Introduction to Media Law: Journalism Focus
MEJO 340, Section 2
Spring 2017
Syllabus
Instructor: Laura Lee
Classroom: Carroll 33
Office hours: 6:15-7:30pm Monday and Wednesday
Phone: (919) 357-8355
E-mail address:
Prerequisite: MEJO 153
This section of MEJO 340 is not for public relations, advertising or strategic communication students.
Texts:
Robert Trager, et al., The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication, 5th ed., Thousand Oaks, Calif.: CQ Press, 2016. (Be sure to buy THIS edition.)
Cathy Packer, Hugh Stevens & C. Amanda Martin, eds., North Carolina Media Law Handbook, 20012-13. (This is on online book. To access it, go to You will have to register and pay $25 to obtain a password. Then you will have access for at least one year.)
Sakai:
PowerPoint slides, reserve readings, practice exam questions and other materials will be posted on the Sakai site for this course. The UNC Sakai service is located at
Course Objectives/Professional Values and Competencies:
The School recognizes that only professional communicators possessing knowledge of mass communication law can thoughtfully assert their rights and avoid needless infractions of the law. This course is designed to make professionals – reporters, producers, copy editors, broadcasters, bloggers, web designers, photographers and others – expert in recognizing their legal rights to gather, prepare and disseminate news and other information. The course also is designed to instill in students an appreciation of the role of free expression in a democracy.
Course Work:
Success in this class requires thorough reading. Most of the reading will be from the assigned texts with some additional readings assigned online. Additional readings may be assigned besides those listed on the assignment sheet. All reading assignments should be completed before the class for which they are assigned. Attention to detail is crucial, both in law and in journalism. The class will be taught in an interactive lecture format. You are expected to engage in course discussions.
There will be three examinations, including a comprehensive final examination.
Class Discussion Board:
You should use the discussion board to practice solving legal hypotheticals, a type of question(s) you will see on your exams. Participation on the discussion board will not be graded, but it is one of the best ways to prepare for exams.
Professionalism:
Several components of this class will focus on professionalism, and it will comprise part of your final grade.
One element of professionalism is attendance and attention. Class attendance is vital. The reading is often complex and dense, and class attendance will provide opportunities for explanation and understanding.
Each student is permitted two absences during the semester. You do not need to offer an excuse or explanation for these two absences. After the two absences, each additional absence will results in a 1point deduction from the professionalism portion of your final grade. Use your allocated absences wisely. No additional absences will be granted for job interviews, other courses or activities. Please do not request additional absences.
You are expected to sign-in to the roll sheet at the start of each course. Late arrivals will be absences. If you need to leave the class before it ends, you must notify the professor by email prior to class. Otherwise, early departure will be considered an absence. Signing in for someone else is a violation of the Honor Code and will be treated as such.
As journalism professionals, you will almost always work under a deadline. The paper will go to print or the show will go to air at a non-negotiable time. As training for this type of work environment, there are no tardies in this class. If you arrive late to class, it will be counted as an absence.
Students are required to attend at least one media law-related lecture/event outside of class hours during the semester. Students who are unable to attend an assigned lecture/event must talk with the professor. She will assign another lecture/event to attend. Students who fail to attend an assigned lecture/event or an approved alternative lecture/event will have 1 point deducted from their final grade.
Another element of professionalism is providing courtesy and respect to your instructor and fellow students. Course time is for understanding material and contributing to class discussion. There should be no use of cell phones, computers or tablets. In the same vein, napping in class is disrespectful and unprofessional. It will also result in a 1 point deduction from the professionalism portion of your grade.
Participation in class discussions is another part of professionalism. Ask questions, offer insights and be attentive and respectful. One tip for participation is to print out any slides or notes in advance of class. Then you will be free to be fully present in the discussion and not worrying about copying down notes.
Your professor will communicate through email and the Sakai listserv. It is your responsibility to read the emails. There will undoubtedly be updates and changes to assignments throughout the semester, and these will be communicated through email.
You may email me at . In the subject line of your email, please put “MEJO 340.” I will be available to talk anytime after class (6:15pm). I am also happy to arrange another mutually convenient time to chat.
This is not a class for which you can cram. Study hard and do the reading as we progress through the semester- not just the night before the exam. Study groups are an important part of the law school experience, and I highly encourage you to form study groups for this class.
Accreditation:
The School of Media and Journalism’s accrediting body outlines a number of values you should be aware of and competencies you should be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate from our program. Learn more about them here:
No single course could possibly give you all of these values and competencies; but collectively, our classes are designed to build your abilities in each of these areas. Among the Professional Values and Competencies for accreditation that will be addressed in this course is understanding and applying the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press in the United States, as well as having an understanding of the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances. Our focus in this course will be American law, but the course will include selected international and foreign media law principles and the extent and role of free speech and press in other countries.
Honor Code:
The Honor Code and the Campus Code, embodying the ideals of academic honesty, integrity and responsible citizenship, have for over 100 years governed the performance of all academic work and student conduct at the University. Acceptance by a student of enrollment in the University presupposes a commitment to the principles embodied in these codes and a respect for this most significant University tradition.
Your participation in this course comes with the expectation that your work will be completed in full observance of the Honor Code. Academic dishonesty in any form is unacceptable, because any breach in academic integrity, however small, strikes destructively at the University's life and work.
The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance, which contains the provisions of the Honor Code, states that students have four general responsibilities under the Code:
- Obey and support the enforcement of the Honor Code;
- Refrain from lying, cheating, or stealing;
- Conduct themselves so as not to impair significantly the welfare or the educational opportunities of others in the University community; and
- Refrain from conduct that impairs or may impair the capacity of University and associated personnel to perform their duties, manage resources, protect the safety and welfare of members of the University community, and maintain the integrity of the University.
