Teacher(s)
Language
French
Content
The course will outline the main legal, professional and ethical rules applicable to digital communication, taking as its starting point freedom of expression and the public’s right to information (particularly on the internet and social media) and the possible restrictions arising from the rights of third parties (image rights and online reputation, personal data protection, intellectual property). The course will also cover the regulation of audiovisual content and self-regulation in the areas of journalistic ethics and advertising.
Teaching methods
The various themes will be addressed on the basis of practical case studies which will identify the applicable legal and/or ethical principles. A group discussion will then be initiated on how to interpret and apply these principles in different factual situations. Frequent links are made between the subjects covered, as well as with current events, so that students learn to develop a critical interpretation and argument in relation to the legal and ethical issues put before them.
In order to make the course as interactive as possible and to help them prepare for the material covered, students will be invited each week to read and analyse one or two case law decisions, opinions issued by self-regulatory bodies or contractual documents, or to work on practical cases. This work will not be assessed. They will also be free to submit practical cases or topical issues for group discussion. Theoretical aspects will be presented ex cathedra by the teacher, alternating with group discussion and analysis sessions.
In order to make the course as interactive as possible and to help them prepare for the material covered, students will be invited each week to read and analyse one or two case law decisions, opinions issued by self-regulatory bodies or contractual documents, or to work on practical cases. This work will not be assessed. They will also be free to submit practical cases or topical issues for group discussion. Theoretical aspects will be presented ex cathedra by the teacher, alternating with group discussion and analysis sessions.
Evaluation methods
Individual written examination consisting of practical cases to be analysed in the form of questions (mostly open-ended) and sub-questions. Students are assessed on their ability to identify and understand the legal and/or ethical issues raised, as well as on their capacity for critical thinking and reasoning when applying their theoretical knowledge to the specific cases presented to them. To pass the exam, students must achieve a mark of 10/20 or higher (based on the total of the marks obtained for the various questions). The second-session exam will take the same form and will be assessed according to the same criteria as the first-session exam.
Use of generative AI
The use of generative AI tools is strictly prohibited during the examination, as is the use of any tools, resources, materials or documentation other than those made available by the teacher.
However, its use is permitted for coursework, provided that it is explicitly acknowledged (specifying the tool used and the nature of its use) and that it is always subject to verification and personal assimilation by the student.
All work must be original. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the rules and best practices regarding citation and referencing.
Use of generative AI
The use of generative AI tools is strictly prohibited during the examination, as is the use of any tools, resources, materials or documentation other than those made available by the teacher.
However, its use is permitted for coursework, provided that it is explicitly acknowledged (specifying the tool used and the nature of its use) and that it is always subject to verification and personal assimilation by the student.
All work must be original. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the rules and best practices regarding citation and referencing.
Other information
Attendance / Absence from classes
Students’ attendance and active participation in classes is strongly encouraged but not compulsory.
Students’ attendance and active participation in classes is strongly encouraged but not compulsory.
Online resources
All the course materials (syllabus, PowerPoint presentations and handouts) are available on Moodle.
Bibliography
Buyle, J-P. et al. (2014). Les réseaux sociaux et le droit. Bruxelles : Larcier. Carneroli, S. (2013).
Les aspects juridiques des réseaux sociaux. Brugge : Vanden Broele. Conseil de la Publicité (2013).
Réglementation et contrôle de la publicité (8ème éd.). Docquir, B. et al. (2015).
Actualités en droits intellectuels – L’intérêt de la comparaison. Bruxelles : Bruylant. Isgour, M. (2014).
Les droits intellectuels en 2026: défis et opportunités. Limal, Anthemis. F. Lejeune, P.-Y. Thoumsin et al. (2026).
Le droit à l’image (2ème éd.). Bruxelles : Larcier. Mouffe, B. (2009).
Le droit de la publicité (3ème éd.). Bruxelles : Bruylant. Ragheno, N. et al. (2017).
Data protection & Privacy – Le GDPR dans la pratique. Limal : Anthemis. S
Les aspects juridiques des réseaux sociaux. Brugge : Vanden Broele. Conseil de la Publicité (2013).
Réglementation et contrôle de la publicité (8ème éd.). Docquir, B. et al. (2015).
Actualités en droits intellectuels – L’intérêt de la comparaison. Bruxelles : Bruylant. Isgour, M. (2014).
Les droits intellectuels en 2026: défis et opportunités. Limal, Anthemis. F. Lejeune, P.-Y. Thoumsin et al. (2026).
Le droit à l’image (2ème éd.). Bruxelles : Larcier. Mouffe, B. (2009).
Le droit de la publicité (3ème éd.). Bruxelles : Bruylant. Ragheno, N. et al. (2017).
Data protection & Privacy – Le GDPR dans la pratique. Limal : Anthemis. S
Faculty or entity
