Module manager: Prof Paul Wragg
Email: P.W.Wragg@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Module will replace LAW3197 Media Freedom.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
A module that provides students with an understanding of some of the key laws that regulate the media. The module will cover laws regulating both traditional media (in particular the press) and new digital media (e.g. social networking sites). Students will consider the extent to which these media laws uphold fundamental human rights, in particular the Art 10 free expression right and the Art 8 privacy right. The module will be taught via a combination of in-person lectures and seminars, with guided online tasks as well as independent student study. It will be assessed by coursework.
To enable students to engage with key topical issues in media law and privacy law.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. understand, analyse and apply the relevant legal and extra-legal rules governing issues relating to the traditional media and new digital media
2. critically evaluate those rules within the context of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), in particular Article 8 (the right to privacy) and Article 10 (the right to free expression)
3. demonstrate enhanced research skills in the location and analysis of relevant case and statutory materials, extra-legal rules and wider academic literature
Legal writing (a more specific communication skill)
An understanding of relevant legal and/or theoretical reasoning
This module’s central theme is the interaction between key human rights - specifically the Art 10 ECHR right to free speech and the Art 8 right to privacy – and various laws that regulate traditional and new media. With reference to case law and legal theory, the course enquires into the extent to which these key human rights can be upheld by a range of media laws, including misuse of private information. The module will follow current events and emerging issues in media law, considering, where relevant, high profile cases or events as well as government proposals to regulate the media.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Tutorial | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 165.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 34.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The online learning element is broken down into 15 minute tasks, there will be 20 x 15 minute tasks overall.
A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 3000 words | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team