Media Law

2nd Edition of Media Law by Jyoti Rattan offers a comprehensive study of the legal framework governing media in India, covering print, electronic, digital, and advertising media. The book examines constitutional principles, statutory regulations, and judicial interpretations that shape media functioning, responsibility, and accountability. Updated to include recent legislative developments, it serves as an authoritative text on media rights, restrictions, and regulatory mechanisms under Indian law.

Key Features:

• Detailed analysis of media trial, freedom of press, privacy, parliamentary privileges, and contempt of court
• Separate treatment of civil and criminal defamation, sedition, obscenity, and related offences
• Exhaustive coverage of the Press Council Act, 1978, including its powers, functions, and limitations
• In-depth discussion on film regulation under the Cinematograph Act, including the 2023 Amendment and Rules, 2024
• Comprehensive treatment of broadcast regulation through the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990
• Practical exposition of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1994, with offences and penalties
• Focused chapter on digital media, intermediaries, and the Information Technology Act, 2000
• Insightful analysis of the Right to Information regime and its intersection with media
• Dedicated unit on advertising law, including misleading advertisements and the role of ASCI

This book is intended for law students, journalism and mass communication students, legal practitioners, media professionals, academicians, and candidates preparing for judicial services and other competitive examinations involving media and constitutional law.

Unit 1: Media and Media Trial
Chapter 1: Media
Chapter 2: Freedom of the Media / Press
Chapter 3: Media and Issues Related to Privacy
Chapter 4: Media and Parliamentary Privileges
Chapter 5: Media & Torts: Defamation
Chapter 6: Media & Criminal Law: Defamation
Chapter 7: Media & Criminal Law: Sedition
Chapter 8: Media & Criminal Law: Obscenity
Chapter 9: Media & Contempt of Court
Chapter 10: Media Trial
Unit 2: The Press Council Act, 1978
Chapter 1: Preliminary
Chapter 2: Establishment of the Press Council
Chapter 3: Powers and Functions of the Council
Chapter 4: Miscellaneous
Unit 3: The Cinematograph Act, 1952
Chapter 1: Preliminary
Chapter 2: Certification of Films for Public Exhibitions
Chapter 3: Regulation of Exhibitions by Means of Cinematographs
Chapter 4: The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 & Rules, 2024
Chapter 5: Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990
Chapter 6: Regulation of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India)
Chapter 7: Assets, Finances, and Accounts of Prasar Bharati
Chapter 8: Miscellaneous
Unit 4: The Cable Television Networks Act, 1994
Chapter 1: Preliminary
Chapter 2: Regulation of Cable Television Networks
Chapter 3: Seizure and Confiscation of Certain Equipment
Chapter 4: Offences and Penalties
Unit 5: The Digital Media and the Information Technology Act
Chapter 1: Intermediaries, Digital Media, and the Information Technology Act, 2000
Unit 6: RTI & Media
Chapter 1: Right to Information: International and National Scenario
Chapter 2: Right to Information Law in India
Unit 7: Advertisements in India
Chapter 1: Advertisements and Media
Chapter 2: Media and False, Misleading, and Unfair Advertisements in India
Chapter 3: The Advertising Standards Council of India, 1985