SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
Program: B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) 8101/ B.B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) 8102 Semester : V (Batch2023-28
onwards) & Semester VIII
(2021-26, 2022-27)
Module : Media and Entertainment Law Module Code:
Teaching Scheme Evaluation Scheme
Lecture Practical Tutorial Credit Internal Term End Examinations
(Hours (Hours (Hours per Continuous (TEE)(Marks- 50
per per week) Assessment (ICA) in Question Paper)
week) week) (Marks - 50 )
2 0 0 2 Marks Scaled to 50 Marks Scaled to 50
Pre-requisite: Constitution Law basics, Contract Law, Torts Law, IPR basics, IPC.
Objectives:
1. Developing an in-depth understanding of the complex legal landscape
surrounding media and entertainment industries.
2. Identifying emerging trends in media and entertainment law, and analyzing ethical
considerations associated with media representation and content creation.
Outcomes:
1. To understand the legal principles, regulations, and challenges within media and
entertainment industries, and develop the ability to analyze complex legal scenarios in
these contexts. (PLO3a)
2. To analyze broadcasting and telecommunications regulations, critically examining the
balance between content regulation and freedom of expression in different media
platforms. (PLO1a)
3. To evaluate defamation and privacy issues in media content, effectively
identifying potential legal implications and proposing appropriate
legal remedies. (PLO4b)
Detailed Syllabus: ( per session plan )
Unit Description Duration
1. Introduction to Media Law 3 Hrs
Overview of media and allied industries
Media as the fourth Pillar of Democracy
Historical development and significance of media law
Key legal concepts and terminology
Evolution of forms of Media, Digital Media, Social Media
Basic Reading
D.D.Basu, The Law of Press of India, 2nd Edition, New Delhi,
Prentice Hall Inc,1980
Reference Reading
Divan, M.G. (2013). Facets of Media Law A mini encyclopaedia
covering multiple dimensions of media law. New Delhi: Eastern
SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
Book Company
Teaching Pedagogy- Group Discussion
2. Freedom of Speech and Expression and Media 3 Hrs
Constitutional position of freedom of speech and expression.
Definition of Various forms of Media under Art 19(1)(a)
Reasonable Restrictions
Freedom
Basic Reading
Chadha, K., & Arya, S. (2021, June 28). Challenges to Press
Freedom in India. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of
Communication.
Reference Reading
Romesh Thappar vs State of Madras
Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) (P) Ltd. v. Union of India
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
3. Freedom of Press and reasonable restriction 3 Hrs
Freedom of Press.
Laws of Defamation: Recent controversies surround arrest of
journalists
Obscenity, blasphemy and sedition.
Regulation, Newsprint Control Order.
Censorship
Advertisement- to what extent freedom is allowed under Art
19(1)(a)
Controversies surrounding arrest and detention of Journalists
Anti-Slapp Provisions
Basic Reading
M.P. Jain, Indian Constitutional Law (reprinted, 6th edn, Lexis
Nexis Butterworths Wadhwa 2011)
Reference Reading
Gaur, K. D. (1994). CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND
FREEDOM OF MEDIA IN INDIA. Journal of the Indian Law
Institute, 36(4), 429–454
Ranjan, S. (2015). MEDIA AND JUDICIARY: REVITALIZATION
OF DEMOCRACY. Journal of the Indian Law Institute, 57(3), 415– 436.
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
4. Ownership Patterns in media 2 Hrs
Ownership patterns and its regulation
Cross Ownership in media.
Controversies surrounding media ownership
Basic Reading
SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
THAKURTA, PARANJOY GUHA. “Curbing Media
Monopolies.” Economic and Political Weekly 48, no. 16 (2013):10–
14
Reference Reading
MURALIDHARAN, S. (2014). TRAI Report on Media
Ownership: The Press’s Curious Response. Economic and Political
Weekly, 49(36), 10–13
“Big Business Weds Big Media: The Reliance/Network18 Deal
Should Make Us Wake up to the Impending Threat to Media
Plurality.” Economic and Political Weekly 47, no. 4 (2012)
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
5. REGULATION OF MEDIA(I) 3 Hrs
Press Council of India Act,1978
The Cinematograph Act,1952
The Cable Television (Regulation) Network Act,1995
Prasar Bharti (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act,1997
Basic Reading
Statutes and the corresponding sections
UDUPA, S. (2012). Beyond Acquiescence and Surveillance: New
Directions for Media Regulation. Economic and Political Weekly,
47(4), 101–109
Reference Reading
Turning the Spotlight on the Media. (2011). Economic and Political
Weekly, 46(46), 8–8.
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
6. REGULATION OF MEDIA(II) 3 Hrs
Regulation of Electronic Media.
