COM257: Ethics and intelectual property rights / Faculty of Communication and Media Studies

This course addresses two important components in the study of media: ethics and intellectual property rights. Information technology has profound social consequences, both good and bad. Because it has permeated every aspect of human life, it is imperative that all quarters in society take heed of the social and ethical impacts of information technology. The media, be it print, electronic or social media, have posed various ethical problems, dilemmas, controversies and violations, thus compelling everyone - from private citizens to policy makers, media professionals, leaders of business and industry and the academe – to take an interest in media and the ethical implications. This course will introduce students to media ethical principles and issues relating to concepts like freedom, truth, honesty and privacy. Closely related to media ethics is the concern for intellectual property rights which have seen various violations in this era of information explosion. Four main ethical issues that usually arise with respect to information technology are privacy, accuracy, property and access. Understanding intellectual property issues, for example, digital piracy and illicit copying, will enable students to use the media more responsibly and ethically.