Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
monarch
Egypt
Maxims of Ptahhotep (2300 BCE,
Egypt)
Sumerian tablet, c. 2400 BCE
Image: http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/wisdom.htm
Parrhesia: freedom to speak publicly. Blasphemy: sacreligious (disrispectful) comments. Libel: defamation of character. Roman politicians, could talk freely and question things.
01/09/2010
Image: http://users.ox.ac.uk/~exet1371/Spanish_Research/Inquisition_in_Europe.html
magna carta: the idea that the kings power is not absolute. Sedition is talking trash about the king. Treason act, was created in case that someone could kill the king, and decide what to do with the murder. (death row). Bloody statue: basically everyone who could be oposed to the church of the king, could be burned at stake. English bill of right would allow only the parliament to speak freely.
UK
book list
licensing
Stationers Company
Areopagitica
Image: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~toxmetal/TXSHpb.shtml
01/09/2010
Seditious: yer causing friction between the government and the people. Obscene: Private libel: when ye attack the reputation of a person. Blasphemy:
Taxation
The regulation of freedom of speech in the colonies was harsher. Dale's code: talking agains cristians was death penalty. Body of liberty: Act of liberation: when ye were cristian, ye couldn't be burned at stake.
01/09/2010
speech?
Image: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/declara/images/dunlap.jpg
of Rights
Became political issue Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the g government for a redress of g grievances.
01/09/2010
scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame . . . or to bring them . . . into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them . . . the hatred of the good people of the United States, or to stir up sedition within the United States . . . then such person . . . shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.
01/09/2010
Discussion
The First Amendment was rewritten to limit Congress
power to restrict speech. Is this fair? How would you improve the wording of the First Amendment? Is the First Amendment necessary, in your opinion?
13/09/2010
Why a class on law and ethics? What can understanding the law provide you?
What are ethics? Why are they important in communication? Values and norms
13/09/2010
News
Public Relations
Advertising
Code of Ethics
Whos involved
Parties
Whats involved
Ethical principles Stakes Possible consequences
Golden Rule Golden Mean Kants Categorical Imperative Mill s Utilitarianism Mills Potters Box
13/09/2010
Professional Loyalties, values and principles Organizational philosophies, values and principles Moral values, principles and obligations
Duty to ourselves Duty to our clients/audience Duty to our organization Duty to our colleagues Duty to society
13/09/2010
Wikileaks What leads to different outcomes? Do you agree or disagree with organizational decisions?
Crises in PR
30/08/2010
U.S.LEGALSYSTEM
TheU.S.LegalSystem
Areyougoingtobeanattorney?
No? Thenwhyshouldyoucare?
Natureofcommunicationindustries
TheU.S.LegalSystem
Sourcesoflaw
Constitutions
U.S.Constitution Stateconstitutions
Statutes
U.S.C.
Administrative
regulations&decisions
C.F.R.
constitution is the law of the land. it can only be amended by the special request by the people. State also have constitutions, and can be different laws, but they cannot be contradicting the federal constitution. Statues are the laws passed by the congress. Administrative agencies can pass regulations that can also be considered laws.
30/08/2010
Sourcesoflaw&Courtsystems
Sourcesoflaw
Caselaw
Precedent Samejurisdiction Hierarchyofcourts
CourtSystems
Jurisdiction
Personal Subjectmatter
Case law. Jurisdiction is the authority and guvernmental law. Personal is when one state laws is applicable only in that state. Subject matter, when the federal government and the state government strive to use their laws.
CourtSystem
Categorizationsoflaw
Typesoflitigation
Criminal Beyondareasonabledoubt Ci il Civil
Preponderanceoftheevidence Tort
Negligence
Contracts
Criminal: the state against a person or corporations. Public law. Jail can be an option. you need to prove yer innocence beyond a reasonable doubt. Civil: Private law. Usually people look for money. Jail not an option. Tort: Anything else than a contract. Mostly defamation and negligence. You have to show that the other party acted with negligence. Contracts: Enforcing contracts. Are legally binding promises.
30/08/2010
SpecialTopics
JurisdictionandtheInternet
Physicallypresent Minimumcontacts P Purposefullydirected f ll di t d
In terms of internet, the court cannot claim they jurisdiction over you. The only way is that if you have property within the state, purposefully directed contact with people of the state.
Verynuanced,growingarea
SpecialTopics
InternationalJurisdiction
Treaties Unions EU NAFTA
Whataboutinternationallawsuits?
