We covered a lot of territory last night on defamation defenses. For our next substantive class on March 9, I will spend the first part of the class going over a defamation checklist and a sample exam test question and talk a bit about the FEER case in Singapore as an example of how foreign media can stumble in Asia. Then for the second part of the class, we’ll focus on privacy and obscenity. As I mentioned, the readings are listed here on the course website.

We will begin our discussion of defamation trends and the elements of a defamation case.  While you’re welcome to peruse all the materials, it would help if you had a chance to read the first part of Chapter 3, Hong Kong Media Law, pp 21-41; Cottrell’s “What Does Defamation Mean? Reflections on Berkoff v. Burchill” (copy in your handouts), and Berkoff v. Burchill.

Professor Hualing Fu will speak during the first half of the class.  Please be on time if you can! For more on his background, please check here.

Please also check out the latest report issued by the International Federation of Journalists, “China Clings to Control: Press Freedom in 2009,” released 31 January 2010 at the Foreign Correspondents Club Hong Kong.

Thanks again for another great class. Here’s another example of freedom of expression for offensive topics — a comedy/satire on suicide bombers!  BBC refused to air the film. Let me know what you think. Watch the trailer – it’s hilarious.

The Daily Mail, 25 January 2010 “Comedian Chris Morris faces new controversy over film about suicide bombers wearing fancy dress to target London Marathon”

Dear everyone:

Thanks for a very lively class. We covered a lot of subjects, but just remember that it was only meant to be broad strokes. We will go into detail on the topics in the weeks to come. For next week, we will cover basic legal concepts before we delve into more specific freedom of expression issues.

And again, I’m sorry for Deirdre’s loss of her laptop. I just want to remind everyone to avoid leaving their laptops unattended in and out of class. Designate a laptop buddy or, as someone suggested, go to the Library to buy a laptop lock (similar to a bicycle lock).

To prepare for the first class, please be sure to obtain the 2 required texts for the course, Hong Kong  Media Law: A Guide for Journalists and Media Professionals (available at the university bookstore or the HKU Press showroom on campus), and International Libel & Privacy Handbook (available at the JMSC office).

- -Chapter 1 (Overview), Hong Kong Media Law, pp. 1-8. (You might also want to look at ”Key Legal Milestones for Press Freedom and Media Developments in Hong Kong,” on pp. xvii-xx and refer to the book website http://hongkongmedialaw.net for any updates.)

-Preface: Understanding Media Law in the Global Context,” International Libel & Privacy Handbook, pp. xiii-xxiv

-”Communication Law and Policy, Asia,” International Encyclopedia of Communication (Wiley Blackwell 2008), which gives a brief overview of media law issues in Asia (posted here )

See you soon!

Welcome to the website for JMSC6022 Media Law class.

Lecturer: Doreen Weisenhaus

Director, Media Law Project

Journalism and Media Studies Centre, HKU

Chapter updates available here:   http://hongkongmedialaw.net