Yep. I recognize that probably very few of you are going to run to the library to pick up this book, but I'll write the review anyway. My work involves documenting the intellectual property in the products that the Church Audiovisual Department distributes. My boss suggested that I read this book to get a broader view of media law.
Contrary to expectations, I actually enjoyed it. Overall, the book was much more readable than I anticipated. Each of the chapters were supplemented with effective summary sections and example contracts for participant releases, music agreements, etc. It was interesting to compare the contracts that mainstream media uses with those that the Church uses. The book emphasizes the importance of these contracts and getting everything in writing...I wish our producers would do this more often. It would sure make my job easier.
I was already familiar with much of the material in the book, but I did pick up a few new bits of knowledge here and there. The discussions on libel and public figure look-a-likes were intriguing. I also enjoyed the section on the Fairness Doctrine which was established in 1949 by the Federal Communication Commission. This doctrine requires that both sides of controversial issues be discussed (equal time) in public broadcasts. This hasn't really been enforced since the Reagan era, but some people think this might change during the Obama presidency. Ironically, Doug Fabrizio recently addressed this topic on Radio West on 1/5/09. You can download the radio broadcast from KUER 90.1's website at http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news/news.newsmain?action=section&SECTION_ID=184.
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