In the Information Age, the interface between 'the law' and 'the media' becomes a battleground between the fundamental right of free speech and other fundamental rights, such as the right to a fair trial (as opposed to 'trial by media'), privacy, and the right to reputation etc. This unit examines how the law applies in the context of 'the media'. In particular, it examines: the law of defamation; court reporting and contempt of court; reporting parliaments and restrictions on Government material; offensive publications; privacy and breach of confidence, and media complaint mechanisms such as that available through the Australian Press Council.