Tamil Nadu National Law University: B.A. LL.B. (H) Semester IX Course Syllabus Media Law

TAMIL NADU NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY
(A University established under the Tamil Nadu Act No. 9 of 2012)

Dindigul Main Road, Navalur Kuttapattu
Tiruchirappalli 620 027
Tamil Nadu, India
B.A. LL.B. (H)

Semester IX
COURSE SYLLABUS
MEDIA LAW
Course Objectives
 Introduce students to various ethical and policy issues relating to mass media.
 Making the students understand the interface between media law and various other
laws
Learning Outcomes
● Analyze the role of press and broadcasting in a democratic system of governance.

● Critically analyze policies of government regulating various forms of media.
● Examine laws of the press, broadcasting and digital media in the context of freedom
of speech rights.
Teaching Methods
● Case study method

● Lecture method
● Classroom exercises
● Audio-visual aids (Including interviews with experts)
Historical and Conceptual Analysis of Media Laws MODULE 1
 Press as the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy

 Freedom of press in pre-independence period, role of press in freedom struggle
 Philosophical justification for protection of free speech
 Freedom of press and Constitution of India
 Article 19 and freedom of press
 Freedom of press vis-à-vis parliamentary privileges
 Effect of emergency on press freedom
 Freedom of press in other jurisdictions
 Judicial approach towards free press
Statutory and Regulatory Framework Governing India MODULE 2
 Regulation of Media: Self-regulation v. regulation by govt.
 Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867
 Cable Television Acts and Rules
 Role of Press Council of India
 Representation of People Act, 1951
 Official Secrets Act, 1923
 Right to Information Act, 2005
 Information Technology Act, 2000 and regulation of social media
Understanding Dynamics of Print Media & Law MODULE 3
 Freedom of press v. right to privacy

 Concept of Paid news and Yellow journalism
 Trial by media
 Interface between print media law and criminal law
 Print media and sedition
 Print media and defamation
 Print media and obscenity
 Publications and contempt of Courts
Understanding Dynamics of Broadcasting Sector and Law MODULE 4
 Cable T.V. Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995

 Indian Telegraph Act and Broadcast interface
 Ownership of media and anti-trust issues
 Role of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
 PrasharBharti Act, 1990
 Broadcasting Bill and role of Broadcasting Authority of India
 Radio waves/Airwaves and Government control
Licensing issues in Broadcast Sector
 Open Skies policy
 Community Radio Advocacy
Understanding Dynamics of Film & Visual Media MODULE 5
 Cinematography Act, 1952

 Obscenity on visual media and its regulation
 Censorship of films and standards of censorship
 Role and functions of CBFC
 Ethical issues in advertising and role of Advertising Standards Council
Essential Readings
Books:
1. D.D. Basu, Law of the Press (5th ed., Lexis Nexis Publications 2010)
2. Gautam Bhatia, Offend, Shock or Disturb: Free Speech under Indian Constitution
(Oxford University Press 2016)
3. Ram Jethmalani, Cases and material on Media Law (1sted., Thomson Reuters 2012)
4. Suzanne Rab, Media, Ownership and Control (Oxford: Hart Publishers 2014)
5. V.R. Krishna Iyer, Essays on Press Freedom (Capital Foundation Society 1996)
List of Cases (Tentative):
1. Indraprastha People v. Union of India2015(1)RCR(Civil)24

2. R.K. Anand v. Registrar (2009) 8 SCC 106
3. Sahara India Real Estate Corporation v. Securities and Exchange Board of India
(2012) 10 SCC 603.
4. Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting v. Cricket Association of Bengal
AIR 1995 SC 1236.
5. SiddharthVasisth @Manu Sharma v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2010) 6 SCC 1
6. Sushil Sharma v. State (Delhi Administration) (1996) 6 SCC 354
Articles (Tentative):
1. AsishSen, ‘Waiting to be Heard’ (2003) 38:22Economic and Political Weekly2198.

2. Angela Campbell, ‘Self-Regulation and the Media’ (1999) 51:3Federal
Communications Law Journal 711.
3. P. Radhakrishnan, ‘Ayodhya Issue and Freedom of Expression’ (2002) 37:40
Economic and Political Weekly4099.
4. Philipp Sperner, ‘Harmful Speech and Politics of Hurt Sentiments’ (2016) 51:44-
45Economic and Political Weekly109.
Other Sources:
1. 200th Report of Law Commission of India on ‘Trial by Media’ (August, 2006)
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Tamil Nadu National Law University: B.A. LL.B. (H) Semester IX Course Syllabus Media Law

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TAMIL NADU NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

(A University established under the Tamil Nadu Act No. 9 of 2012)

B.A. LL.B. (H)

● Analyze the role of press and broadcasting in a democratic system of governance.

● Case study method

Historical and Conceptual Analysis of Media Laws MODULE 1

 Press as the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy

Understanding Dynamics of Print Media & Law MODULE 3

 Freedom of press v. right to privacy

Understanding Dynamics of Broadcasting Sector and Law MODULE 4

 Cable T.V. Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995

Understanding Dynamics of Film & Visual Media MODULE 5

 Cinematography Act, 1952

List of Cases (Tentative):

1. Indraprastha People v. Union of India2015(1)RCR(Civil)24

1. AsishSen, ‘Waiting to be Heard’ (2003) 38:22Economic and Political Weekly2198.

1. 200th Report of Law Commission of India on ‘Trial by Media’ (August, 2006)

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