In this course we will explore, critique and apply various aspects of the law that affect the media, and news gathering and reportage practices. We will analyse the normative underpinnings of press freedom, before examining the ways in which the law protects media and journalists as such, and the ways in which media and journalists, as such, are regulated by law. We will analyse, evaluate and apply laws that can restrict media and journalists, including state surveillance powers, defamation law, privacy protection, and contempt of court.
Throughout this course, we will interrogate the law’s adequacy in either protecting or restricting media practices, taking into account relevant aspects of the political, social and information-technology contexts. We will in this regard evaluate the normative, constitutional importance of the media and the press, and critically relate this historical-theoretical dimension to current issues affecting media dissemination and consumption, including law reform, national security concerns, and online communications.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Evaluate the theoretical underpinnings of press freedom, and contrast them with the various normative reasons for restricting media activities, including (but not limited to) national security, the administration of justice, individual reputation, privacy.
- Critically analyse and evaluate the ways in which Australian law currently protects press freedom in a variety of settings.
- Critically analyse and evaluate the ways in which Australian law currently protects interests that compete with press freedom, including (but not limited to) national security, administration of justice, individual reputation, and privacy.
- Evaluate legal issues and identify liability in legislation, regulation, or common law, synthesising the law’s requirements and the particular issue, to formulate appropriate legal conclusions.
- Undertake a comprehensively independent research project which critically analyses how the law reflects the importance of press freedom, the legitimate limitations on that freedom, and the implications that contemporary issues have for the law’s capacity to provide for appropriate degrees of freedom, censorship, and regulation.
Indicative Assessment
- The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with the option of undertaking at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the semester. More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available in the Class Summary and on the course WATTLE page by the first week of semester. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught semi-intensively with compulsory contact hours of approximately 26 hours of face to face teaching. The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
Preliminary Reading
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
Assumed Knowledge
N/A
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5280 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8775 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |