Volume 20, Number 2
Below is the Table of Contents for the Winter/Spring 2015 edition of the Silha Bulletin. Click on the title to read the full article.
Bulletin Winter/Spring 2015: Volume 20, No. 2
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Cover Story: Charlie Hebdo Attack Leaves Several Dead, Sparks International Debate on Limits of Free Speech
On the morning of Jan. 7, 2015, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi forced their way into the offices of the satirical French newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France.
Cover Story: Silha Center Co-Sponsors Panel Discussion on Free Expression in Wake of Attacks
The debate over the limits of free expression made its way to the University of Minnesota during a panel discussion held on Jan. 29, 2015.
Media Ethics: News Organizations Backpedal after Failures to Fact Check, Anchor’s False Stories
During late 2014 and early 2015, several news organizations found themselves facing scandals surrounding the authenticity of their reporting.
Data Privacy: Hack of Sony Pictures Raises Legal, Ethical Questions for Reporting on Stolen Information
On Nov. 24, 2014, Sony Pictures suffered a severe data breach.
Reporter’s Privilege: Espionage Conviction Ends Lengthy Struggle to Compel Journalist’s Testimony
On Jan. 26, 2015, The New York Times reported that Jeffrey Sterling, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer, was convicted of several counts of violating the Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. §793 et seq.
Reporter’s Privilege: Silha Events: 30th Annual Silha Lecture to Feature James Risen, Joel Kurtzberg
On Oct. 19, 2015, the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law will host New York Times journalist James Risen and his attorney Joel Kurtzberg as the featured speakers during the 30th Annual Silha Lecture.
Copyright: Jury Awards $7.3 Million in “Blurred Lines” Music Copyright Infringement Suit
On March 10, 2015, a federal jury in Los Angeles ruled that Robin Thicke’s 2013 hit song “Blurred Lines” had copied elements of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up,” without permission in Williams v. Bridgeport Music Inc., 2015 WL 1476803 (C.D. Cal.).
Right of Publicity: Ninth Circuit Rules First Amendment Does Not Protect NFL Video Game from Right of Publicity Suit
On Jan. 6, 2015, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that former NFL players may sue video game developer Electronic Arts (EA) for violation of their right of publicity.
International News: The Guardian Gains Major Victory in UK Freedom of Information Ruling in “Black Spider” Case
On March 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled that the British government must disclose the contents of several letters that Prince Charles sent to various department ministers during 2004 and 2005.
Net Neutrality: New FCC Rules Spur Heated Debate about Net Neutrality Regulation
On Feb. 26, 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted in favor of new rules that re-classify Internet service providers (ISPs) as “common carriers” under Title II of the 1934 Communications Act, allowing the agency to create strong regulations for Internet traffic.
Journalism Technology: FAA Releases New Proposed Regulations for Private Drone Use; Commercial Ban Remains in Place
On Feb. 15, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a framework for the regulation of small drones, also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Continue reading.
Cybersecurity: Obama Calls for Data Security Reforms
In his Jan. 30, 2015 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama urged Congress to focus on several emerging problems in data protection and cybersecurity. Continue reading.
State Law Updates: States Continue to Grapple with Varying Issues Involving Communications Law
Media law often focuses on issues that federal courts and lawmakers must decide. Continue reading.