Ownpropertyorresidethere Consistency
Judicialprocess
Civil
Complaint Answer Discovery
Pretrialmotions Settlement
Criminal
Arrest Criminalcomplaint Arraignment/Initial
appearance
Preliminaryhearing
Grandjuryindictment
30/08/2010
U.S.SupremeCourt
Discretionaryreview Writofcertiorari Majorityopinion
Concurringopinions Dissentingopinions
ChallengestoFreeSpeech
Standardprocess
Messagesent,orannouncementofmessage Righttosendmessagechallenged T i l h i h ld Trialorhearingheld Decisionmade Decisionappealed?
FreedomofExpression
Judicialapproachestofreespeech
Absolutionism Hierarchicalprotection
Evaluationofgovernmentregulationsof l f l f
speech
Tests Doctrines
30/08/2010
Issues
Lawsuits
Highlylitigiousnation
Implications
ImplicationsforU.S.media
business? b i ?
13/09/2010
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances grievances.
First Amendment
Congress Abridge
13/09/2010
In favor: Vital in the democratic process Promotes truth discovery Promotes individual agency and g y autonomy Curbs government power
Against: Individual rights versus community rights Speech rights dont equal true, real speech freedoms
Freedom of Expression
Freedom from government censorship? Freedom from compulsory speech or coercion? Freedom of access to channels of communication? Freedom from government domination of communication?
13/09/2010
Prior restraint
Licensing Coercion
Compulsory speech
Access Public funds Attribution
Taxes Fees?
Major restrictions
Public forums
Place designed or traditionally used for communication Parks, streets, sidewalks. All public property?
Military bases, airports, schools? Student newspapers? University press?
13/09/2010
C b b ll i Cyberbullying
Discussion
04/10/2010
Clear&PresentDanger,IncitementtoIllegalConduct,&NationalSecurity
Refinementofconceptbycourts LargelyignoredbycourtspriortoWWI
Rightnotextendedtoentirepopulation
Slaves Women Abolitionists
Abridgementsofspeechtolerated
States Privatecitizens Governmentownedplaceormeansofcommunication
WorldWarI
U.S.decidedtoenterthewar AntiwarsentimentscouldcauserisktoU.S.
militarycapabilitiesorpolicy
Legislationpassedprovidedthebasisfor
developmentofnewdoctrine
04/10/2010
Prohibitedawidevarietyofantigovernmentspeech Prohibitionsextendedto:
Anyonemakingfalsereportsorfalsestatementswithintentto
interferewiththeoperationorsuccessofthemilitary,orintendingto obstructsaleofU.S.bonds.
Anyonewho,whentheUnitedStatesisatwar,causesorattemptsto
Schenckv.UnitedStates (1919)
Schenckprinted15,000ofpamphletsintendedfor
distribution.
Pamphletsdeclaredthedraftwas
04/10/2010
SupremeCourtupheldconviction Newtestcreated:ClearandPresentDangerTest
JusticeOliverWendellHolmes:
Themoststringentprotectionoffreespeechwouldnotprotecta Themoststringentprotectionoffreespeechwouldnotprotecta maninfalselyshoutingfireinatheater,andcausingapanic.The questionineverycaseiswhetherthewordsusedareusedinsuch circumstancesandareofsuchanaturetocreateaclearandpresent dangerthattheywillbringaboutthesubstantiveevilsthat Congresshasarighttoprevent.
Characterofspeechdependsoncircumstances Isspeechacalltoaction?
Courtoverturnedconviction,andrefinedtestfor incitementtoillegalconduct
3partsofthetestmustbemet:
Thespeechmustbedirectedtoincitingillegal
action
Thespeechmustbecallingforimminentaction,
notjustconductatsomelatertime
Thespeechmustbelikelytoproducesuch
conduct
04/10/2010
Whatispriorrestraint?
Prohibitiononexpressionwhichisimposedbefore
themessageiscommunicated.
Whatarereasonsforuseofpriorrestraint? Wh f f i i ?
Whengovernmentofficialsfearthatreleaseof
certaininfowillharmnationalsecurity.
Ispriorrestraintthenorm?
NO,heavypresumptionagainstit.
Nearv.Minnesota (1931)
NearwasanewspapereditorinMN,goingto
publishscandalousmaterial.
