MASS MEDIA AND THE LAW - BRC 319 Course Description - Fall 2007

		Abstracts During the semester, you will chose one abstract topic from each of the four groups of topics listed below. You may choose any topic group for your first abstract. Topic groups do not need to be chosen in order. You MAY NOT change or alter the titles or research subjects in any way. Abstracts must be written in accordance with the style and form illustrated in the RULES AND REGS ABSTRACT MANUAL. Abstracts which do not meet the criteria set forth in the manual will NOT receive a passing grade. Abstracts must be handed in by the end of class (not after class) on due date. Those not turned in at that time will be considered late unless the student has received written permission to hand in the document at a later time. I cannot assume responsibility for the loss of any abstracts not turned in during class. There will be no deviation from this policy unless the student receives permission from the instructor prior to the due date. Students who do not complete all abstracts as assigned will receive a failing grade for the course.

		ABSTRACT TOPICS FOR FALL 2007 Group #1 1.      American Civil Liberties Union v. National Security Agency.  Why is this case important to journalists? 2.      Should the FCC Mandate Open Access for 700MHZ Band Users . What are the issues? 3.      Do current FCC indecency enforcement proceedings for radio violate the First Amendment rights of broadcasters?  The pros and cons. 4.      Sinclair Broadcast Group v. FCC. What is the significance of the appellate court's decision? Group # 2 5.      Prometheus Radio Project v. the FCC.  What is the significance of the decision? 6.      Stanton v. Metro Corp.  What issues related to libel are illustrated in the case? 7.      Is the revised Patriot Act constitutional?  Does it endanger our privacy rights? 8.      MGM v. Grokster.  What are key the issues settled by the Supreme Court? Group # 3 9.      United States v. Williams (06-694). What are the key issues in this case?  10.     Have the FCC's 1996 Children's TV rules succeeded in providing better implementation of the Children's TV Requirements? 11.     Cockran v. Veneman and the National Dairy Promotion Board:  Did government go too far with ‘Got Milk?’ 12.     What are the limits of Free Speech?  Does the First Amendment protect DJ Star (Troi Torian)? Group # 4 13.     Brand X v. NCTA.  What are the pros and cons of network neutrality? 14.     What should the public interest obligations of digital television broadcasters be? 15.     Was the Intelligence Identities Protection Act correctly applied in the Judith Miller case? 16.      Hosty v. Carter: did the courts apply the Hazelwood standard properly?

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