Defamation and the Media - LAWS8014

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Academic Program must be either 9200, 9210, 5740, 9230, 9231 or 5231
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 3 (more info)
 
 
Tuition Fee:See Tuition Fee Schedule
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description


The broad aims of this course are twofold: first, is to consider the significant restraints that defamation law and associated causes of action place on what can be published by the media; and second, is to consider whether the extent and scope of such restraints are appropriate. These aims are pursued through a detailed comparative analysis of defamation law in Australia, the UK and the US, as well as by looking at many of the practical aspects of defamation law that contribute to its impact on media freedom. Particular focus is placed on questioning the appropriate balance between the protection of personal reputation and the media’s perceived role in a democratic society as both ‘watchdog’ and ‘bloodhound’.


LLM Specialisations


Recommended Prior Knowledge


None

Course Objectives


A candidate who has successfully completed this course should:
  • have a detailed understanding of, and the ability to apply, Australian ‘black-letter’ defamation law;
  • identify and understand the practical issues that arise from liability under defamation law and how these impact on what the media can and/or will publish;
  • be able to critically evaluate the balance that is struck in defamation law between the protection of reputation and the protection of freedom of speech, drawing on examples from Australian, the UK and the US;
  • be able to critically evaluate key areas for reform;
  • be able to engaged in a sophisticated manner with a broad range of defamation law scholarship.

Main Topics


  • history of defamation law and the protection of reputation
  • overview of theoretical aspects of freedom of speech, the media and democracy
  • defamation: the cause of action in Australia, the UK and the US
  • defences to defamation
  • conflict of laws and jurisdiction, particularly in the context of internet publications
  • practical aspects of defamation
  • alternatives to defamation: Australian Press Council, Press Complaints Commission

Assessment


Class participation (Preparation and engagement in class) 20%
Take-home practical exercise or Essay  (6,000 words) 80%
 

Course Texts


Prescribed
None


Recommended
  • Des Butler and Sharon Rodrick, Australian Media Law (Pyrmont: Lawbook Co, 3rd ed 2007)
  • Andrew T. Kenyon, Defamation: Comparative Law and Practice (Oxford: UCL Press, 2006)
  • Eric Barendt, Freedom of Speech (Oxford: OUP, 2nd ed 2005)
  • Helen Fenwick & Gavin Phillipson, Media Freedom under the Human Rights Act (Oxford: OUP, 2006)
  • Geoffrey Robertson & Andrew Nicol, Media Law (London: Penguin Books, revised 5th ed, 2008).

Resources


Refer to Course Outline provided by lecturer at the beginning of session.