Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Information Law
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Email.
Introduction
This course introduces students to the legal framework governing the practice of journalism and the activities of the media. Its aim is to provide students with the knowledge and tools required to understand the rights, obligations and responsibilities associated with researching, producing, publishing and disseminating news and other journalistic content.
The course examines the constitutional foundations of freedom of expression and the right to information, as well as the main legal limits affecting journalistic activity, particularly the protection of honour, privacy, image rights, personal data and the rights of minors. It also addresses the rights and duties of media professionals, professional secrecy, the protection of journalistic sources, the conscience clause, the right of reply and the different forms of liability arising from the publication of content.
From an applied perspective, the course explores common situations encountered in journalistic practice, including the coverage of judicial proceedings, the use of images and third-party content, the dissemination of information through social media and digital platforms, the handling of disinformation, and the emerging legal challenges associated with artificial intelligence and synthetic content.
Through case studies, the analysis of judicial decisions and the resolution of professional scenarios, students will develop the ability to identify legal risks, assess competing rights and make responsible and rigorous editorial decisions that respect the democratic and ethical principles governing the journalistic profession.
Pre-course requirements
No.
Objectives
- Understand the constitutional and legal foundations of freedom of expression and the right to information.
- Understand the legal framework governing the practice of journalism and the activities of the media.
- Identify the legal rights, duties and responsibilities of media professionals.
- Analyse the limits of freedom of information in relation to the right to honour, privacy, image rights, the protection of personal data and the rights of minors.
- Understand the legal framework governing the research, acquisition, processing and dissemination of journalistic content.
- Understand the mechanisms that protect professional independence, including professional secrecy, the protection of journalistic sources and the conscience clause.
- Analyse the right of reply and the different forms of liability arising from the publication of journalistic content.
- Apply legal and ethical principles to the resolution of situations arising in journalistic practice.
- Identify and assess the main legal challenges associated with digital journalism, social media, online platforms, disinformation and artificial intelligence.
- Develop criteria for making responsible and rigorous editorial decisions that respect fundamental rights and democratic principles.
Syllabus
The Spanish Constitution and the social and democratic rule of law.
Fundamental rights and public freedoms.
Freedom of expression and freedom of information.
The right to impart and receive information.
The social role of journalism in a democratic society.
Media pluralism and the guarantee of a free public opinion.
Block 2. The Practice of Journalism
The investigation, gathering, processing and dissemination of information.
Journalists and the holders of the right to information.
The constitutional requirement of truthfulness.
Professional due diligence, source corroboration and information verification.
Access to public information and the principle of transparency.
Limits and restrictions on access to information.
Block 3. Legal Limits on Freedom of Information
The right to honour.
The right to personal and family privacy.
The right to one’s own image.
Balancing freedom of information against personality rights.
Public interest, public relevance and proportionality.
The protection of minors and vulnerable groups.
The protection of personal data in journalistic activity.
The use of images, data and personal information in news content.
Block 4. Rights, Duties and Safeguards for Media Professionals
Professional secrecy and the protection of journalistic sources.
The conscience clause.
Editorial independence and professional freedom.
Journalists’ rights and duties.
Ethical principles and professional self-regulation.
Civil, criminal and administrative liability of media professionals and media organisations.
Block 5. Rectification, Liability and Information-Related Disputes
The right of reply.
The correction of errors and the updating of news content.
Liability arising from the publication and dissemination of information.
The liability of journalists, editors and media organisations.
Complaint mechanisms and dispute resolution.
Case-law analysis and the resolution of practical cases.
Block 6. Judicial Information and Court Reporting
The basic organisation of the justice system.
The main jurisdictions and judicial procedures.
The public nature of judicial proceedings and its limits.
The presumption of innocence and media coverage of persons under investigation.
Confidentiality of judicial proceedings and the protection of the parties.
Media coverage of criminal proceedings.
The protection of victims, minors and other particularly vulnerable persons.
The use of judicial documents, leaks and institutional sources.
Block 7. Digital Journalism and Emerging Legal Challenges
Editorial responsibility in digital media.
The dissemination of information through social media and digital platforms.
Content moderation and platform liability.
Disinformation, verification and journalistic responsibility.
Copyright and the reuse of digital content.
The use of third-party content and content obtained from social media.
Artificial intelligence in journalism.
Synthetic content, audiovisual manipulation and deepfakes.
Transparency, identification and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence systems.
Bibliography and resources
Spanish Constitution (1978).
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Organic Law 1/1982, of 5 May, on the civil protection of the right to honour, personal and family privacy, and one’s own image.
Organic Law 2/1984, of 26 March, regulating the right of reply.
Organic Law 2/1997, of 19 June, regulating the conscience clause of information professionals.
Law 19/2013, of 9 December, on transparency, access to public information and good governance.
Organic Law 1/1996, of 15 January, on the legal protection of minors.
Regulation (EU) 2016/679, on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data (GDPR).
Organic Law 3/2018, of 5 December, on the Protection of Personal Data and the Guarantee of Digital Rights.
Law 13/2022, of 7 July, on General Audiovisual Communication.
Regulation (EU) 2022/2065, on a Single Market for Digital Services (Digital Services Act).
Regulation (EU) 2024/1083, establishing a common framework for media services in the European internal market (European Media Freedom Act).
Consult the current and consolidated versions: BOE and EUR-Lex.