ThegovernorofMNtriedtostophimfrom
publishing
SupremeCourtsaidthatpriorrestraintis
unconstitutional
Justicesnotedthatpriorrestraintscouldbe
acceptableincasesofnationalsecurity
04/10/2010
USv.WashingtonPost (1971) AlsoknownasPentagonPapers DanielEllsburgfoundpapersthatwerepotential embarrassmentsforU.S.government. embarrassmentsforU S government Nixonadministrationtriedtostopthepapers publicationonthegroundsthatitwouldharm nationalsecurity. Federaljudgegavetheminjunction SupremeCourtruledpriorrestraintis unconstitutional
USvProgressive (1979) Ajournalwasgoingtopublishanarticledetailing howtomakeahydrogenbomb Governmentsoughtinjunction,ongroundsitwould Governmentsoughtinjunction ongroundsitwould causeirreparableharmtonationalsecurity CasewenttoWIFederalDistrictCourt,andthe judgeruledforgovernment
Informationonconstructionofahydrogenbombfallswithin
extremelynarrowexceptiontoruleagainstpriorrestraint
Sneppv.U.S. (1980) SneppformerCIAagentwhowrotebook describingCIAactivitiesinVietnam. CIAsuedforviolationofSneppscontractual df l f l agreementagainstdisclosure. SupremeCourtdecidedthepublicationof thisbookandotherslikeitcausedirreparable harmtoeffictivenessofU.S.intelligence operations.
04/10/2010
Negligence
Legaldutytoshowreasonablecare Failuretodoso Resultedininjury
Doyouagreethatafterthefactpunishmentsshouldbe preferredtopriorrestraints? Shouldpriorrestraintsbesustainedagainstspeechthat threatensspecificindividuals,suchasastoryheadlined, WitnessesintheFederalWitnessRelocationProgram WitnessesintheFederalWitnessRelocationProgram WhereAreTheyNow? Theinternethasmadealotofinformationavailabletothe public.Woulditbeappropriateforthegovernmenttoseeka priorrestraintpreventingthefollowingfrombeingpostedto websites:
Instructionsonhowtocounterfeitmoneyorcommitcreditcardfraud Instructionsonhowtomakeillegaldrugs
04/10/2010
FreedomofExpression
Restrictions:Defamationofcharacter
DefamationofCharacter
Defamationisanothercategoryofrestrictedspeech
Usedtobepunishedascriminal Now,civilmatter
Somecriminalstatutesremain
Defamation
FAdoesnotprotectdefamatoryspeech Whatconstitutesdefamatoryspeech?
Compensatorydamages Maybeawardofpunitivedamages
04/10/2010
Defamation
Longhistoryofprohibitinglibelousexpression. Twoclassesofdefamation,thatnowareusedasone: LibelLanguageusedintortlawtorefertononspokenexpression thatinjuresthereputationofanother SlanderOraldefamation,speechthatinjuresthereputationof anotherperson. I it d f Isitadefamationcase? ti ? Defamatorystatement? True? Published? Identified? Notanhonestmistake? Causedharm?
DefamationTest
Sixelements:
whatwasexpressedisfalse thestatementwasactuallydefamatory;i.e.itput someoneinanegativelight someone in a negative light Thestatementwaspublished Theplaintiffwasidentified theplaintiffwasactuallydamagedorharmedby thestatement Notanhonestmistake.
Defamation
Whenissomethingactuallydefamatory?
Context Naturaleffect Implication
Whoprovesfalsity?Andhowfalse?
Faircommentprivilege
Whenissomethingpublished? Howissomeoneidentified?
04/10/2010
Damages
Compensatory
Punitive
CaseStudy
NewYorkTimesv.Sullivan (1964) SullivansuedtheNYTforlibel Someofchargesnottrue Statementsweredefamatory DistrictcourtawardedSullivandamages S SupremeCourtoverturnedthejudgement C d h j d Addedadditionaltestelement Actualmalicestatementsmadewithknowledgethattheyarefalse orwithrecklessdisregardforthetruth Tosaythatpeoplecanbepunishedformakingfalsestatements,even iftheywerentawareofit,wouldhavetoogreatofachillingeffecton freepoliticalexpression.
ActualMalice
Falsestatementsaboutpublicfigures deservedFirstAmendmentprotectioninform ofactualmalicerule Complicated to prove Complicatedtoprove
Example:acommunicatorknewastatementwas false,oractedwithrecklessdisregardforthe truth.
04/10/2010
PublicFigures
Whyarepublicfigurestreateddifferentlyintermsof defamationthanordinarycitizens?
CaseStudy
AssociatedPressv.Walker (1967) WalkersuedtheAPaftertheyreportedthatWalkerhad ledaviolentcrowdduringriotsattheUofMississippi afterafederalcourthadorderedtheenrollmentofan AfricanAmerican Walkerreceivedcompensatoryandpunitivedamages. SupremeCourtsaidthatalthoughhewasretired,Walker wasstillapublicfigure.
Fault
Gertzv.RobertWelch,Inc.(1974) Establishedactualmaliceruleonlyappliesto publicfiguresorpublicofficials public figures or public officials Negligence ReasonableCare
04/10/2010
PublicFigures
Whoisapublicfigure?
