Skip to main content
Unit of study_

LAWS5151: Media Law: Contempt and Open Justice

2023 unit information

The daily practice of journalism is affected by a range of common law principles and statutory provisions This unit of study seeks to examine some of the most significant practical constraints on the media It examines in detail contempt of court the principle of open justice and suppression orders It considers contempt of parliament and other restrictions of the reporting of parliamentary proceedings It also analyses the law relating to the disclosure of journalists sources and the impact of freedom of information laws on the media This unit of study seeks to provide not only a thorough doctrinal analysis of these areas of law but also seeks to locate them within their broader historical international comparative political and policy contexts

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Law

Code LAWS5151
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
LAWS3451
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an understanding of how the law, through legislation and case law, regulates the media in your collection and publication of material
  • LO2. demonstrate an understanding of the concept of “free speech” in this context, how the law protects it and balances it with competing public interests
  • LO3. further develop your skills in critical analysis and application of the law, and your abilities to carry out independent research, engage in oral and written argument and discussion and write clearly.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

There are no availabilities for this year.
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.

Important enrolment information

Departmental permission requirements

If you see the ‘Departmental Permission’ tag below a session, it means you need faculty or school approval to enrol. This may be because it’s an advanced unit, clinical placement, offshore unit, internship or there are limited places available.

You will be prompted to apply for departmental permission when you select this unit in Sydney Student.

Read our information on departmental permission.