MEDIA LAW: Issues & Problems SPCL 7014 Prof. John (Jack) Greiner

Mass Communication Law in a Nutshell satisfies the need for a basic text in communication law, not only for law students but for journalism and communication students as well. Highlights of the Sixth Edition of the popular book include a discussion of the USA Patriot Act, the Critical Infrastructure Information Act exemption to the Freedom of Information Act, government initiatives such as warrantless eavesdropping on telephone calls following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and recent FCC regulations authorizing a low-power radio service, digital television (DTV), high-definition television (HDTV) and digital must-carry regulations. Further highlights include Congress' passage of the Broadcast Indecency Enforcement Act following Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," litigation involving filtering software and the Child Online Protection Act (COPA), Congress' attempts to control "spam" on the Internet, and the extent to which the Digital Millenium Copyright Act can deter peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing of popular songs or Hollywood films.

This powerful new treatise provides an encyclopedic analysis of law & policy relating to virtually all modern means of individual & mass communications law. Its primary focus is the history, theory & operation of the First Amendment as it protects free expression over the various media of communication from regulatory encroachment by government. Examples of key discussion areas include suppression or control of obscene, indecent & violent expression, computer communications law, regulation of cable television & broadcasting, & the Telecommunications Act of 1996.