AIMS & OUTCOMES

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of media law in Ireland in addition to addressing emerging issues in this area.

On completion of the Diploma, participants should be able to:

1. Explain the main elements of media and social media law;

2. Critically assess how the law regulates the media environment;

3. Understand the obligations and rights of media and social media practitioners;

4. Evaluate emerging developments in media law and in particular, social media law;

5. Critically analyse and apply constitutional provisions, statutory provisions and the principles in case law;

6. Conduct research into areas of media law;

7. 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. People working as writers, journalists, bloggers, in–house counsel, those working in the newspaper and broadcasting industries, data protection lawyers and lawyers working in the public and private sector together with anyone in the entertainment or media industries.

Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions.

COURSE DESIGNER AND LEAD LECTURER

The designer and lead lecturer of the course is barrister Áine Smyth BL. 

Áine specialised with a BA (Economics & Political Science) (TCD), LL.M (International Human Rights) (NUIG), Dip. Law (King’s Inns), B.L. (King’s Inns).

COURSE CONTENT

• Course overview and introduction (live session, not recorded)

• Introduction to media and social media law

• Freedom of expression under the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) 

• Defamation – Part I, II + III

• Privacy, online publications and remedies available

• Contempt of court

• The media and the courts

• Censorship

• Public order and morality

• Online publication

• Social media and the law

• Data protection and the media 

• Regulation of the press

• Broadcast regulation

• A view from the Bench – judicial speaker (live session, not recorded)

Please note the course content is subject to change in accordance with new developments in this area. 

Previous Speakers

• Dearbhail McDonald, Freelance Journalist, Author and Broadcaster

• Paula Mullooly, Director of Legal Affairs, RTE

• Peter Feeney, Former Press Ombudsman

• Síne Creamer BL, Senior Legal Counsel and Lead Counsel EMEA at Twitter Safety, Content and

Law Enforcement

• Declan Doyle SC 

• Eoin McCullough SC

• Dr Eoin O’Dell, Associate Professor, Trinity College Dublin

• Hugh I Mohan SC 

• Joe O’Malley, Partner, Hayes Solicitors

• John O’Dowd, UCD

• Karyn Harty, Partner, McCann Fitzgerald

• Mark O’Shaughnessy, Partner, ByrneWallace

• Professor Neville Cox, TCD

• Shane Murphy SC

• Simon McAleese, Simon McAleese Solicitors

ASSESSMENT & ACCREDITATION

To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant is required to successfully complete one assessment.

For the Advanced Diploma in Media and Social Media Law, the assessment will take the form of one two hour, in–person, open book, invigilated, typed examination. This assessment will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the course material. You will take the assessment at King’s Inns, on your own laptop. (Arrangements will be made for any candidate who is unable to type.)

You will be able to consult any soft copy materials that you have saved to your laptop or to consult any hard copy materials that you have chosen to print and bring with you, including textbooks. You will not, however, have internet access while taking the assessment.

The date of the assessment is: TBC March 2026 from 6.00pm–8.00pm (Date TBC)

King’s Inns understands that participants on this course are busy professionals with many demands on their time. With that in mind, most classes on the course take place in a fully online (live Zoom) format and you will attend remotely.  There will be at least one opportunity to attend a class in person at King’s Inns, but even on that date the option to attend online will remain in place for those who can’t make it in person.

COURSE DELIVERY

This course takes place in an online format only, live via Zoom, with recordings of lectures available after class is over. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only.

The course takes place over approx. 16 weeks from October to April, with lectures on Tuesdays from 8.30 am to 10 am.

Classes are recorded using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class live via Zoom, most of the sessions will be recorded so that students who are unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time.

All class notes are available to read through our Virtual Learning Environment. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our library and legal resource databases.

King’s Inns is built on networking and engagement. Over the year, we invite students to attend and participate in various social events, fireside chats and talks. Events take place either online or in–person. All of this contributes to the learning experience that is King’s Inns.

How to Apply

In order to verify your personal details, you must first create an account on the Application Portal through the ‘register and apply here’ button below. Once you verify your email address in the Portal, you can then proceed with your application. 

• The application process is very short and your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.

• Payment can be made through the Application Portal using your credit or debit card (please make sure your bank allows you to process the full payment in one go), or 

• If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a valid PO number in advance of making the application, 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. The participant will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the Application Portal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their employer has paid in full within the timeframe required in order to secure a place. King’s Inns cannot contact your employer for payment, we can only liaise with the applicant.

• An automated payment receipt will be generated confirming your place on the course.

• Subscribing members: You must apply your discount code upon application. It cannot be applied after the application is made. 

• You should view the fee structure, payment terms, and other charges here

Barrister–at–Law graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course.

You must receive your discount code before applying. View more information here