Media Law

Jacob Rowbottom is Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford and a Fellow of University College, Oxford.

1. Media Freedom
I. Introduction
II. Historical Background
III. The Protection of Media Freedom in UK Law
IV. Why Media Freedom is Different from Freedom of Expression
V. The Functions of the Media
VI. How is Media Freedom Protected?
VII. What is the Media?
VIII. Interferences with Media Freedom
IX. Conclusion
2. Personal Rights: Reputation and Privacy
I. Introduction
II. Defamation Law
III. Privacy
IV. The Public Interest
V. The Legal Protection of Personal Rights: Miscellaneous Provisions
VI. Remedies
VII. Conclusion
3. The Media and the System of Justice
I. Introduction
II. Contempt of Court
III. Open Justice
IV. Conclusion
4. Censorship, Obscenity and Secrecy
I. Introduction
II. Obscene, Indecent and Pornographic Content
III. Government Secrecy and National Security
IV. Terrorism
V. Conclusion
5. Newsgathering
I. Introduction
II. Protecting Journalists’ Sources
III. Journalists’ Material
IV. Surveillance of Newsgathering Processes
V. Freedom of Information
VI. A Public Interest Defence
VII. Conclusion
6. Media Regulation
I. Introduction
II. Regulating Content and Conduct
III. Media Ownership and Concentration
IV. Conclusion
7. The Digital Media
I. Introduction
II. Liability for Publications
III. User-generated Content
IV. Digital Intermediaries
V. Conclusion
8. Conclusion
I. The Changing Role of Public Opinion
II. Media Law, Information Flows and Informal Controls
III. The Methodology of Balancing in Media Law
IV. Media Effects
V. Media Power