Handbook for Research in Media Law

Confronted with their first class in media law, many juniors, seniors, and even beginning graduate students may be at a loss. With little or no experience working with legal materials such as the statutes, cases, and regulations, the language and organizing principles of this specialized body of material can be confusing. The Handbook for Research in Media Law is a practical manual designed to help newcomers to media law overcome the obstacles they may encounter in working with legal materials. Students will find this book especially useful as they develop basic research plans to complete term papers or other class projects typically assigned by professors in media law courses.
Designed as a "how to" primer based largely on LexisNexis Academic, this supplemental text simplifies the process by providing step-by-step procedures for conducting legal research. The book helps students locate and analyze the sources of law, both secondary and primary. This includes federal and state examples such as case opinions, statutes, and regulations in terms of significant media law topics. Plus, students learn the process of accessing this information using web-based resources-efficiently and thoroughly.


The Handbook for Research in Media Law is arranged in terms of strategies so that students can conduct legal research in such topics as copyright, libel, invasion of privacy, and more. The techniques covered include locating the law, using correct citation style, analyzing and briefing primary law, and updating or "Shepardizing" the law. By providing easy-to-follow instructions, the text encourages students to work independently. Students will learn to identify both secondary and primary law relating to media law topics,, and to demonstrate an understanding of their organization and significance. Sparing students many of the frustrations they typically encounter when doing legal research for the first time, the Handbook for Research in Media Law shows students how to make the most of select legal resources now available to them electronically.