Mining an intense commitment and driving vision to reach today's students, combined with teaching experience of nearly 50 years, the authors of this new text offer an exciting alternative in the field of mass media law. Highly praised by reviewers, the book's dynamic visual design and innovative pedagogy, engage contemporary students - complementing the comprehensive coverage and organization seen in traditional texts. "The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication" features a wealth of new elements and strategies that encourage students, to read the text closely, and aid in critical evaluation of the complex and shifting field of media law.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Rule of Law Sources of the Law The Court System The Supreme Court The Case Process Finding the Law Chapter 2: The First Amendment The Origins of the First Amendment Foundations of First Amendment Theory First Amendment Values Contemporary Prior Restraints Content-Neutral and Content-Based Laws Public Forums Media Emergence, Convergence & Consolidation Chapter 3: Disruptive Speech: Threats to Social Stability and Personal Safety Threats to National Security Clear and Present Danger Hate Speech Protests Hostile Audiences Compelled Speech Chapter 4: Libel: The Plaintiff's Case Some Contemporary Issues A Brief History Statement of Fact Publication Identification Defamation Falsity Fault Damages Chapter 5: Libel: Defense Issues and Strategies Truth Opinion Fair Comment and Criticism Letters to the Editor Fair Report Privilege Parody/Rhetorical Hyperbole Summary Judgment Jurisdiction Neutral Reportage Wire Service Defense Single Publication Rule Libel-Proof Plaintiff Single Mistake Rule Statue of Limitations Retractions Chapter 6: Privacy in a Global, Mediated World: Challenges to Personal Privacy Sources of privacy protection Privacy law's development Appropriation Intrusion Private facts False Light Government Responses to Privacy Concerns Chapter 7: Emotional Distress, Physical Harm, and Other Dangers Emotional Distress Physical harm Other Dangers Chapter 8: Media and the Courts: Preserving Public Trials and Preventing Prejudice Fair trials and prejudicial speech Gag orders Access to Trials Access to Court Records Chapter 9: Newsgathering for Converging Media: Pitfalls and Protections / Access to Public Records / Access to Public Meetings / Access to Courtrooms and Court Records / Access to Electronic Records and Virtual Meetings / Access to Crime Scenes and Events of Public Interest Chapter 10: Reporter's Privilege: Protecting the Watchdogs Reporter's Privilege Breaking Promises Search Warrants Chapter 11: Advertising: The Convergence of Speech and Commerce / First Amendment Protection for Commercial Speech / Federal, State and Industry Advertising Restrictions / Economic & Business Considerations Chapter 12: Broadcast, Cable, DBS, and Internet Regulation The development of electronic media regulation Broadcast regulation Cable television regulation Direct broadcast satellites Internet Chapter 13: Offensive Speech: Social Norms and Legal Standards Comstock and Hicklin Current obscenity definition Broadcast indecency Television program ratings and the V-chip Cable indecency Internet indecency Public funds for "pornographic" art Labeling recordings Restricting adult stores through zoning Dial-a-porn: telephone indecency Chapter 14: Special Concerns About Children & Schools:Unique Harms and Conflicting Interests Vulnerable students Other vulnerable groups and other contexts Speech in public schools Speech in universities Chapter 15: Intellectual Property: Encouraging and Protecting Creativity in an Interconnected Electronic World / Copyright / Trademark / Challenges of Digitization Glossary Case Index Subject Index