PRESS LAWS

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the Laws relating to the Press and the Regulation of the Press in India. [1] 
2. Development of Law and Law and Society. [2] 
3. Legal Language and Maxims [2] 
4. Constitutional Provisions [8] 
   1. 1. 1. PREAMBLE to the Indian Constitution: Justice Liberty Equality Fraternity. 
         2. Articles 14 and 15. 
         3. Article 19: Fundamental Freedoms and Reasonable Restrictions, including the Test of Reasonableness, with discussions on Judgements. 
         4. Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression and Trade and Profession, with respect to the Freedom of the Press and Rights of Journalists and Right to Information/Dissemination of Information. 
         5. Discussion of Judgments on the subject. 
         6. Art. 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty and the Due Process of Law. 
         7. Right to Privacy. 
5. The Contempt of Court Act. [2] 
6. Defamation [1] 
   1. Civil and Criminal Defamation
   2. Tortuous Liability for Defamation 
   3. Criminal Provisions relating to Defamation. (Secs. 499 & 500 IPC) 
7. Other Criminal Law Provisions: [1] 
   1. Public Order (sections 153 A & B,295A & 505). 
   2. Sedition (124A)  
   3. Obscenity (292 & 293)
8. Intellectual Property Rights [4] 
   1. Introduction to Intellectual Property and Types of Property.
   2. Copyrights
   3. Trademarks 
   4. Patents
   5. Fair Usage and Permissible Uses
   6. Infringement 
   7. Licensing and Assignment of Intellectual Properties. 
   8. Legal Remedies for Infringement. 
9. Right to Information Act [2] 
10. Official Secrets Act [2] 
11. Indian Evidence Act – Understanding the Law of Evidence (Relevant Provisions). [1] 
12. Whistle Blowers Protection Act. [1] 
13. Press Council of India Act. (Formation, Powers and Functions of the PCI). [2] 
14. Laws Relating to the Digital Media: [2] 
    1. Relevant Provisions of the Information Technology Act. 
    2. The IT Rules 2021. 
15. Prasar Bharati Act. (Relevant Provisions). [1] 
16. Working Journalists Act (Relevant Provisions). [1] 
17. Press (Registration of Books) Act. (Relevant Provisions). [1] 
18. Indian Legal System and Hierarchy of Courts in India. [1] 
19. Discussions: [1] 
    1. Need for Ethics and Self-Regulation
    2. Media Trials. 
20. Moot Court: [4]