Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Yeshiva University

MEDIA LAW

FALL 2017

Faculty:Stephanie Abrutyn

Rachel Strom

Dates:August 30 – December 5

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Final grades will be based on class participation, including one presentation (20%) and an in-class final exam (80%).

Class attendance is mandatory and unexcused absences and repeated lateness will be factored into the class participation portion of your grade.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Mass Media Law: Cases and Materials, 9th edition,

byFranklin, Anderson and Lidsky

ISBN# 9781609304676

OTHER REQUIRED READING MATERIAL

• (MLRC) MediaLawDaily briefs. These will be assigned weekly to selected class members, who will then present an oral summary of the respective articles/cases that they have read. They will be made available to you online in advance of the class period during which they will be presented.

COURSE OUTLINE & ASSIGNMENTS

* The syllabus will be updated periodically throughout the semester, including additional reading assignments. Please make sure you refer to the most recent version (always available on Canvas).

Class #1 – August 29

First Amendment Litigation

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 2-29

Class #2 – September 5

First Amendment Theory and Prior Restraints

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 30-64

New York Times Co. v. U.S., 403 U.S. 713 (1971)

Murray Energy v. HBO briefing (on Canvas)

Class #3 – September 12

Compelled Speech

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 80-109

Class #4 – September 19

Libel I (Common Law, Elements of a Claim)

Reading Assignment: Textbook pages 185-203

Murray v. HBO Complaint

Class #5 – September 26

Libel II (Constitutional Libel)

Reading Assignment: Textbook pages 204-237

Class #6 – October 10

Libel III (Public Figure v Private Figure; Falsity)

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 237-255

Class #7 – Thursday, October 17

Libel IV (Defenses, Privileges and Online Libel)

Reading Assignment: Textbook pages 255-287

Edwards v. Nat’l Audubon Society, 556 F.2d 113

Class #8 – October 24

Privacy (False Light, Publication of Private Facts)

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 295-336

Class #9 – October 31

Privacy II (Misappropriation)

Reading Assignment: Textbook pages 297-351

Rothman Amicus Brief, Electronic Arts v. Davis

Class #10 – November 7

Newsgathering I (including intrusion)

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 443-508, 637-663

Class #11 – November 14

Newsgathering II (subpoenas)

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 509-560, 663-695

Class #12 – November 28

Copyright and Mass Media

Reading Assignment:Textbook pages 410-440

Video-Cinema Films, Inc. v. CNN, et al., 2001 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25687

Walker v. Time-Life Films, Inc., 784 F.2d 44 (2d Cir. 1986)

Class #13 – December 5

Putting It All Together/Review for Final Exam

Reading Assignment:PowerPoints from Previous Classes

TAKE HOME FINAL EXAM

Open book/notes (no Internet or new research materials permitted)

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