Media Law School, hosted by the University of South Carolina College of Information and Communications in cooperation with the Joseph F. Rice School of Law, and sponsored by the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation, provides 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.

The curriculum for the two-day workshop typically covers:

• An introduction to our system of courts and judges.
• Substantive overview of most common criminal offenses.
• Evidence and objections.
• Basic concepts of due process, equal protection.
• Panel discussion by state and federal prosecutors and defenders.
• Understanding lawyer and judicial ethical obligations.
• Panel discussion on civil trials.
• Introduction to the law of intellectual property.
• Basics of media law, including libel, invasion of privacy, privilege and access.
• Guest speakers on special topics.