Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Description Module Content & Assessment Indicative Content and Learning Activities The legal profession and the court system; civil and criminal court procedure; sources of law Legal history; The Common Law: Judge-made and statute law; Constitution of Ireland, in particular Article 40.6; Irish law in the international context: effect of European Union and Council of Europe membership; the courts; evidence. Defamation Defamation Act 2009; truth and defamation. Defences: absolute and qualified privilege; fair comment on matters of public interest; apology and offer of amends; reform; comparison with other jurisdictions. Contempt of court Restrictions prior to initiation of court proceedings; potential effect on right to fair trial, whether in civil or criminal case; the sub judice rule. The journalist's claim to confidentiality of sources Irish law and the European Convention on Human Rights. Proposals for reform. Regulation of media Broadcasting Act 2009, the role of the Press Council, the regulation of new media Privacy The intersection of the Right to Privacy and the concept of freedom of expression Access to official documents Official Secrets Act 1963 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014. The Access to information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations 2007-2014. Intellectual Property Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000/Copyright and Other Intellectual Property Law Provisions Act 2019. What is the concept of copyright and how does it shape content creation and use? Data The principles of Data Protection and the key concepts of fairness, transparency and integrity. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 & 2011 ePrivacy Regulations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Learning Outcomes 1. Recognise and assess the relevance of legal history to society, as well as of constitutional and other legal frameworks. 2. Recognise and assess legal risk associated with defamation, contempt of court, copyright and privacy. 3. Evaluate the relevance to society of Freedom of Information law. 4. Understand the need for sound legal practice in reporting and production. 5. Appraise and critique the regulatory framework for media and its relationship to ethical codes. 6. Update and deepen her/his knowledge through further research. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicative Content and Learning Activities
The legal profession and the court system; civil and criminal court procedure; sources of law Legal history; The Common Law: Judge-made and statute law; Constitution of Ireland, in particular Article 40.6; Irish law in the international context: effect of European Union and Council of Europe membership; the courts; evidence. Defamation Defamation Act 2009; truth and defamation. Defences: absolute and qualified privilege; fair comment on matters of public interest; apology and offer of amends; reform; comparison with other jurisdictions. Contempt of court Restrictions prior to initiation of court proceedings; potential effect on right to fair trial, whether in civil or criminal case; the sub judice rule. Special rule for criminal proceedings: Criminal Procedure Act 1967 (as amended in 1999) The journalist's claim to confidentiality of sources Irish law and the European Convention on Human Rights. Proposals for reform. Statutory regulation of broadcasting Broadcasting Act 2009 Privacy Privacy Bill 2006 and subsequent developments Access to official documents Official Secrets Act 1963 and the Freedom of Information Act 2014 Copyright Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 Data Data Protection & Freedom of Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||