Digital Media Law: Rights, Rules, and Regulations in the Age of AI

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From privacy to piracy and free speech to fair use, the digital world has upended legal issues in media and communication. This textbook explores the evolving legal landscape where digital media and AI intersect, offering crucial insights into copyright, data privacy, ethics, and regulatory frameworks shaping the media industrys future.
Covering everything from foundational newsgathering rights to the constraints and protections shaping professional reporting, Digital Media Law addresses the complexities facing todays media in an era of rapid digital transformation.
Readers examine landmark cases, real-world examples, and critical debates that underscore the most pressing issues, including freedom of expression, AI-driven decision-making, privacy concerns, and the legal implications of emerging technologies like deepfakes. The book also delves into the significant ethical failures that have marred media and journalism in the past, offering lessons for today's professionals. As social media redefines the public square, this text examines the regulation of online speech, challenges to mental health, and global differences in speech regulation, highlighting the clash between U.S. free speech values and foreign controls.
The book sheds light on the dual role of digital technology in promoting transparency and enhancing audience engagement while presenting new ethical challenges for decision-making. With thematic chapters on First Amendment rights, defamation, copyright and trademarks, and Section 230 of the Community Decency Act, Digital Media Law is structured for both academic and practical use, making it ideal for students, journalists, legal professionals, and media enthusiasts interested in the legal intricacies of the digital age.

Reviews

A conversation that we ought to be having! A timely and much-needed discussion on the legal and ethical concerns revolving around the rapidly changing digital media landscape. As social media platforms, AI, and blockchain technologies are redefining the field of communication and transforming industries, established legal frameworks need to be re-evaluated, revised, and made future-proof. Reinforced by compelling examples and recent legal cases and policy debates, Michael Jones ambitious book offers insightful and well-argued reflections and puts forth solutions for navigating uncharted legal challenges posed by the rapid evolution of technology. With its compelling narratives and accessible writing, the book stands to benefit anyone whether you are an academic, policymaker, legal professional, student, or simply just curious. -- Pavel Romaniko, director, Digital Media Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell
Michael E. Jones' Digital Media Law offers a concise, authoritative exploration of the legal and ethical challenges posed by AI in digital media. As one of the world's leading experts in the field, with over 40 years of experience in intellectual property and media law, Jones provides clear insights into pressing issues like privacy, misinformation, censorship, AI-generated content, defamation, freedom of speech, and ethical dilemmas. Blending rigorous scholarship with accessible writing, this essential guide equips professionals, educators, and students to address the evolving digital landscape with confidence. Jones's extensive experience as a legal advisor to creative professionals, coupled with his extensive lecturing and teaching engagements worldwide, ensures that this book reflects the real-world complexities of navigating the legal and ethical minefields of the digital age. -- Bob Korn, digital print master for photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, Richard Avedon, Gregory Heisler, and Jay Maisel
With a liberal outlook and a depth of expertise, Jones navigates the evolving relationship between AI and digital media, providing clear, authoritative insights into the legal and ethical challenges of our time. His ability to synthesize knowledge from diverse fields makes him uniquely qualified to address the pressing questions that will shape the future of law, technology, and creativity. -- Rowland Sherman, photojournalist and Grammy Award winner for the Bob Dylan Greatest Hits album

Author Bio

Michael E. Jones, a distinguished professor of sports, entertainment, media, and art law, has dedicated over 35 years to educating the next generation of lawyers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Law School, University of Massachusetts. His expertise in intellectual property rights, particularly those affecting artists and cultural institutions, has earned him international recognition as a leading scholar and practitioner in the field.