Communication Law and Deontology
Code
711011067
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Ciências da Comunicação
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Alberto Arons de Carvalho
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
This unit tries to establish a global framework for the regulatory bodies of media in Portugal.
The student is required to:
a. Analyse this framework, from the Portuguese Constitution to the regulatory norms of the media;
b. Study the historical background of the legal framework;
c. Analyse its background, objectives and conceptual foundation;
d. Analyse the ethical requirements
e. Study international benchmarking;
f. Analyse examples of legal and ethical requirements being applied in real situations;
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
Historical evolution of Media Law in Portugal
The sources of Media Law
Freedom of expression and information
Freedom of the media - journalists rights, freedom of the market, assurances of independence and pluralism in the media
Limits to media freedom - infractions by the media, the right to reply and correction, limits to programming freedom
Regulatory bodies for the media
Convergence; digital platforms and the internet, the perspectives on law and ethics.
Bibliography
Carvalho, Alberto Arons de, Cardoso, António Monteiro e Figueiredo, João Pedro (2005), Direito da Comunicação Social, 2.ª ed., Ed Casa das Letras, Lisboa.
idem (2005), Legislação Anotada da Comunicação Social, Ed. Casa das Letras, Lisboa.
Correia, Luís Brito (2000), Direito da Comunicação Social, Ed Almedina, Coimbra.
Machado, Jónatas (2002), Liberdade de expressão, Coimbra Editora, Coimbra.
Debbasch, Charles, Isar, Hervé e Agostinelli, Xavier (2002), Droit de la Communication, Dalloz, Paris.
Teaching method
Each instance in Media Law will be viewed through its historical evolution, stressing its conceptual foundations and analysing and interpreting current law, including a perspective on compared law and, whenever necessary, an ethical view. Active participation of the students will be required. Theoretical classes: 60%; Practical: 40%.
Evaluation method
The written exam (60%) will determine knowledge on theory and the ability of students to analyze problems through three general issues; exercise on practical problem-solving (40%) will try to ascertain the students ability to interpret law. Involvement in the classes will be taken into account.