Information Law

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Credits: 6

Code: 16216

Course: 2

Term: Second semester

Type: OB

Module:

Matter:

Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Teaching staff

Office hours:

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.

Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme

CN01 - Recognise contemporary social and media realities, contextualise historical events, and identify newsworthy issues at local, national and international levels.
CN02 - Identify the various stakeholders in contemporary journalism, their roles and the operational dynamics of a digital and globalised environment.
CN04 - Explain contemporary legal and political institutions and macroeconomic indicators in their current context.
CN05 - Define concepts and specialised journalistic terminology in English.
HB01 - Interpret relevant data obtained from a variety of sources.
HB05 - Distinguish between information, opinion and manipulation, applying verification and source-checking techniques to debunk misinformation and identify content generated by artificial intelligence.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Students will be able to:

To acquire essential knowledge of economics, geopolitics, law and politics in order to understand the major issues facing the contemporary world.
To develop a complex understanding of contemporary societies by becoming familiar with the main national and international institutions, the influence of nations on one another, and global centres of power and counter-power.
To keep up to date with innovation and new technologies in order to identify emerging trends.
To develop a critical and independent perspective for analysing contemporary society.
To understand human beings through philosophical thought, including different ways of organising society based on moral principles and particular worldviews.
To acquire a basic understanding of journalistic organisations, their structure, the economic context in which they operate, and the legal and ethical framework governing the creation and development of news organisations.
To develop a complex understanding of contemporary societies, recognising the variability of human behaviour across different contexts and the influence and interaction among different human groups.

Syllabus

BLOCK 1. Constitutional Foundations of the Right to Information

The Spanish Constitution and the social and democratic state governed by the rule of law.

Fundamental rights and public freedoms.

Freedom of expression and freedom of information.

The right to communicate and receive information.

The social function of journalism in a democratic society.

Media pluralism and the guarantee of a free public opinion.

BLOCK 2. The Practice of Journalism

Researching, obtaining, processing and disseminating information.

Journalists and the subjects of the right to information.

The constitutional requirement of truthfulness.

Professional diligence, source cross-checking and information verification.

Access to public information and the principle of transparency.

Limits and restrictions on access to information.

BLOCK 3. Legal Limits to 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.

Personal data protection in journalistic activity.

The use of images, data and personal information in news content.

BLOCK 4. Rights, Duties and Safeguards of Information 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 professionals and media organisations.

BLOCK 5. Right of Reply, Liability and Information-Related Disputes

The right of reply.

Correction of errors and updating of news content.

Liability arising from the publication and dissemination of information.

Liability of journalists, editors and news organisations.

Complaint and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Case-law analysis and practical case resolution.

BLOCK 6. Judicial Information and Court Reporting

The basic organisation of the Administration of Justice.

The main jurisdictions and judicial proceedings.

The public nature of judicial proceedings and its limits.

The presumption of innocence and the media treatment of persons under investigation.

Confidentiality of proceedings and the protection of the parties involved.

Journalistic 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 New 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.

The use of third-party content and content originating from social media.

Artificial intelligence applied to 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.

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