federal Law No. 436-FZ “On Protecting Children from Information Harmful to Their Health and Development.” The basic concepts of the law. Age classification of films and programs. Relevant restrictions for the turnover of content that is banned or restricted for dissemination among children. Content evaluation in accordance with the law. Roskomnadzor mandate in the field of protecting children from harmful information in the media.
Protection of honor, dignity, and business reputation
Protection of honor, dignity and reputation. The Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Article 152) and Decree of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 24 February 2005 “On Judicial Practice in Cases on the Protection of Honor and Dignity of Citizens, as well as the Business Reputation of Citizens and Legal Entities.” Dissemination of defamatory information. Refutation and response, the order of their dissemination. Compensation for non-pecuniary damage. Protection of business reputation. Interpretation of the concepts "fact and evaluation (comment)", "information and opinion." Honor and dignity of politicians. Declaration on freedom of political debate in the media (adopted by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers). Slander and insult. Insult of representative of authority. The law on “blatant disrespect for society.” "Fake news."
Privacy protection
Guarantees of privacy protection. Personal data of individuals. Federal Law of 27 July 2006 N 152-FZ “On Personal Data.” Right to the protection of one’s image. Responsibility for violation of the legislation on personal data. Consent to the dissemination of information. Circumstances allowing journalists to use materials prepared with the use of hidden audio- and video-recording under the Russian law “On mass media.” Protection of public interests. Personal life of public figures. Judicial practice.
Information Security
Prohibition of censorship. Information security. Information Security Doctrine. Restrictions to counter terrorism and extremism. Federal Statute of 6 March 2006, No. 35-FZ “On Counteracting Terrorism.” Federal Statute of the Russian Federation of 25 July 2002, No. 114-FZ “On Counteracting Extremist Activity.” Federal Statute of the Russian Federation of 27 July 2006, No. 149-FZ “On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information,” its basic concepts. Unified register of the domain names, website references and network addresses that allow identifying websites containing information circulation of which is forbidden in the Russian Federation. Responsibility for “likes” and “reposts.” Decriminalization of criminal offenses related to extremism.
Intellectual property
The difference between physical property and intellectual property. Part IV of Civil Code of The Russian Federation on the protection of intellectual property. Copyright. Related rights. The content and form of the work. Registration, term of copyright protection. Non-property rights and exclusive rights of authors. Ways to use rights. Right of remuneration. Intellectual property contracts. The specifics of the copyright relations in the media. Copyright in an interview. Copyright for news reporting. Work for hire. Collective management of copyright. Works not protected by copyright. The possibility of free use of works without the consent of the author and without payment of royalties. Responsibility for intellectual property rights violation.
Legal regulation of advertising
Advertising and freedom of mass information. General provisions of the Federal Law of the Russian Federation “On Advertising”. Prohibition of unfair and untruthful advertisement. Hidden advertising. Restrictions on advertising of alcohol and tobacco products, drugs, medicines, medical and other goods and services. Features of advertising in radio and television programs. Rights and obligations of advertisers, advertising producers and distributors. Functions of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the field of state regulation of advertising. Self-regulation of advertising activities. Consumer rights. Protection of the interests of minors. Advertising publications and TV channels. Sponsored advertising. Specifics of "product placement" regulation. Practice of application of the legislation on advertising.
Media activities during the pre-election period
Free elections and free media. The principle of equal rights of candidates with regard to access to the media. The main provisions of the Federal Law No. 67-FZ of 12 June 2002 “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” The concept and types of election campaigning. Election campaigning and informing of voters. General conditions of campaigning in mass media. Air time on TV and radio, and print space in print periodicals provided to registered candidates. Campaigning Period. Transparency of the activities of election commissions. Publication of the results of opinion polls. Publication of voting results. Responsibility of mass media and journalists for violation of the legislation on elections. Legal status of candidate-journalist.

Assessment Elements

Attendance
Work during seminars (solving cases, completing tasks)
Essay
Written exam (test)

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (4 module)
0.1 * Attendance + 0.15 * Essay + 0.25 * Work during seminars (solving cases, completing tasks) + 0.5 * Written exam (test)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Под ред. Близнеца И.А. - Право интеллектуальной собственности. 2-е издание. Учебник - Проспект - 2019 - ISBN: 978-5-392-29499-2 - Текст электронный // ЭБС Проспект - URL: http://ebs.prospekt.org/book/31094
Под ред. Федотова М.А. - ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЕ ПРАВО. Учебник для бакалавриата, специалитета и магистратуры - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 497с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-10593-3 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/informacionnoe-pravo-430915
Правовые основы журналистики : учебник для вузов, Рихтер, А. Г., 2002
Правовые основы журналистики : учебник для вузов, Рихтер, А. Г., 2017
Рассолов И. М. - ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЕ ПРАВО 5-е изд., пер. и доп. Учебник и практикум для академического бакалавриата - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 347с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-04348-8 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/informacionnoe-pravo-431833
Шершеневич Г. Ф. ; Сост. Белов В. А. - АВТОРСКОЕ ПРАВО НА ЛИТЕРАТУРНЫЕ ПРОИЗВЕДЕНИЯ - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 274с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-06842-9 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/avtorskoe-pravo-na-literaturnye-proizvedeniya-438781

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Бачило И. Л. - ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЕ ПРАВО 5-е изд., пер. и доп. Учебник для академического бакалавриата - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 419с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-00608-7 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/informacionnoe-pravo-431119
Близнец И.А., Леонтьев К.Б. - Авторское право и смежные права. 2-е издание. Учебник - Проспект - 2015 - ISBN: 978-5-392-18840-6 - Текст электронный // ЭБС Проспект - URL: http://ebs.prospekt.org/book/29142
Под ред. Близнеца И.А. - Интеллектуальная собственность в современном мире. Монография - Проспект - 2017 - ISBN: 978-5-392-23502-5 - Текст электронный // ЭБС Проспект - URL: http://ebs.prospekt.org/book/33677
Правовые основы журналистики : учебник для вузов, Федотов, М. А., 2002

Course Syllabus