Mass Communication Law in a Nutshell satisfies the need for a basic text in communication law, not only for law students but for journalism and communication students as well. Highlights of the Eighth Edition of the popular book include a discussion of Hulk Hogan’s successful lawsuit against Gawker for public disclosure of private facts, the right to be forgotten (or “erased”) in Europe, and numerous social media issues, including cyberstalking, catfishing, trolling, doxing, swatting, posting threats on Facebook and access to President Trump’s tweets. Further highlights include the USA FREEDOM Act, the Supreme Court’s expansion of exemption 4 of FOIA, First Amendment limits on denials of trademark registration, the Broadcast Spectrum Auction, and the continuing battle over net neutrality.
Former Head of the Law Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication as well as of the Law and Policy Division of the Broadcast Education Association, Professor Carter is a practicing attorney specializing in communication law and new communication technologies. He also coordinates the JD/MS in Mass Communication dual degree program and teaches courses in communication law and telecommunication regulation at the Boston University School of Law. He has co-authored three textbooks: The First Amendment and the Fourth Estate, The First Amendment and the Fifth Estate and Mass Communication Law in a Nutshell. He has also written articles and book chapters on libel, media access, free press/fair trial, obscenity, regulation of new communication technologies, the Patriot Act and rights protection for computer software.