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Outlines of subjects offered

MEDIA LAW TRAINING:

The Communications Law Centre's Media Law Training courses give a detailed overview of the interaction of different reporting restrictions, how they work in practice and how to avoid traps as well as using the right approach to get stories published or broadcast.

These courses help in defending the decision to print or broadcast a story if someone complains or a cause is brought to court. In doing so, each individual training course focuses on a particular area of law or media activity.

Introduction:

The media in the country are subject to a range of laws and codes of practice which are relevant to the day to day reporting of news and current affairs.

The simple starting point is that there is no universal "freedom of speech" in Australia; the right of the media and the public to talk about and disseminate information is always covered by legal and ethical restrictions. The laws attempt to balance free speech and the sometimes negative consequences of speech on individuals and society. It is useful to remember that most of these laws are not specifically directed against journalists, but as mass communicators the media are the most likely to cross the line.

Some of the laws protect people's rights and other laws address more general public policy concerns.

All courses are available Australia wide.

MEDIA LAW COURSE (4 DAYS)

Includes manuals and assignments

Day No 1: DEFAMATION 1
Provides an introduction to defamation law as it applies to the media and is the first of two modules for this course.

Day No 2: DEFAMATION 2
Further explores defamation law as it applies to the media and is to be undertaken after the completion of the first module of this two module course.

Day No 3: CONTEMPT
Covers the law of contempt as it applies to the media and the concept of "open justice". This includes reporting restrictions (sub judice contempt, suppression orders, protected persons, etc) as well as the restrictions on the conduct of journalists (breaching court orders, contempt in the face of the court, revealing of sources etc).

Day No 4: NEWSGATHERING
Covers various laws that restrict the media from gathering news such as freedom of information (FOI), trespass, nuisance, stalking, privacy, surveillance and police powers. Furthermore, this course covers various censorship and national security laws that restrict media content and other laws such as copyright and confidential information.

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MEDIA LAW REFRESHER COURSE (1 DAY)

Seminar format

The media in this country is subject to a range of laws and codes of practice which are relevant to the day to day reporting of news and current affairs. Australian law does not expressly recognise a universal "freedom of speech" or the right to discuss and disseminate information covered by legal and ethical restrictions. Such laws attempt to balance free speech and the sometimes negative consequences of free speech on individuals and society.

This course provides an overview of the restrictions that are placed on publishing, how they work in practice and how to avoid traps. This course is designed for journalists who have completed the 4 day Media Law Course or have a considerable journalistic experience.

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MEDIA LAW TRAINING COURSE (2 DAY)

Includes manuals and assignments

Covers DEFAMATION and CONTEMPT
A training session for staff and management to recognise the traps of defamation law and the law of contempt as it applies to the media and the concept of "open justice". The session introduces participants to effective risk management strategies and:

  • enables staff to spot problematic material and deal with it
  • shows staff how to identify when you need further legal advice
  • provides tools for effective handling of complaints about legal matters
  • includes reporting restrictions (sub judice contempt, suppression orders, protected persons, etc) as well as the restrictions on the conduct of journalists (breaching court orders, contempt in the face of the court, revealing of sources etc)

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PRIVACY (1 DAY)

Seminar format

New Privacy Laws - Is your organisation ready to comply with privacy laws? These training sessions, designed for non-lawyers, cover issues such as:

  • privacy in the workplace - how to draft communications and privacy policies
  • workplace surveillance - is the monitoring of email/internet use legal?
  • access to information - what are your responsibilities to provide information?

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COPYRIGHT AND THE INTERNET (1 DAY)

Seminar format

  • copyright and digital content covering areas including libraries, archives and cultural Institutions
  • information on statues; copyright, designs, circuit layouts, patents, trade marks and common law associated with copyright and online content
  • information on property, contracts, trade practices act and web ecology
  • issues and changes in the fast changing communications, media and environment
  • protection and formal requirements

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LEGAL ISSUES IN E-COMMERCE

Seminar format

E-commerce raises new legal challenges and presents old problems in new forms. These training sessions, designed for non-lawyers, cover issues such as:

  • online contracts - including purchasing and ordering online
  • online publishing - copyright and defamation
  • management of information - compliance with new privacy laws
  • website issues - hosting agreements and content
  • databases - use of member information

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