Media law can be very complicated and there are many different aspects that go to make up the umbrella term of media law. These could include libel, defamation, intellectual property law, advertising law and telecommunications law. Such a diverse industry has lots of different types of jobs in it and this guide outlines some of the media law jobs that exist within the industry.
Explaining Media Law Jobs
Defamation & Libel Law – those working in within the area known as defamation and libel law could be expected to deal with various different types of clients. A lawyer could be representing a person or business that has been the victim of defamatory or libellous allegations. Or conversely, they could be working for a newspaper or publication that is seeking to defend itself in a libel case. Many practitioners within this sector provide pre-publishing advice to companies to help them avoid a libel case. Defamation and Libel law covers anything that appears in print, broadcast and web based media.
Advertising & Marketing Law – those working within advertising and media law will specialise in assisting clients with the way that they can advertise their products. Advertising law governs the placement, timing and content of adverts in a range of mediums such as print, broadcast and online. Those with media law jobs in this sector will be expected to assist clients in making sure that their advertising campaigns are legal and also working with clients who feel a certain advertising campaign falls foul of advertising law.
Intellectual Property Law – this sector of media law focuses largely on copyright law within the media industry. Those with media law jobs in this industry will be expected to work with clients who feel that their intellectual property rights have been breached in some way or advising clients to ensure that their work does not fall foul of copyright law. Copyright law is a very complex sector within the media jobs law and practitioners will be expected be able to successfully represent a client on both sides of the argument.
These are some of the key areas in which to find media law jobs, another large aspect of media law however deals with breach of privacy and of confidence. Those with media law jobs in this sector of the industry could be expected to represent clients who are involved in a breach of privacy case. Celebrities and broadcast/print media companies can often find themselves involved in breach of privacy cases.
