Sumários
Censorship 2
6 Abril 2016, 12:00 • David Alan Prescott
Analysis of second text from the anthology of photocopies on the subject of press censorship. Particular emphasis on the 1734 ruing in a New York Colony court that "truth is an absolute defense against libel", a legal condition that has become the most important aspect of press freedom in Britain and (later) the United States ever since. Reminding of other issues that have been mentioned over the semester and which may be involved in the tests next week.
Censorship 1
4 Abril 2016, 12:00 • David Alan Prescott
First analysis of the two texts in my workbook on the issue of censorship and the difficulties entailed in carrying out control or monitoring of the media, particularly today.
Presentation of the Gore Vidal "Myron" novel in which Gore Vidal avoids causing offence by using the names of the US Supreme Court judges in the places where possibly offensive words might exist.
Due to the unexpected issue of the "Panama Papers" being leaked and revealed on the previous day, students were alerted to the fact that this might make up one of the subjects for the coming comprehension exercise in class.
The Streisand Effect and Twitter
30 Março 2016, 12:00 • David Alan Prescott
Reading of text about confidentiality and the right to privacy. Specific approach to this subject involved explaining the so-called Streisand Effect and the new challenges facing protection of privacy when truth or allegations are posted on Twitter.
Explanation of some of the language around Twitter, including a look at the book Twitterature (Penguin 2009), by Alexander Aciman and Emmett Rensin, which, among other things, explains some of the language used on Twitter and other such media, like BFF, BTW, ROFL, MILF (OMG!) and others.
Superinjunctions
28 Março 2016, 12:00 • David Alan Prescott
Analysis of text on the so-called "Superinjunctions" used in English and Welsh law after application of European Union rules on "right to privacy". Conflict between "right to privacy" and freedom of speech and freedom of the press.