6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1000808BER for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Possible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Studenten die dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen, moeten geslaagd zijn voor 'Mediabeleid' en geslaagd zijn voor minstens 30 ECTS-credits op bachelorniveau.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Fabienne Brison (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

39 contact hours Lecture
111 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The course "Media Law” is a practical introduction to the legal principles that govern media law and is divided into three parts.

  1. The first part, “the regulation of the message", deals with the European and constitutional protection of freedom of expression as well as the restrictions which may be imposed on this freedom (prohibition of discrimination/racism, protection of public order and morals, protection of privacy, right to honor and good reputation, right of image, etc.) .The first section includes an overview of the regulation of commercial advertising in the legislation on Fair Market Practices, and the functioning of the JEP (self-regulatory). The possible sanctions to punish abuse of freedom of expression (in particular the right of reply) are also covered in this first part.
  2. The second part, "the regulation of the media", mainly addresses Flemish broadcasting regulation (Media Decree), touches upon regulation of "printed press", and only if enough time also on the internet as a communication mode.
  3. In the third part, "the regulation of the messanger",  discusses the rules of copyright and the rules that apply to journalists (the protected title of " professional journalist", the protection of the sources' secret, the ethics and the Council for Journalism). 
Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Slides van de hoorcolleges ter beschikking gesteld, Canvas
Handbook (Recommended) : Wetboek media- en auteursrecht, Brison - Manpaey-Van Der Perre, OWL Press, 9789463930451, 2019
Additional info

The course is given via lectures. Besides normal lectures, guest lectures will be organised (approximately 5 lectures). (Guest-)lectures can be organised elsewhere (but always in or around Brussels).

Slides of the lectures (including of the guest lectures who are part of the course, and thus study material) are made ​​available through the online learning platform of the VUB. These slides need to be completed with personal notes taken during lectures and guest lectures.

If possible, legal texts will also be made available, eventually via a Codex (still to be published), or by default, to be downloaded from the internet.

Students are encouraged to be present duirng the course to get a better insight.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

This course contributes - via insight in the legal aspects of mass media, their genesis, objectives, scope of application and their interpretation - to the following learning results of the bachelor program in communication studies:

  • Students have knowledge and understanding of historical and recent developments in media and communication.
  • Students have knowledge and understanding of the structures, operation and processes of media and communication organisations, media and communication practices, and media and communication markets.
  • Students are able to detect trends and issues within a media landscape, analyse these on the basis of a theoretical framework of reference and analysis, and estimate their societal, professional and policy implications.
  • Students show a critical attitude with regard to sources and literature.  
  • Students demonstrate an honest attitude, ethical stance and engaged position, permitting a relevant contribution to current scientific and societal debates.
  • Students develop an attitude of willingness to listen and respect to one another in order to engage in debates on the basis of scientifically and empirically grounded arguments.
  • Students demonstrate an interested, studious and inquisitive attitude and have an open attitude to life long and independent learning.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Schriftelijk Examen with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Exam: 100% written.

Students may consult the legal texts made available (without notes) during the exam; consulting other study materials is not allowed.

Examples of questions:

  • How is the freedom of expression guaranteed in legal texts?
  • How much time do you have to enforce your right to reply in a newspaper?
  • What is "the cascade principle"?
  • Explain an article in the newspaper in the light of this course
Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Philosophy and Moral Sciences: default (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)