Objective:
Students will learn about freedom of the Press and restrictions thereupon, the right to publish and the right to privacy.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, learners will be able to:
CO1 : Understand the fundamentals of the freedom of the press.
CO2 : Gain knowledge about the history of Indian Press.
CO3 : Have complete knowledge about reporting based on civil and criminal laws.
CO4: Know the Broadcasting and Advertising codes.
CO5: Understand the functions of Media Council.
UNIT I
Fundamental Rights – Freedom of Speech and Expression and their Limits with special reference to Media, Provisions of Declaring Emergency and their Effects on Media. Censorship in media.
UNIT II
Specified Press Laws: History of Press Laws in India – Contempt of Courts Act 1971– Civil and Criminal Law of Defamation – Relevant Provisions of Indian Penal Code with Reference of Sedition, Crime Against Women and Children; Laws Dealing with Obscenity; Official Secrets Act, 1923, Right to Information 2006.
UNIT III
Press commissions – Press council: structure and functions – Reports of various committees & commissions dealing with media in India – Chanda committee, Varghese committee, Joshi committee, Vardhan committee, Sengupta committee, Mac Bride Commission
UNIT IV
ASCI code of ethics for advertising – DAVP’S code of advertising – IPRA code of ethics for PR practitioners PRSI code for PR practitioners – Code of ethics by editor’s guildofIndia-Codeofconductforjournalistsbypresscouncilandmediahouses
UNIT V
Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Working Journalists and Other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service & Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act, 1955; – Cinematograph Act, 1953; PrasarBharati Act; WTO Agreement And Intellectual Property Right Legislations, Including Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act And Patent Act – Information Technology, Convergence Legislations Including Cyber Laws and Cable Television Act and Media and Public Interest Litigation.
Total: 60 Hrs