Media Law
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the study of the legal principles that govern the media system in Italy and Europe, in order to understand its historical evolution, the current structure and the prospects for development, in particular with regard to the problems posed by new information and communication technologies. The principles of the constitutional text, the European Convention on Human Rights and the charter of fundamental EU rights, freedom of expression and information and the balance between it and personal rights (identity, dignity and confidentiality) will be studied. Particular attention will be given to the contribution made by national, EU and European legal traditions, including through case study and sentencing analysis. Teaching is fully consistent with the objectives of the Course of Study, since the legal dimension is an integral part of the historical, social and cultural context within which the study of the tools and forms of multimedia communication must be conducted and addressed from a humanistic perspective.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to guide students in the acquisition of the essential legal knowledge in order to address the many problems that arise from the conflict between the rational of freedom of expression and information and the goods and values that are opposed to it, personal rights to dignity, identity and confidentiality. Students will thus be able to gain a richer and deeper awareness of the media's impact on society and on the personal rights, which will help in the study of historical evolution, and in the reconstruction of the current framework of the system of analysis for future prospects.
By the end of the course, the student must also have acquired the ability to frame, in fundamental legal terms, the conflicting situations that may arise in the exercise of professions related to the world of communication, identifying principles and rights at stake, proposing possible solutions and analysing their advantages and disadvantages.
By the end of the course, the student must also have acquired the ability to frame, in fundamental legal terms, the conflicting situations that may arise in the exercise of professions related to the world of communication, identifying principles and rights at stake, proposing possible solutions and analysing their advantages and disadvantages.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Until the end of the sanitary emergency the course will be subject to the following changes, except for different indications of which will be given timely notice.
Teaching methods:
The lessons will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform and, at the same time, they will be recorded and left available to students on the same platform. Therefore, it will be possible for students to follow them both synchronously and asynchronously. For every lesson additional materials (slides, case law and doctrinal material), useful for a better understanding of the topics, will be available on the Ariel platform. During the lessons, students may be asked to engage in some interactive activities (e.g., answer short questions, both multiple-choice and free-choice, or identify possible solutions to problematic cases), activities that can be carried out both by students who follow in synchronous mode and by those who prefer to attend asynchronously.
Syllabus and Bibliography:
The program and the reference material will not be changed.
Assessment methods and criteria:
The exam will take place in oral form, using the Microsoft Teams platform. Until the end of the emergency phase, the written test for attending students will not take place, and it will be replaced by an oral interview, to be held on the Microsoft Teams platform. If, by the end of the course, the health emergency will come to an end, the written test for the attending students could be reinstated. If this is the case, students will be promptly informed during the lessons and on the Ariel website of the course.
The exam will be aimed at:
- verify the knowledge of the legislative discipline and of the case law discussed in class;
- verify the ability to apply the notions acquired in solving specific problems;
- verify the ability to present in a clear and orderly manner, and the competence in the use of an adequate vocabulary.
Teaching methods:
The lessons will be held on the Microsoft Teams platform and, at the same time, they will be recorded and left available to students on the same platform. Therefore, it will be possible for students to follow them both synchronously and asynchronously. For every lesson additional materials (slides, case law and doctrinal material), useful for a better understanding of the topics, will be available on the Ariel platform. During the lessons, students may be asked to engage in some interactive activities (e.g., answer short questions, both multiple-choice and free-choice, or identify possible solutions to problematic cases), activities that can be carried out both by students who follow in synchronous mode and by those who prefer to attend asynchronously.
Syllabus and Bibliography:
The program and the reference material will not be changed.
Assessment methods and criteria:
The exam will take place in oral form, using the Microsoft Teams platform. Until the end of the emergency phase, the written test for attending students will not take place, and it will be replaced by an oral interview, to be held on the Microsoft Teams platform. If, by the end of the course, the health emergency will come to an end, the written test for the attending students could be reinstated. If this is the case, students will be promptly informed during the lessons and on the Ariel website of the course.
The exam will be aimed at:
- verify the knowledge of the legislative discipline and of the case law discussed in class;
- verify the ability to apply the notions acquired in solving specific problems;
- verify the ability to present in a clear and orderly manner, and the competence in the use of an adequate vocabulary.
Course syllabus
The course deals with the main issues of information and communication law under the perspective of constitutional and supranational principles. A specific analysis is devoted to the legal issues of new technologies of information and communication.
The first part (Part 1: 20 hours, 3 DFU) is focused on freedom of expression and its limits: the protection of freedom of expression in Italian Constitution, ECHR and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU; the freedom of information, critique and satire; freedom of expression and protection of personality rights (reputation, personal identity, privacy); freedom of expression and personal data protection; public decency protection, hate speech and crimes against the State and the public order; advertising and intellectual property law.
The second part (part 2: 20 hours, 3 CFU) is dedicated to the study of the media system and its principles (plurality, competition ad public intervention) and to the discipline of the specific medias: the legal framework of journalist profession and the protection of the sources, press law, internet law, broadcasting law and the public broadcasting service.
The first part (Part 1: 20 hours, 3 DFU) is focused on freedom of expression and its limits: the protection of freedom of expression in Italian Constitution, ECHR and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU; the freedom of information, critique and satire; freedom of expression and protection of personality rights (reputation, personal identity, privacy); freedom of expression and personal data protection; public decency protection, hate speech and crimes against the State and the public order; advertising and intellectual property law.
The second part (part 2: 20 hours, 3 CFU) is dedicated to the study of the media system and its principles (plurality, competition ad public intervention) and to the discipline of the specific medias: the legal framework of journalist profession and the protection of the sources, press law, internet law, broadcasting law and the public broadcasting service.
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary legal knowledge is required.
Teaching methods
The course consists of traditional lectures, in which particular attention will be paid on the analysis and comments of the case law. Class attendance, even not mandatory, is highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
Part 1: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte I, pagine 1-203.
Part 2: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte II, pagine 241-354.
Non attending students:
Part 1: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte I, pagine 1-237.
Part 2: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte II, pagine 241-421.
Part 1: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte I, pagine 1-203.
Part 2: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte II, pagine 241-354.
Non attending students:
Part 1: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte I, pagine 1-237.
Part 2: G. E. Vigevani, O. Pollicino, C. Melzi d'Eril, M. Cuniberti,. M. Bassini, Diritto dell'informazione e dei media, Giappichelli, Torino, 2019, parte II, pagine 241-421.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be oral and it will be aimed to test the knowledge and the judgment capacities of the student. Students attending class can choose to take a written test at the end of the course.
Erasmus Incoming Students will be able, if they want, to take the final exam in english, contacting previously the teacher to arrange a specific program.
Students with disability and learning disability are invited to contact the teacher to agree specific modalities of examination.
Erasmus Incoming Students will be able, if they want, to take the final exam in english, contacting previously the teacher to arrange a specific program.
Students with disability and learning disability are invited to contact the teacher to agree specific modalities of examination.
Unita' didattica A
IUS/09 - PUBLIC LAW - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
IUS/09 - PUBLIC LAW - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)