This course deals with the laws which seek to strike a balance between protection of the integrity of legal proceedings, on the one hand, and freedom of speech for the media, on the other. Topics include: relevant aspects of constitutional protection of freedom of speech in Australia; the principles of contempt of court, together with associated statutory provisions, in their application to media publications (scandalising the court; the sub judice doctrine; restrictions on reporting court proceedings or jury deliberations; journalists' confidential sources; remedies; procedural aspects). Attention is paid to the operation of the relevant laws in practice, to the impact of new technologies of communication and to theoretical, historical, comparative and policy aspects of the various topics.


Note: This course will be taught during the first half of Session 2