The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication 7th Edition

Why This Book Matters

Navigating the complex intersection of media, law, and ethics is one of the greatest challenges facing modern journalists and communicators. From defamation and privacy rights to copyright and freedom of information, the legal landscape shifts constantly. Without a solid grounding in media law, professionals risk costly mistakes, ethical breaches, and legal liability. The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication delivers the authoritative, up-to-date framework you need to understand and apply the rules that govern the media industry.

About The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication 7th Edition

The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication, Seventh Edition (2020) is a comprehensive textbook authored by Susan Dente Ross, Amy Reynolds, and Robert Trager and published by CQ Press. It provides a lively, accessible, and thorough introduction to media law designed specifically for students and aspiring professional communicators. The book covers every major area of media law, including the First Amendment, libel, privacy, copyright, advertising regulation, and broadcast rules, using real-world examples and landmark cases to bring legal principles to life.

This edition has been fully updated to reflect recent Supreme Court decisions, changes in digital media regulation, and emerging issues around social media, online speech, and data privacy. It is widely adopted in journalism, mass communication, and media studies programs across the United States.

Who Should Read This Book?

This book is essential for anyone who creates, distributes, or manages content in a professional capacity. It is specifically designed for:

• Journalism and mass communication students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate media law courses
• Working journalists and editors who need a reliable legal reference to avoid libel, invasion of privacy, or copyright infringement
• Public relations and advertising professionals who must navigate regulatory and ethical boundaries in campaigns and messaging
• Media lawyers and paralegals seeking a clear, structured overview of U.S. media law
• Social media managers and digital content creators dealing with issues of free speech, defamation, and intellectual property online

Skills You Will Gain

This textbook equips you with actionable legal knowledge across six critical domains:

• First Amendment Foundations — Understand the core principles of free speech and press, including the history and evolving interpretation of the First Amendment
• Defamation Law — Learn the elements of libel and slander, actual malice standards, and defenses available to media defendants
• Privacy Rights — Master the four privacy torts (intrusion, public disclosure, false light, and appropriation) and how they apply to modern reporting
• Copyright and Intellectual Property — Navigate fair use, copyright infringement, and protection of creative works in the digital age
• Regulation of Advertising and Commercial Speech — Identify legal boundaries for marketing, including FTC guidelines and rules for deceptive advertising
• Broadcast, Cable, and Internet Regulation — Grasp the legal framework governing electronic media, including indecency rules, spectrum allocation, and net neutrality

Why This Book Stands Out

While other media law textbooks can be dry, dense, or outdated, this Seventh Edition stands apart for several reasons. First, the authors — Ross, Reynolds, and Trager — are recognized scholars and educators with decades of combined experience in media law and communication. Their writing style is engaging and student-friendly, using contemporary case studies and hypotheticals that make abstract legal concepts concrete.

Second, the book is comprehensive yet structured. Each chapter opens with clear learning objectives, includes margin definitions of key terms, and closes with review questions and exercises. This pedagogical design helps readers retain information and apply it in real-world scenarios.

Third, the 2020 edition incorporates the most recent legal developments, including Supreme Court rulings on social media, privacy, and defamation that older editions lack. Competing texts often lag behind by several years, leaving readers with incomplete or outdated information.

Author & Publisher Credentials

The credibility of The Law of Journalism and Mass Communication rests on the expertise of its authors and the reputation of its publisher. Susan Dente Ross is a professor of English at Washington State University and a former journalist with deep knowledge of media law and diversity issues. Amy Reynolds is a professor and dean of the College of Communication and Information at Kent State University, bringing administrative and scholarly perspective. Robert Trager (now deceased) was a professor emeritus at the University of Colorado Boulder and a leading figure in media law education for decades.

CQ Press, an imprint of SAGE Publishing, is a trusted name in academic publishing, known for producing authoritative textbooks and reference works in political science, communication, and journalism. The combination of distinguished authors and a reputable academic publisher ensures that the content is accurate, balanced, and rigorously reviewed.

Final Assessment

For students and professionals who need a reliable, current, and readable guide to media law, this book is an outstanding investment. It covers the breadth of the field without sacrificing depth, and its pedagogical features make it suitable for both classroom use and self-study. The Seventh Edition’s inclusion of recent legal developments ensures that you are learning the law as it stands today, not as it was five or ten years ago.

If you are preparing for a career in journalism, public relations, advertising, or any communication field that touches on legal issues, this textbook is not just helpful — it is essential. The cost of legal ignorance in media work far exceeds the price of this book.

Get Your Copy Today

Whether you are a student tackling your first media law course or a professional seeking to update your legal knowledge, this Seventh Edition delivers everything you need. With clear explanations, up-to-date cases, and practical examples, it is the most effective tool available for understanding the legal environment of modern communication. Add to cart now and gain the legal literacy that sets successful communicators apart. Published by CQ Press in 2020, this is the edition trusted by universities nationwide.