The Law Society Diploma Centre will launch its free 2023 Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) tomorrow (30 May), on the highly-topical theme of social media law.

The opening address will be delivered by Law Society Director General, Mark Garrett.

Week one features barrister and media expert Micheal O’Doherty, who gives an introduction to social-media law and regulation.

Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, examines online safety and media regulation, while David Kerrigan, technology analyst, author and speaker on emerging technologies, will shine a light on ChatGPT, AI, and the future of social media.

Topics and speakers

• Content moderation: Siobhan Cummiskey, Director of Content Policy, Meta,
• Freedom of speech and defamation online: Dr Eoin O’Dell (associate professor, School of Law, Trinity College Dublin),
• Social media and the courts: Daniel Coady (solicitor and principal privacy counsel, RTÉ),
• Privacy online: Kate Colleary (director Pembroke Privacy, IAPP country leader Ireland),
• Hate speech, harassment and trolling:  Andrea Martin (consultant, Media Lawyer Solicitors), 
• The rise of disinformation/fake news: Ciarán O’Connor (senior analyst, Institute for Strategic Dialogue Global).

Explore the MOOC timetable

There are seven CPD points available for completing this MOOC.

The course starts tomorrow (30 May), runs over a five-week period, and all content is recorded and available to view on playback, so sign up now!