Overview
This course discusses the principles of media law as they apply to the work of media and communications professionals in a variety of fields. Understanding the current and evolving state of media law is a challenging task, but, we hope you will come to agree, worthwhile for anyone interested in such ideals as freedom of expression and the press.
Outline
Part I: Fundamental Principles of Canadian Law
- Unit 1: Basic Principles of Law
- Unit 2: The Shape of Government and the Law in Canada
Part II: Freedom of Expression and Related Issues
- Unit 3: Freedom of Expression and the Charter
- Unit 4: Issues in Free Speech and the Law
Part III: Legal Issues Researching the Story
- Unit 5: Access to Government-Held Information
- Unit 6: Privacy Law
Part IV: Legal Issues Before the Court
- Unit 7: Confidentiality
- Unit 8: Public Access to Information about Judicial Processes
- Unit 9: Contempt of Court
Part V: Legal Issues Writing the Story
- Unit 10: Copyright Law
- Unit 11: Defamation
Objectives
This course assumes no prior knowledge of the law. However, students who are already working as media or communication professionals may very well have previously sought legal advice during the preparation or production of a story, because media law affects, in many different ways, how news and other information can be obtained and presented.
The goal of this course is to assist you in identifying when legal issues may arise so that you can avoid legal disputes if you choose to do so. Alternatively, you may want a legal issue to become a dispute so that you can go to court to make a point or establish a principle—one of the common themes throughout this course is the interplay of the rights of, and restrictions on, journalists in the context of the need for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. In either case, the early identification of issues will enable you, your employer, or both, to seek legal advice without delay and decide on the best course of action.
Evaluation
To receive credit for CMNS 311, you must complete the assignments, receive at least 50 percent on the final examination, and achieve a minimum composite course grade of at least D (50 percent). The chart below summarizes the course activities and the credit weight associated with each one.
| Activity | Weight | Complete by |
| Assignment 1 | 15% | after Unit 4 |
| Assignment 2 | 15% | after Unit 6 |
| Assignment 3 | 15% | after Unit 9 |
| Assignment 4 | 20% | after Unit 11 |
| Final Examination | 35% | |
| Total | 100% | |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Note: The final examination for this course must be taken online at an invigilated location. It is your responsibility to ensure a computer with an Internet connection and Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher is available for your use at the invigilation centre.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Michael G. Crawford. The Journalist’s Legal Guide, 6th ed. Toronto, ON: Carswell, 2015.
Other materials
Students will access all other course materials online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the CMNS 311 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form