Communications Law - JURD7322

Description

Recommended Prior Knowledge

Course Objectives

• Enable students to develop an understanding of the policy considerations which influence broadcasting and telecommunications regulation
• Provide students with an understanding of laws which govern electronic communications
• Provide students with an understanding of the variety of regulatory design approaches adopted or available for regulation of the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors
• Enable students to develop an appreciation of emerging issues in electronic communications regulation
• Assist students to become familiar with the policy debates and reform discussions relating to the specific legal topics covered in the course

• Have a sound knowledge of the current law in the relevant areas
• Have some knowledge of the policy background and, where relevant, the history of the current law
• Be able to form a reasoned view of the consistency of policy objectives and regulatory design
• Be able to apply the law to practical problems

Main Topics

• Introduction to the communications regulatory environment
• The law and regulation
• Regulating media and communications services: regulating broadcasting and telecommunications infrastructure and services; planning and licensing of services
• Regulating evolving technology and services: digital case study
• Competition in the media and telecommunications sector: cross-media and foreign ownership; competition in the telecommunications sector
• Media content regulation: broadcasting content regulation and enforcement; classification and content
• Universal service and consumer protection
• Online regulation

Assessment

Class participation		20%
Research essay		40%
Take-home examination		40%

Course Texts

• A. Grant, ed., Australian Telecommunications Regulation: The Communications Law Centre Guide (UNSW Press, 3rd ed., 2004)
• Course Materials available from the Bookshop