The Instrument defines plagiarism as "deliberate or reckless representation of another's words, thoughts, or ideas as one's own without attribution in connection with submission of academic work, whether graded or otherwise."
Please submit all written work with the following pledge: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment.”
Students Needing Academic Accommodations
Students who may need academic accommodations and associated resources, like extended testing time, must contact the Department of Accessibility Resources and Service (DARS) in a timely manner to determine whether and to what to extent such accommodations or resources are necessary for this course. Only DARS can make this determination for you – not your professor. It is the goal of UNC to “ensure that all programs and facilities of the University are accessible to all members of the University community.” If you think this might apply to you, please contact DARS as soon as possible either by telephone at 962-8300 or through the DARS website at for additional information. Please know that I am fully committed to this policy and will abide by any recommendations DARS makes for you for this course.
Diversity and Inclusivity
The University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community, and prohibiting discrimination and harassment. Please review the University policy statements on diversity and inclusivity, and prohibited harassment and discrimination, both in The Undergraduate Bulletin 2014-2015 at Please know that I am fully committed to fostering and enforcing these policies.
Final Grades:
Professionalism: Attendance and participation 20
First examination 25
Second examination 25
Final examination 30
100
*** Makeup exams will be given only in cases of emergencies and then only if your instructor is notified in advance of the scheduled exam. If you miss an exam without permission, your grade will be a zero.
Grading Scale:
A: 94-100
A-: 90-93
B+: 87-89
B: 84-86
B- 80-83
C+: 77-79
C: 74-76
C-: 70-73
D: 65-69
F: 64 and below
Schedule
Spring 2017
Note:Reading assignments noted as being in Trager are in The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication, 2016 ed. Reading assignments noted as being in NC are in the North Carolina Media Law Handbook.
*****This list will change as we progress through the semester so please read your email for updates.
Assignments should be completed BEFORE the class meeting.
Week 1: Wednesday, January 11:
In-Class: Course Overview: Answering questions about the syllabus and going over expectations for the course. Brief review of legal system and process.
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 1 in Trager
Watch: Video about the U.S. Supreme Court:
Explore: This online description of the court system in North Carolina:
Listen: RadioLab Presents: More Perfect Podcast, “Kittens Kick The Giggly Blue Robot All Summer” (Episode dated July 1, 2016). (Feel free to skip the last five minutes where they explain the silly title.)
Week 2: NO CLASS on Monday, January 16 (MLK Jr. Day), Class resumes Wednesday January 18:
In-Class: The structure of the court system. Introduction to the First Amendment.
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 2 in Trager.
Week 3: Monday January 23 and Wednesday, January 25:
In-Class: The First Amendment and prior restraint.
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 3 in Trager
Week 4: Monday, January 30 and Wednesday, February 1
In-Class: Copyright law
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 12 in Trager.
Explore: U.S. Copyright Office website at
Week 5: Monday, February 6 and Wednesday, February 8
Monday In-class: Exam Prep
Wednesday: Exam 1 (Please bring a Scantron sheet and No. 2 pencils.)
Week 6: Monday, February 13 and Wednesday, February 15
In-Class: Introduction to libel
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 4 Trager and the “Libel” chapter in NC
Week 7: Monday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 22
In-Class: Libel (continued)
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 5 in Trager
Week 8: NO CLASS on Monday, February 27; Class resumes on Wednesday, March 1
There will be no class on Monday, February 27. In lieu of class, you will attend a media law event to be identified by your instructor during the semester.
Wednesday:
In-class: Libel (continued)
Assignment for next week:
Read: New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), at sure to read all three opinions – the majority opinion and the two concurring opinions.) Finish readings assigned for Week 6.
Week 9: Monday, March 6 and Wednesday, March 8
In-Class: Libel (continued)
Assignment for week after Spring Break:
Read:“50 years after New York Times v. Sullivan, do courts still value journalists' watchdog role?”
And “A daily’s loss in court may cause journalists to rethink how they communicate”
Week 10: NO CLASS on Monday, March 13 and NO CLASS on Wednesday, March 15
Spring Break!
Week 11: Monday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 22
Monday: Review for exam
Wednesday: Exam 2 (Please bring a Scantron sheet and No. 2 pencils.)
Assignment for next week: Read: Chapter 6 in Trager; “Invasion of Privacy and Infliction of Emotional Distress” chapter in NC; and Hall v. Post, 323 N.C. 259 (1988), at
Week 12: Monday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 29
In-class: Introduction to privacy
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 7 (pages 305-328 only) in Trager
Week 13: Monday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 5
In-Class: Newsgathering
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 8 in Trager and “The Journalist’s Privilege” chapter in NC
And “If Donald Trump Targets Journalists, Thank Obama.”
Week 14: Monday, April 10 and Wednesday, April 12
In-Class: Journalist’s Privilege
Assignment for next week:
Read: Chapter 7 (pages 329-51 only) and Chapter 9 in Trager.
In NC, read “Access to Government Meetings,” “Access to the Judicial Process” and “Access to State and Local Government Documents.”
Week 15: Monday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 19
In-Class: Access to information
Assignment for next week:
Explore: The N.C. Department of Correction’s policy on who can witness executions at
Read: Chapter 10 in Trager
Week 16: Monday April 24 and Wednesday, April 26
In-Class: Regulation of electronic media
Final Examination
Tuesday, May 9 at 4pm.
You must take the final exam at this time.