Presenting discussions of major media law cases, this text contains a balance of case studies, analysis and narrative. The fourth edition reflects events that have occurred in the communication industry such as The Telecommunications Act of 1996, new efforts at libel law reform, and the first sign of cyberspace maturation litigation. Chapters have been updated to include more information in the areas of libel, obscenity and the Internet.

Excerpt from Communications Law Reform: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance of the Committee on Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourth Congress, First Session, May 10, 11, and 12, 1995 Staff present: Michael Regan, majority counsel; Catherine Reid, majority counsel; and David Leach, minority professional staff member. Mr. Fields. First of all, I would like to welcome everyone to the first day of 3 days of hearings. Members of Congress can rarely say that a piece of legislation is truly historic, that it truly evidences a watershed moment, that one piece of legislation can truly unleash the investment of capital to build the infrastructure and technology that gives enormous benefits to the consumer and pro pels this country into the 21st century, but it is fair to say that the Communications Act of 1995 is just such a piece of legislation. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Now in its second edition, Communication Law: Practical Applications in the Digital Age is an engaging and accessible text that brings a fresh approach to the fundamentals of mass media law. Designed for students of communication that are new to law, this volume presents its readers with key principles and emphasizes the impact of timely, landmark cases on today’s media world, providing an applied learning experience. This new edition offers a brand new chapter on digital media law, a wealth of new case studies, and expanded discussions of current political, social, and cultural issues.

Looking through a historical lens, this new casebook examines the evolution of telecommunication law, policy, and technology from the telegraph to the Internet. It examines six key industries: broadcast, cable TV, telephone, satellite, wireless, and the Internet. The book’s novel format begins with introductory chapters analyzing the nature of spectrum and regulation of spectrum-based services and the history and technology that link the regulation of telegraph-to-telephone-to-the-Internet. This casebook analyzes conceptions of the public interest as defined by statute, case law, and FCC and state decision-making. It contrasts the legal and economic standards used by antitrust law as compared to communications law. It examines telecommunication regulation through the lens of five key concepts: functionality, ownership or licensing, access, speech, and the public interest. The casebook offers projects and hypotheticals that support analysis of issues from the perspective of constitutional, administrative and communications law, as well as statutory issues raised by communications and information technology regulation. Professors and students will benefit from: A mix of theoretical and practical readings that build understanding of telecommunications technology, law, and regulation. A format friendly to both in-person and online teaching and study. Offering a combination of text, PowerPoint slides, links to video materials, and commentary that can be shared with students or used by the professor, the casebook includes projects students can generate and share through a live or online class. Historical perspective of federal and state communications policy beginning with the creation of the telegraph system, through the evolution and growth of the telephone system, the growth of broadcasting, cable, and satellite, and the growth of the Internet and Internet of Things. Knowledge and skills to recognize and litigate statutory, constitutional, Administrative Procedures Act, and other legal issues. Legislative and regulatory drafting, analysis, and decision-making skills, consistent with legal standards. Case and regulatory analysis, questions and projects that support writing, experiential, or exam-based courses and the production of student papers and presentations. Student skill-building to file comments in FCC and state communications regulatory decision-making dockets, and to file amicus briefs for legal cases.

Debuting in its first edition, Communication Law is an engaging and accessible text that brings a fresh approach to the fundamentals of mass media law. Unique in its approach and its visually attractive design, this text differentiates itself from other current texts on the market while presenting students with key principles and landmark cases that establish and define communication law and regulation, providing a hands-on learning experience.