Handbook of Communication Rights, Law, and Ethics

Communication is a fundamental feature of humanity. Communication represents an essential and very important human need as well as a basic human right. The right to communication should be considered in the framework of the freedom of expression and the pluralist democracy. The ability to communicate - to receive, process, store and produce messages - is central to human interaction and participation. To understand and to be understood not only enables expression of basic needs and wants; but also enables interaction and participation at a family, community, national and global level. All humans, regardless of their age or capacity, send and receive communicative messages. Human communication can be expressed through law, poetry, mathematics, history, conversation, music, art and social media, linking humans across time, generations and continents. The primary modes of communication privileged in many societies are speaking, listening, reading and writing, but can include other modes such as sign languages, online audio/video communication or non-verbal modes such as crying and touch.

This book presents a diverse, global perspective on how communication rights are protected and challenged around the world. Students will learn about their legal rights and obligations. The book will educate students on how to publish information without violating defamation and invasion of privacy, how to gather information to avoid legal and/or ethical trouble and how to deal with subpoenas. It will also examine how to navigate the digital space of contemporary journalism and focusing on Fair Use, and other laws, policies and best practices in the use of photographs, trademarks, film clips and other copyrighted works.

Communication in diverse contexts is shaped by the rights and constraints associated with expression. This book will introduce students to legal and ethical considerations and precepts to explore the points at which legal and ethical issues of communication are in concert or conflict.