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2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
LAW3195 Privacy, Free Speech and the Media
10 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Paul Wragg
Email: p.m.wragg@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2012/13
Pre-requisite qualifications
LAW1010 Constitutional Law I orLAW2025 Human Rights I
This module is mutually exclusive with
| LAW3280 | Media Law |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:- understand, analyse and apply the relevant legal and extra-legal rules governing issues relating to free speech and privacy as they affect the media.
- critically evaluate those rules within the context of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.
- engage in informed discussion about the relationship between the relevant legal rules, their application and their theoretical perspectives.
- develop their research skills through the location and analysis of relevant case and statutory materials, and extra-legal rules.
- demonstrate effective oral communication skills through active participation in seminar discussion.
Syllabus
This module takes as its central theme the right to free speech and the right to privacy. Both are regarded as fundamental rights yet can conflict or be subject to substantial restrictions. These issues are often highlighted through the actions of the media.
- Should the media be free to report the private lives of politicians and so-called celebrities?
- Or ought the privacy rights of these and other groups to prevail over tabloid prurience?
- To what extent may the courts impinge upon the right of the media to openly report court proceedings where privacy rights are at stake?
- In what circumstances can litigants obtain injunctions or, alternatively, 'super-injunctions' to protect their privacy?
- Are damages an adequate remedy for invasions of privacy?
The module will consider these issues within the theoretical foundations for free speech and privacy, with particular reference to the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Seminar | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 88.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 12.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
17 hours - preparation per seminar3 hours - following up the 'updates' sheet provided in the final seminar.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- The seminars will involve some lecture time followed by detailed analysis of questions.- Each seminar will involve detailed discussion of a 'problem' based question.
- Preparation for and discussion of such questions will provide ongoing monitoring of progress.
Methods of assessment
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 100.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 13/06/2013
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