UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — When working in an ever-changing and increasingly fast media landscape, understanding the legal boundaries of public communication is crucial. The Page Center’s latest ethics training module is a free, online guide to navigating the complex world of public relations law with lessons to help communicators make informed, ethical decisions.

The Public Relations Law module builds an understanding of copyright law and its role in planning, creating and disseminating content. It also defines libel and privacy — the most common claims in lawsuits against the media — and explains how cases in these areas have set the parameters for how the First Amendment works in the United States.

The module’s two lessons underscore the importance of ethical communication and legal awareness in public relations. Module creator Eric Robinson, Reid H. Montgomery Freedom of Information Chair and associate professor at the University of South Carolina, says the lessons are not meant to turn students into lawyers. Instead, he hopes they will prepare students to stop and think.

“It's teaching students to recognize what could be problematic and what could lead to problems,” he said. “My goal is for students to think first and then make an informed decision … so they don’t get fired or sued.”

The module provides valuable insights for students and public relations professionals alike. Lesson 1 showcases the essentials of copyright law, emphasizing the importance of understanding ownership rights, fair use, and the limitations on using copyrighted material. Lesson 2 focuses on libel and privacy, exploring how false statements and privacy violations can lead to legal action. It covers key legal principles such as actual malice, intrusion and the right of publicity.

Both lessons feature two cases studies each. Robinson says the real-life examples will help students learn from the mistakes others have made.

“The case studies show you a real-life example, and ask ‘What do you think the results should be?” Robinson said. “And then, it shows you what the courts did.”

Each lesson opens with an overview from Robinson and an introduction to the concepts and questions that are covered. Like other modules, each lesson ends with a quiz. Students who pass both assessments with at least 80% receive a certificate of completion.

To learn more about the Public Relations Law course or the other 15 ethics training modules, visit the Page Center website. Modules are free, scholar-made and completely online.

“Public relations law was a topic we wanted to include in our ethics training for a long time,” said Denise Bortree, Page Center director. “We think it will be a popular one, and we are so happy to have someone with Eric’s expertise offer this important module.”

After working reporter and editor jobs for six years, Robinson earned a juris doctorate from Syracuse University. He then worked several government, media law and policy positions at locations across the country, including the New York State Supreme Court and the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media in Reno, Nevada. Robinson earned his doctorate from Louisiana State University in 2016. He authored or contributed to books on cyber law and ethics, media law and internet law.

The Page Center

The Page Center’s ethics training modules include 16 public relations-based modules covering ethical decision-making, digital ethics, crisis communication, and many more important topics. The modules provide professors and students with a free way to incorporate hands-on public relations learning into the classroom. More than 15,000 students from around the world have registered, and more than 35,000 certificates have been earned. 

Visit the Page Center website to register or to learn more.

Since its founding in 2004, the Page Center has become an international leader in research on ethics and integrity in public communication. Over the past 20 years, the center has funded nearly 300 scholars and awarded nearly $1 million in research funding.