In reporting on many important issues, journalists are frequently required to understand
key legal questions and are called upon to describe accurately the developments in
sometimes complex legal proceedings. Unfortunately, lawyers and judges involved in
the case are not always available or willing to provide the necessary information
needed by members of the media, allowing them to fully understand or explain the significance
of certain legal aspects in a story they are covering. That's where the Media Law
School can help.
The 2019 Media Law School, hosted by the University of South Carolina School of Law and College of Information and Communications, and sponsored by the American Board of Trial Advocates, will provide selected journalists with the opportunity to develop a better understanding
of the key stages of civil and criminal proceedings and to learn enough basic law
to report accurately on many important issues in the news.
From September 18–21, 2019, approximately two dozen journalists who are selected as Media Law School Fellows
will not only receive instruction from law professors and experienced lawyers, but they will have an opportunity to
interact with and ask questions freely of the instructors.
Best of all, Fellows can receive this training at little to no cost. There is no
registration fee, and Fellows will receive a $400 travel allowance and three nights
lodging at Graduate Columbia(formerly the Inn at USC). Classes will be held at the School of Law (1525 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina
29208), within walking distance of the Inn on the campus of the University of South
Carolina.