Final Exam Reminder

Thanks to those of you who came in today to ask last minute questions about the final exam. I will see all of you on Thursday at 1 p.m. for the final exam.

Here is a critical thinking question for you - it should be easy:

Of the various strategies or theories used by judges to interpret the First Amendment, the absolutist theory (no law means no law) is the most commonly used. Is this true or is it false?

Remember: The final is on Thursday at 1 p.m.

Happy studying!

Final Exam Prep

Hello all. You have now had the final exam study guide for almost two weeks - it is still available in an electronic form in an earlier post - and there have been two review sessions along with a study group day.

I plan to be in my office this Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon** for any last minute clarification questions about the exam. Remember that all of the material for the final has been covered previously during the semester.

** There are no office hours during exam week. Again, I plan to be on campus on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon but this could change if my son is sick. Check back to the class blog on Tuesday morning for any updates.

Final exam study guide

Here is a link to the study guide for the final exam.

Please use the concepts we discussed in class yesterday to help you study.

FCC Fines

In 2006, the federal government increased the FCC's power to fine by tenfold to a total of $325,000. The bill, called the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, passed unanimously by the Senate and cleared the House by a vote of 379-35. President Bush signed the legislation into law. Here is a story about the new fine power.

Here is a link to a chart documenting FCC fines against broadcast outlets - prior to the 2006 increase.

Study Guide #3

Here is a link to the third study guide.

MPAA & Films

Here is a clip from the documentary, This Film is Not Yet Rated, about the MPAA. ** Please note that there are adult concepts in these clips.

Watch this clip first.

Then, watch the below clip about the ratings.


** Please note that there are adult concepts in these clips.

F.C.C.

Here is a link to the FCC.

Here is information about the regulation about children's programming.

Here is a story about the Supreme Court considering the FCC's regulation of profanity. Here is the ruling. Here is more about the appeal.

Here is more about the FCC and the regulation of obscenity, indecency and profanity.

Extra Credit #2

To earn another 10 points of extra credit, find a news article or editorial column written about copyright law or a copyright lawsuit. Google.News is a good place to start.

Print out the article and put your name on it. Turn it in during the beginning or end of next Tuesday’s class - that is November 8th.

It’s that easy! No late assignments or emailed assignments will be accepted.

FTC & False Advertising

Advertising Regulation

The FTC has approved some changes to the use of testimonials in ads.

Here's a summary of some of the changes:
"Updated guidelines on ad endorsements and testimonials under final review by the Federal Trade Commission—and widely expected to be adopted—would end marketers' ability to talk up the extreme benefits of products while carrying disclaimers like "results not typical" or "individual results may vary."

Here is a link to a press release from the FTC about the changes.

Here is more about the Pizza Hut v Papa John's lawsuit.
Here is more about the CAN-SPAM Act. It contains important information on advertising through emails.

What does Sonny Bono have to do with Copyright Law?

Copyright & Fair Use

Exam 2 Today!

Hello all. Just a reminder that your second exam is today, Oct. 25. Remember to bring a pencil, a strawberry scantron sheet and your ID.

Remember, also, to be on time. Once the first exam is handed in, no late students will be allowed to take the exam.

Happy studying!

Public Records & Casey Anthony Jurors

The names of the jurors in the Casey Anthony trial were released this morning because they are covered by public records, or FOIA, laws. Here is the story.

Fair trial/Free press: Grand juries

Here is a story about Timothy Davis, the retired Orlando police officer who prosecutors say shot his 22-year-old son. He was indicted yesterday by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree murder.

Davis, 47, was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder in the Oct. 1 death of Timothy Davis Jr.

Remember that grand-jury proceedings are closed, so it is unknown how the panel reached a conclusion.

Yet, also remember that the grand jury indictment is open as indicated in the first paragraph.

Tuesday: Study Day!

Hello all. Just a reminder that today, Tuesday, is group Mass Comm Law Study Day for exam #2 as indicated in the syllabus. (The study guide was given out last Thursday and is available in the previous blog post: http://ucfmedialaw2011.blogspot.com/.)

There are no in-person office hours today.


Feel free to email me with questions from 2-4 p.m. today. For the most immediate response during that time period, use: voss.kimberly@gmail.com

Outside of that time period, use my UCF email and I will get back to you within a few daytime hours.

Happy studying!

Exam 2 Study Guide

Here is the study guide for exam 2. Happy studying!

Voir Dire

Access to Court Hearings and Documents

Here is more information on Richmond Newspapers v Virginia.

Here is information about cameras in the courtroom.

Here is more information on cameras in the courtroom - each state is different but most allow some cameras in trial courtrooms.

Here is more information on Chandler v Florida.

Here is a chart of the Florida court system.

Here is an overview of the Florida circuit court system.

Here is information about the Ninth Circuit Court. Here is basic information about the docket. Here are some past annual reports.

Here is information about the Eighteenth Circuit Court. Here is docket information

FOIA Extra Credit

To earn 10 extra credit points, put FOIA to work.

Seek a state or federal record from the executive branch with a formal letter or email request if the agency accepts them. Examples of letters are on this blog. Send the request to the agency and also make a second copy of the letter/email to get class credit.

Or, find an agency record online and print it out - the first page or two if it is lengthy. (Make sure it is an actual record.) Bring the record to class with your name on it.

The extra credit is due ONLY before or after class on Thursday, Oct. 27. The extra credit will not be accepted by email so ask a classmate to bring yours in if you cannot make it that day.

For more details on public records, look at the previous blog posts about FOIA and/or review Chapter 9.