Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Communication Law and Ethics
Course Code
KSK_128
Branch of Science
Communication Theory; Media and communications
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Ivans Jānis Mihailovs
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To familiarise students with international, European and Latvian law, which determines the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of press, the procedure of circulation of information, regulate functioning of mass media.
To shape professional views of students about communication law and ethics in the context of interconnections among legal state, democracy and human rights guarantees.
To develop skills of students in the use of communication law and ethical norms and principles in professional activity.
Preliminary Knowledge
Introduction to the studies and speciality.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students master basic norms of communication law and ethics, which are necessary, when studying or professionally working in the communication sector.
Skills
1.As a result of the course, students understand the content of the principles of “freedom of expression”, “freedom of the press”, “freedom of information”, “privacy”, “equality”.
2.Is able to assess the importance of compliance with legal norms and principles in communication processes; is aware of the importance of ethical norms (codes of ethics) in research and professional activities.
Competences
1.As a result of mastering the course students integrate knowledge in communication law and ethics in research or professional activity.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
Report. Topical challenges in communication law and ethics should be selected. The topic of the report should be coordinated with the university lecturer. Theoretical and practical aspects of the selected topic should be reviewed.
For distance learning, students - According to the teacher's instructions in e-studies:
• get acquainted with study materials and lecture recordings,
• prepare two essays on the course topics,
• pass a self-test.
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
10 points
|
|
The final mark is the sum of all marks. Knowledge is assessed using a 10-point grading system. The final mark is formed by: 1) performance at seminars – 20%, 2) summaries of recommended readings / essays / self-test– 20%, 3) report – 20%, 4) examination – 40%. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethics, basic principles of ethics. Topical problems of modern communication ethics. Ethics and law.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Professional ethics of a journalist and a public relations specialist: global experience and situation in Latvia. Code of ethics. Ethics and internet.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Human rights: concept and system. Guarantees of human rights in Latvia.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Freedom of expression and press. Openness of information and state secret.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical and legal aspects of freedom of expression.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principle of equality. Principle of “private life”. Protection of personal data.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Advertising regulation in Latvia. Legal and ethical aspects of advertising. Media and advertising.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Regulation of functioning of press and electronic mass media in Latvia. Operation of the National Electronic Mass Media Council.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Copyright. Significance of copyright in professional activity.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Topical problems of communication law in Latvia.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
20 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
PART-TIME
Part 1
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Advertising regulation in Latvia. Legal and ethical aspects of advertising. Media and advertising.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethics, basic principles of ethics. Topical problems of modern communication ethics. Ethics and law.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Copyright. Significance of copyright in professional activity.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Freedom of expression and press. Openness of information and state secret.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Principle of equality. Principle of “private life”. Protection of personal data.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Topical problems of communication law in Latvia.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Regulation of functioning of press and electronic mass media in Latvia. Operation of the National Electronic Mass Media Council.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Ethical and legal aspects of freedom of expression.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Latvijas Republikas Satversme
2.
Eiropas Parlamenta un Padomes Regula (ES) 2016/679 (2016. gada 27. aprīlis) par fizisku personu aizsardzību attiecībā uz personas datu apstrādi un šādu datu brīvu apriti un ar ko atceļ Direktīvu 95/46/EK (Vispārīgā datu aizsardzības regula)
3.
Informācijas atklātības likums
4.
Likums "Par presi un citiem masu informācijas līdzekļiem"
5.
Autortiesību likums
6.
Reklāmas likums
7.
Elektronisko plašsaziņas līdzekļu likums
8.
Fizisko personu datu apstrādes likums
9.
Lasmane S. Komunikācijas ētika. – Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2012
10.
Latvijas mediju vides daudzveidība. – Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2018
11.
Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri. VIII Cilvēka pamattiesības. – Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2012
12.
Sabiedrisko elektronisko plašsaziņas līdzekļu un to pārvaldības likums
13.
Informācijas sabiedrības tiesību pamati. - Rīga: RSU, 2022.
Additional Reading
1.
Šimkus A. Žurnālista un avotu aizsardzības privilēģijas definīcija Eiropā un ASV // Jurista Vārds – 2016. – Nr.37.
2.
Rokasgrāmata žurnālistiem Īsi par mediju likumiem
3.
Veikša I. Autortiesības digitālajā laikmetā. - Rīga: Biznesa augstskola "Turība", 2021
4.
Latvia // International Legal Research Group on Freedom of Expression – Protection of Journalistic Sources
Other Information Sources
1.
Publikācijas Jurista Vārds, Communication Law and Policy, tiesu prakse