Law 161: Electronic Mass Media Regulation

This course will examine the regulation of electronic mass media by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Congress and the courts, with a particular focus on the broadcasting and cable industries and the effect of the Internet, digitalization and other new technologies on those industries. The course will focus on the history of the broadcast and cable industries as well as the various regulations, First Amendment cases, and policies applicable to these industries. Current topics such as indecency over the airwaves, political ads, media concentration, and the development of digital and satellite television will be covered. Students will be graded based on class participation and three take-home essays due over the course of the semester.