Electronic Media Law

Even though the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants freedom of speech and freedom of the press, laws and regulations governing media frequently evolve as the media themselves do. As a result, it is often a challenge to keep pace with new laws and regulations.

Electronic Media Law is a comprehensive, up-to-date textbook on the constantly changing and often complex world of electronic media law. Author Roger L. Sadler examines the laws, regulations, and court rulings affecting broadcasting, cable, satellite, and cyberspace. The book also looks at cases from the print media and general First Amendment law, because they often contain important concepts that are relevant to the electronic media.

Electronic Media Law is written for mass media students, not for future lawyers, so the text is straightforward and explains “legalese.” The author covers First Amendment law, political broadcasting rules, broadcast content regulations, FCC rules for station operations, cable regulation, media ownership rules, media liability lawsuits, intrusive newsgathering methods, media restrictions during wartime, libel, privacy, copyright, advertising law, freedom of information, cameras in the court, and privilege.

Key Features

Provides an easy-to-use format of chapter categories and sections that facilitate research on individual topics
Frequently Asked Questions highlight important points from cases
Explains complex, legal concepts in basic terms that give students the foundation for further studies in electronic media law

Author Biography

Dr. Roger L. Sadler is a full professor in the Department of Communication-Broadcasting at Western Illinois University in Macomb.  He has been at WIU since 1990.  Before that, he was an associate instructor at Indiana University and an instructor at the University of Central Oklahoma.   He has a BA in Communications/English from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri, and PhD in Mass Communication from Indiana University.      

Dr. Sadler has worked in the broadcasting field since 1979 when he got his first on-air job at his hometown radio station in Gouverneur, New York.  Since then, he has worked as a DJ, producer, news reporter, news anchor, and faculty adviser at more than a dozen radio and TV stations in New York, Missouri, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Illinois.  Presently, he is a weekend DJ on WJEQ-FM in Macomb, Illinois and works during the summer months as a news reporter for WQAD-TV in Moline, Illinois.