AIMS & OUTCOMES

This course primarily focuses on knowledge (breadth and kind), know-how and skill (range and selectivity) and competence (context) sub-strands. On completion of the Diploma, participants should be better able to:

Knowledge – Breadth

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the core legal principles applicable to media and social media law, including the obligations and rights of the different actors within that environment.

Knowledge – Breadth /

Knowledge – Kind

Critically analyse the principles of European Union Law, the Law of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Constitution, Irish primary and secondary legislation and case law as they apply to current and emerging media and social media issues.

Knowledge – breadth / Knowledge – kind / Know-how and skill - selectivity

Examine a range of legal issues, both on a domestic and European level, as appropriate, in order to solve a range of problems related to media and social media law.

Know-how and skill range / Competence – context

Demonstrate the ability to conduct effective and ethical legal research in the area of media and social media law.

Who is the course for?

This programme is suitable for people with a legal and non-legal background, 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

This is a professional development course, and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The skills and competence gained in studying at King’s Inns are transferable, portable and recognised internationally. It is a valuable qualification delivered by distinguished lawyers, members of the judiciary, legal and other practitioners specialising in legal education.

The assessment methodology for this course is an in-person open book 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.

COURSE DELIVERY

Mode of Delivery:

Primarily online (via Zoom) synchronous delivery, with the option to attend a small number of in-person face-to-face delivery sessions.

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 online 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. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast online live only.

Volume of Learning:

• Direct contact hours: 28 hours

• Self-directed learning: 56 hours

• Assessment work: 47 hours

Total number of hours = 131 hours

The course takes place over eighteen weeks, from October to April, with lectures on Tuesdays mornings (8.30am to 10.00am):

Provisional start date: Tuesday, 3 November 2026

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