Advanced Diploma in Social Media and Media Law
Course available through blended / online distance learning.
Since Covid–19 restrictions came into force on March 12, this course was delivered 100% online through our accessible Virtual Learning Environment. Read about the recent changes here.
King’s Inns will continue to offer this course online for 2020/2021 until it is safe to deliver in person as well on campus. Attending classes in person will be optional.
We know social interaction with fellow students, lecturers and visiting speakers is an integral part of the King’s Inns experience and once a safe opportunity presents, we will invite students back on campus.
INTRODUCTION
The area of social media and media law is very much an evolving environment particularly due to advances in communications technology. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to and overview of social media and media law to include Irish law, EU Law and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.
Students learn about the main areas of media law to include the law of defamation, contempt of court, privacy, freedom of expression broadcasting/press regulation and the regulation of new forms of media.
PROGRAMME AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
The aims and objectives of this course are to provide an overview of media law in Ireland in addition to addressing emerging issues in this area.
On completion of the Diploma, students should be able to:
- Explain the main elements of social media and media law
- Critically assess how the law regulates the media environment
- Understand the obligations and rights of social media and media practitioners
- Evaluate emerging developments in media law and in particular, social media law
- Critically analyse and apply constitutional provisions, statutory provisions and the principles in case law
- Conduct research into areas of media law
- Engage in critical thinking and legal analysis
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
This course is suitable for professionals working in social media, digital marketing, communications and public relations, writers, journalists, bloggers, in–house counsel, those working in the newspaper and broadcasting industries, data protection lawyers and barristers/solicitors working in the public and private sector together with anyone in the entertainment or media industries.
LEAD LECTURER / COURSE DIRECTOR
The coordinator of the course is Dr Sarah Fennell BL.
COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY
The course is delivered part–time one morning a week through the medium of lectures presented by experts in the area. The course takes place over a period of 16 weeks on Tuesday mornings between 8.30am–10.00am.
Course Start Date: Tuesday 20 October 2020 (provisional)
Application Deadline: Wednesday 30 September 2020
This course is available via blended online learning, with classes recorded using e–learning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment. This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class in person, all sessions except the last lecture (view from the Bench) is recorded so that students who are based outside Dublin or who are otherwise unable to attend can view the material by streaming their class at any time.
All class notes are available online before lectures take place. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our Library and legal resource databases.
Complimentary parking and refreshments are provided for participants attending in person.
Please note that the schedule below is provisional.
Week No.
Date
Topic
Speaker
1.
20.10.20
Introduction to social media and media Law
Dr. Sarah Fennell BL (course co–ordinator)
2.
Freedom of Expression under the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
John O’Dowd, UCD
3.
Defamation (Part I)
Simon McAleese, Simon McAleese Solicitors
4.
Defamation (Part II)
Declan Doyle SC
5.
Defamation (Part III)
Joe O’Malley, Partner, Hayes Solicitors
6.
Privacy, Online Publications and Remedies Available
Eoin McCullough SC
7.
Contempt of Court
Shane Murphy SC
8.
The Media and the Courts
Dearbhail McDonald, Freelance Journalist, Author and Broadcaster
9.
Censorship
Professor Neville Cox, TCD
10.
Public Order and Morality
Hugh I Mohan SC
11.
Online Publication
Karyn Harty, Partner, McCann Fitzgerald
12.
Social Media and the Law
Mark O’Shaughnessy, Partner, ByrneWallace
13.
Data Protection and the Media
Dr Eoin O’Dell, Associate Professor, Trinity College Dublin
14.
Regulation of the Press
Peter Feeney, Press Ombudsman
15.
Broadcast Regulation
Paula Mullooly, Director of Legal Affairs, RTE
16.
A view from the bench (not recorded–attendance in person recommended)
TBC
ASSESSMENT
To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant will be required to successfully complete one written take home (100%) assignment.
COURSE FEE
Total cost of course: €2,350.
Fee structure can be viewed here.
BL graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course. Click here for more information.
HOW DO I APPLY?
We are now taking applications for this course.
There is no admission requirements for this course. Your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full.
Payment can be made through the application portal using your credit / debit card.
If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a PO number, the name and email address for the person responsible for payment in your organisation. The invoice will issue directly to the person whose details you enter. You will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the application portal.
Receive notification when more information is available
WHAT DO PREVIOUS STUDENTS SAY?
This course was first run in autumn 2019 with the first lot of students still enrolled at King’s Inns.