Legal Issues in Digital Research and Journalism

This program will survey the legal issues that can arise for digital researchers and journalists. It will particularly address computer crimes laws such as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and platform terms of service that can limit common data journalism techniques, such as scraping. The program will discuss the most common legal barriers that can inhibit data journalism and research, outline the current state of the law, and provide guidance on how the law might develop.  

This program is aimed at those who advise journalists, researchers, or others who engage in platform and website accountability research. It will also be of interest to those whose practice involves the interpretation of computer crimes laws and the enforceability of online terms of service. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the major legal issues that can inhibit data journalism and research 

2. Examine developments in computer crimes and other laws that are relevant to those engaged in data journalism and research

3. Provide guidance on how to interpret computer crimes laws and how to assess the enforceability of platform terms of service