Report of Chanda Committee.
Need for autonomous corporation.
Basic Reading
Chanda Committee Report on Information and Broadcasting
Media
https://eparlib.nic.in/handle/123456789/940364?view_type=b
rowse
Reference Reading
“Self-Content Regulation” Indian Broadcasting Foundation,2016-
17, available at: http://www.ibfindia.com/self-
contentregulation
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
7. Intellectual property and Media 3 Hrs
The Copyright Act, 1957: Provisions governing copyright
SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
protection and usage
The Trademark Act, 1999
Celebrities Rights
Recent controversies with the emergence of multiple digital
platforms
Basic Reading
Statutes and the corresponding sections
Reference Reading
Turning the Spotlight on the Media. (2011). Economic and Political
Weekly, 46(46), 8–8.
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
8. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MEDIA LAW (I) 2 Hrs
Trial by Media.
Impact and outcome of self-regulation concept in Media.
Media coverage in Conflict zones.
Sting operations
Paid New
Source Disclosure
Basic Reading
Sundaram, Ravi. “Publicity, Transparency, and the Circulation
Engine: The Media Sting in India.” Current Anthropology 56, no.S12
(2015): S297–305
Reference Reading
200 th Report of the Law Commission on “Trial by Media: Free
Speech Vs. Fair Trial Under Criminal Procedure (Amendments tothe
Contempt of Court Act, 1971)
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
9. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN MEDIA LAW (II) 3 Hrs
Media and Ethics
Privacy and Media.
News Sensation & Sensitization
Social Media and its governance
Fake News and surrounding issues
Ethics of Journalism
Fair Reporting
Basic Reading
BHANDARI, V. (2018). PRIVACY CONCERNS IN THE
AGEOF SOCIAL MEDIA. India International Centre
Quarterly, 45(3/4), 66–81
Reference Reading
Siripurapu, Anshu, and William Merrow. “Social Media and
SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
Online Speech: How Should Countries Regulate Tech Giants?”
Council on Foreign Relations, 2021.
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
10. MEDIA AND TAXATION 2 Hrs
Constitutional Provisions
Direct impact of taxes on circulation of newspapers
Power to tax on circulation of newspapers
Business activity versus public purpose in dissemination of
information
State Government’s power to tax cinema
Basic Reading
M.P. Jain, Indian Constitutional Law (reprinted, 6th edn, Lexis
Nexis Butterworths Wadhwa 2011)
Romesh Thaper vs. Union of India, A.I.R. 1950 SC 124
Indian Express Newspaper vs Union of India (1985)1SCC 641
Sakal Papers vs Union of India, A.I.R. 1962 SC 305
Bennett Coleman & Co. vs Union of India, A.I.R. 1973 SC 106
Union of India v/s Association for Democratic Reforms (2002) 5
SCR 294
Reference Reading
Report on Media & Entertainment: India tax landscape,
https://www2.deloitte.com/in/en/pages/tax/articles/media-
entertainment-india-tax-landscape.html
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
11. Media Advertisement and Law 3 Hrs
Concept of Advertisement- Advertisement & Ethics
The Advertisement Act, 1954
Indecent Representation (Prohibition) Act, 1986
The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable) Act
Consumer protection and advertisement- misleading
advertisements.
Basic Reading
Statutes and their corresponding sections, offences, penaltiee
Reference Reading
“Journalists on Call: The Media Ignores Issues of Ethics and
Credibility at Great Risk to Its Own Sustainability.” Economic
and Political Weekly 45, no. 49 (2010)
Teaching Pedagogy- Socratic and Discussion based
Total 30 Hrs
SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
Kirit P. Mehta School of Law
Text Books:
1. D.D. Basu, The Law of Press of India, 2nd Edition, New Delhi, Prentice Hall
Inc, 1980.
2. Ram Jethmalani and D S Chopra, Cases and Material on Media Law, Thomson
Reuters, 2102.
Reference Books :
1. Madhavi Goradia Divan, Facets of Media Law, Eastern Book Company, 2012
Any Other Information:
1 Latest Updated Statutes, Act, Rules and Regulations and Case Law to be taught after discussion in
Multi-Campus Program Coordination (MPC) Meeting.
Total Marks of Internal Continuous Assessment (ICA) - 50 Marks
Distribution of ICA Marks:
Description of ICA Marks
Test 1 20 Marks
Quiz 10 Marks
Group Discussion 10 Marks
Class Participation 10 Marks
Total Marks : 50 Marks
Signature Signature
(Prepared by Ms. Anu Mishra) (Approved by Dean)
Updated: 06 April 2024(27th BOS)
