Thank you for your interest in Media Law & Policy (MLP)!  Please look below for questions and answers concerning MLP's membership competition.

What is MLP all about?

MLP is dedicated to the advancement and discussion of current topics in the fields of telecommunications, media, and intellectual property law. Founded more than fifteen years ago, over 2,500 readers receive Media Law & Policy including attorneys, business professionals, regulators, and professors around the world. MLP publishes two issues per year, and accepts articles from academics, professionals and regulators, as well as offering an opportunity for students to submit a note for publication. Additionally, MLP publishes in conjunction with the Council of Europe and the Media Center. 

When is the membership competition?

The membership competition for the 2008-2009 year will be held July 1, 2008 through July 25, 2008.

Who can join MLP?

MLP is looking for dedicated, motivated, and interested first-year and second-year day students, as well as first- and second-year evening students to become Staff Editors

What do you have to do in the competition? 

The requirements for the membership competition will be distributed on the date the competition begins, and selection to MLP is based entirely on the materials submitted in the competition.

The competition documents include a fact pattern and an editing assignment.  The fact pattern will be a closed-universe writing assignment in which participants will need to analyze the problem under the given law. MLP editors will judge submissions based on quality of analysis, writing style, and conformity to bluebook citations. Additionally, participants will be required to complete a short editing assignment. We will provide an unedited version of an article for participants to correct. Participants will need to edit both the grammar and fluidity of the article as well as the footnotes.  Both of these assignments should be completed using the latest edition of the Bluebook.

Students must also include a resume and a brief statement of interest (no more than 2 pages). Please note (1) that MLP will use each component of the competition to determine whether or not the participant is invited to join MLP and (2) that neither component is dispositive of membership. MLP understands that most participants have not yet used bluebook, and we will take that into consideration.

Do you get credit for participating in MLP?

Participation in MLP counts for two credits towards graduation for all members who complete the basic requirements.  These requirements include completion of Federal Regulation of Electronic Media, which is offered in the fall semester; and Media Law and Policy Seminar, which is offered in the spring semester.  You must take these classes in the fall and spring immediately proceeding your acceptance to MLP.  There are no exceptions to this rule.

What responsibilities does a Staff Editor have in MLP?

There are two main responsibilities for staff editors: editing duties and administrative duties.

Editing duties include editing grammar, citations and format of assigned articles. Each Staff Editor is required to be familiar with the use of the Bluebook citation system. Editors are given assignments by the Articles Editors and are responsible for completing their assignment by the deadline provided.

Staff Editors are generally given two to three weeks to edit their assigned articles. A second round of edits may be necessary after review by the Articles Editors. The MLP executive board will create a publishing schedule that will allow Articles Editors enough time to complete their assignments at a reasonable pace.

The administrative duties include attending the required bi-monthly meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss progress, difficulties and other topics related to the production of the journal and various events in which MLP may participate. Meetings will be reasonably arranged to accommodate members’ schedules. Although there may be a conflict, it is incumbent on members unable to attend a meeting to apprise themselves of the topics that were discussed.

What other opportunities are available in MLP?

In addition to publishing a journal, MLP also hosted a conference in Spring 2007. This conference examined the technological, statutory, and constitutional issues in the NSA Wire Tapping Programs.  Co-sponsored by the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) and the New York City Bar Sub-Committee on Telecommunications and Media Law, this conference featured academics, scholars and professionals in the field. MLP is in the process of planning its second conference. Those who write on to MLP this summer will also have the opportunity to be involved in this conference.

If you have inquires regarding the membership competition, please contact us at mlp@nyls.edu.