Allpurpose Limitedpurpose
Protectionsagainstlibelsuits
Publicrecordprivilege
Qualified Wireservices
Mediastrikeback
AntiSLAPP Maliciousprosecution
04/10/2010
Internetlibel
Libelsuitsagainst:
Authorsofcontent Distributors Common carriers/ISPs Commoncarriers/ISPs
Problemsofdefinitionofterms TelecommunicationsAct1996
Libelsuits
Casesalwaysinthenews
MSUformerfootballcoach JeffGreene Libeltourism
04/10/2010
Privacy
Privacy
Verycomplicated,growingareaoflegalstudy
Lawschangeassocietychanges
Privacy
In18th and19th centuries,littleattentionpaidto privacyinlaw y , g By1900s,timeshadchanged
Why?
Civillawrightofprivacy Criminallawstoprotectprivacy
04/10/2010
Privacy
Fourprivacytorts:
Commercialappropriation Publicdisclosure bli di l Falselight Intrusion
Appropriation
Usingsomeonesnameorlikenessforcommercial purposeswithouttheirpermission
Forcommercialpurposes
NewYorkercover?
Consent
Nestlcase
Nameorlikeness
Alsoknownasmisappropriationorinfringementof anindividualsrightofprivacy
Disclosure
Disclosure
Concernspublicityaboutembarrassingprivate mattersthatareofnolegitimateconcerntothe publicandwouldbehighlyoffensivetoa reasonableperson bl Highlyoffensive Trueinformation Newsworthy Privatefacts
CoxBroadcastingCorp.v.Cohn(1975)
04/10/2010
Falselightinvasions
Publicrepresentationofsomeoneinafalse andhighlyoffensiveway
Similarto,butnotsameas,defamation
Damages Individuals
Intrusion
Intentionalinvasionofapersonsphysicalspaceor privateaffairsinawaythatwouldbepatently offensivetoareasonableperson
P bli Publicversusprivateplaces i t l Offensive Newsworthiness
Dietemannv.Time,Inc.(1971)
CompanionTorts
Fraud Intentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress Trespass
04/10/2010
Defensestoprivacytorts
Appropriation:consent Disclosure:newsworthiness Falselight:truth/absenceofactualmalice Intrusion:noexpectationofprivacy
Privacyandcriminalstatutes
Somestateshavemadeitcriminaltoengage incertainmethodsofinformationgathering, ordisclosingcertaintypesofinformation or disclosing certain types of information
Criminalstatutes
Identitybetrayal
Releasingconfidentialinformation Statutes are usually unconstitutional to prevent Statutesareusuallyunconstitutionaltoprevent mediafromdisclosingtruthfulinformation,ifonly purposeistoprotectindividualprivacy
Wiretapping
Crimetointerceptorrecordprivateconversations electronically Florida
04/10/2010
Internetandprivacy
Email
Spyware KidsandtheInternet:LivingOnline
06/10/2010
Why is it important?
A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, p g g y perhaps p both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives. --James Madison, Fourth President of the United States
Access to Information
Not generally a First Amendment issue Media not guaranteed more access than the general public Public and media depend on legislation passed to provide access to government information and places
06/10/2010
Federal Legislation
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Applies to federal agencies Any person may request information Reno: greater disclosure Ashcroft: new standard for assessing requests Holder: rescinded Ashcroft memo; presumption toward disclosure Exemptions:
National security Agency personnel rules/practices Exemptions required by federal law Trade secrets Privileged gov. comm. Confidential personnel & medical files Confidential law enforcement records Records concerning regulation of financial institutions Oil well information
Federal Legislation
Federal Sunshine Act To give access to government g meetings
Definition of a meeting
Exemptions similar to those of the FOIA If exempted from the Sunshine p Act, a meeting may be closed
Transcripts Obtaining copies of closed session transcripts
Agencies must provide advance notice of a meeting, and conduct the meeting openly
06/10/2010
State Legislation
State Sunshine Laws Apply to agencies funded by tax dollars y Vary state to state Definitions Exemptions FL Sunshine Act One of the best in terms of promoting openness Constitutional right of access g to meetings in legislative branch
When having a meeting, a state agency must: Provide advance public notice Conduct meetings openly Generally applies to agencies, councils, commissions and boards at local and state levels Executive sessions Florida
Sunshine Act of 1976 Advance public notice C d Conduct meetings openly i l Only applies to executive branch and to certain agencies Examples of exceptions: National defense Internal personnel practices Trade secrets Personal information/invasion of privacy
Consent
Express Implied
Custom and usage Does not extend to all activities
06/10/2010
Government property
Difference with private property
Selective Access
If no statute governing disclosure for a particular office of government or type of information, then government has discretion to restrict access But once they voluntarily grant access to certain members of the media, then trying to restrict access to others can be termed selective access Selective access is frowned upon, without a compelling government interest
06/10/2010