Farewell, Fall 2023 classes!

 Thank you so much for a great semester!

I want you to know how much I appreciated each of my media law classes this semester -- MW 11 a.m. class, MW 3:30 p.m. class and Online class.

I've enjoyed discussing media law and ethics topics throughout the semester with you. I greatly appreciated your insight, inquisitiveness and desire to learn. After all, I can't do what I do if it weren't for you. You help me see these materials with fresh eyes, and I am very grateful.

Congratulations to those that are graduating this semester. I'll be at commencement to celebrate with you.

We started the semester with my question to you to name a favorite law-related book, movie, TV show or song. Allow me to end it with a line from another favorite law-related movie of mine, “The Shawshank Redemption,” a movie about Andy Dufresne, a man wrongly accused and wrongly convicted of murder. Late in the movie, he writes a letter to his friend Red.

“Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

I wish all the best for you wherever life takes you. Please keep in touch. Best wishes.

Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk

 As you learn and think about intellectual property, I'd like for you to watch Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk: "Laws that choke creativity."

Even though this presentation was done in March 2007, it is still highly relevant to issues involving copyright and digital and online media.

 

After you watch the presentation, return here and add a comment about whether you agree with Lessig or not, and why or why not.  

With your comment, please include your first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (11 a.m. class, 3:30 p.m. class or Online class). I need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points. 

The deadline for your comment is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, the last class day of the fall semester. Late comments will not be accepted for credit.

Government threats to free speech

 In recent years, various state legislatures, including in Texas, have considered a wide range of legislation, some of which involve potential infringements on free speech and free press.

Watch this video (released in 2021) from Reason.com, a libertarian magazine published in the United States, which examines some of these proposals. 

You can also find the news story (which matches the video) at this link: https://reason.com/video/2021/03/22/government-is-still-the-biggest-threat-to-free-speech/ 

After you watch the video or read the article, return here with your reaction. What do you think about these proposals? Do you think they are a good idea, or not? Why or why not?

With your comment, please include your first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (11 a.m. class, 3:30 p.m. class or Online class). I need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.

Free speech at Texas State

 In light of political protests on the Texas State campus, across the state, nation and world in the past few years, it’s interesting to note that this is nothing new in San Marcos.

Consider the situation with the San Marcos 10. These 10 students at Texas State University (then called Southwest Texas State University) took part in a protest against the Vietnam War on campus, but were suspended and expelled from the university in 1969.

Read this University Star feature story about some of the members of the San Marcos 10 returning to Texas State on the 50th anniversary of the protest in 2019: https://universitystar.com/17846/life-and-arts/san-marcos-10-revisit-texas-state-for-50-year-protest-anniversary/

 Also, listen to this NPR report broadcast from Oct. 23, 2001, in which two of the San Marcos 10 were interviewed:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1131946 

Consider that this interview was conducted less than two months after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

After you read the article and listen to the NPR report, return here and add a comment with your reaction.

With your comment, please include your first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (11 a.m. class, 3:30 p.m. class or Online class). I need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.

Welcome, Fall 2023 classes!

Welcome to my Media Law blog. I use this blog as a teaching tool that allows me to comment on current events and topics related to media law. It also allows you to participate in discussions involving media law topics.

As the name of the blog suggests, I want you to use this forum to speak freely about the topics that we will discuss during the spring semester.

We will discuss some controversial topics -- and often, we may not agree. You may not agree with me, or you may not agree with your classmates.

But this is a forum of expression, so you have the right to express your opinion. My opinion is not correct just because I'm the instructor. You should feel free to disagree with me.

Think about this as the First Amendment in practice.

A few ground rules, please. Some of our discussions may become heated. While you have the right to express your opinion, I urge you to be considerate of others, especially those with whom you disagree. Avoid attacking or belittling others just because you disagree with their opinions. And, I suggest you double check your comment for grammar, clarity and sensitivity before you post.

With your comment, please include your first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (11 a.m. class, 3:30 p.m. class or Online class). I need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.

You can get an idea of how I used this blog in past semesters, though you are not responsible for reading or commenting on previous blog entries.

Now, let's start with something light.

Share with us a favorite book, movie, TV show, song, etc., that is related to law, then tell us why it's your favorite and include a brief summary of the work.

I'll go first. In past semesters, the movie I would call my favorite was "Twelve Angry Men" -- the original with Henry Fonda. But in 2012, I saw Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" and was thoroughly impressed. The movie recounts President Lincoln's effort to encourage Congress to pass the Thirteen Amendment, which abolished slavery. A movie about passing a constitutional amendment? How perfect for a media law prof!

I look forward to reading your comments.

Farewell, Spring 2023 classes!

As we celebrate the end of the spring semester, I want to thank you all for a great semester.

I've enjoyed discussing Media Law topics throughout the semester with you. I greatly appreciated your insight, inquisitiveness and desire to learn. After all, I can't do what I do if it weren't for you. You help me see these materials with fresh eyes, and I am very grateful.

Congratulations to those that are graduating this semester. I'll be at cheering for you from afar and helping celebrate your achievement.

We started the semester with my question to you to name a favorite law-related book movie, TV show, or song. Allow me to end it with a line from another favorite law-related movie of mine, “The Shawshank Redemption,” a movie about Andy Dufresne, a man wrongly accused and wrongly convicted of murder. Late in the movie, he writes a letter to his friend Red.

“Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

I wish all the best for you wherever life takes you. Please keep in touch. Best wishes.

Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk

 As you learn and think about intellectual property, I'd like for you to watch Lawrence Lessig's TED Talk: "Laws that choke creativity."

Even though this presentation was done in March 2007, it is still highly relevant to issues involving copyright and digital and online media.

 

After you watch the presentation, return here and add a comment about whether you agree with Lessig or not, and why or why not. Remember, also, to include your first name, last name initial and class ((MW class, Online class or Honors class). Since we're near the end of the semester, your comment is due by 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 1, the last class day of the semester. Late comments will not be accepted for credit.

Government threats to free speech

 

In recent years, various state legislatures, including in Texas, have considered a wide range of legislation, some of which involve potential infringements on free speech and free press.

Watch this video from Reason.com, a libertarian magazine published in the United States, which examines some of these proposals. 

You can also find the news story (which matches the video) at this link: https://reason.com/video/2021/03/22/government-is-still-the-biggest-threat-to-free-speech/ 

After you watch the video or read the article, return here with your reaction. What do you think about these proposals? Do you think they are a good idea, or not? Why or why not?

Please remember to include your first name and last name initial so I can track your comments for credit (MW class, Online class or Honors class).

Free speech at Texas State

 In light of political protests on the Texas State campus, across the state, nation and world in the past few years, it’s interesting to note that this is nothing new in San Marcos.

Consider the situation with the San Marcos 10. These 10 students at Texas State University (then called Southwest Texas State University) took part in a protest against the Vietnam War on campus, but were suspended and expelled from the university in 1969.

Read this University Star feature story about some of the members of the San Marcos 10 returning to Texas State on the 50th anniversary of the protest in 2019: https://www.universitystar.com/life_and_arts/features/san-marcos-10-revisit-texas-state-for-50-year-protest-anniversary/article_65545e12-7412-5846-902c-890314667756.html 

Also, listen to this NPR report broadcast from Oct. 23, 2001, in which two of the San Marcos Ten were interviewed:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1131946 

Consider that this interview was conducted less than two months after the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.

After you read the article and listen to the NPR report, return here and add a comment with your reaction.

With your comment, please include your first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (MW class, Online class or Honors). I need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.

Welcome, Spring 2023 Classes!

 Welcome to my Media Law blog. I use this blog as a teaching tool that allows me to comment on current events and topics related to media law. It also allows you to participate in discussions involving media law topics.

As the name of the blog suggests, I want you to use this forum to speak freely about the topics that we will discuss during the spring semester.

We will discuss some controversial topics -- and often, we may not agree. You may not agree with me, or you may not agree with your classmates.

But this is a forum of expression, so you have the right to express your opinion. My opinion is not correct just because I'm the instructor. You should feel free to disagree with me.

Think about this as the First Amendment in practice.

A few ground rules, please. Some of our discussions may become heated. While you have the right to express your opinion, I urge you to be considerate of others, especially those with whom you disagree. Avoid attacking or belittling someone just because you disagree with his or her opinion. And, I suggest you double check your comment for grammar, clarity and sensitivity before you post.

With your comment, please include your first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (MW class, Online class or Honors). I need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.

You can get an idea of how I used this blog in past semesters, though you are not responsible for reading or commenting on previous blog entries.

Now, let's start with something light.

Share with us a favorite book, movie, TV show, song, etc., that is related to law, then tell us why it's your favorite and include a brief summary of the work.

I'll go first. In past semesters, the movie I would call my favorite was "Twelve Angry Men" -- the original with Henry Fonda. But in 2012, I saw Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln" and was thoroughly impressed. The movie recounts President Lincoln's effort to encourage Congress to pass the Thirteen Amendment, which abolished slavery. A movie about passing a constitutional amendment? How perfect for a media law prof!

I look forward to reading your comments.