Communications Law
(First Edition)
©2026, 356 pages
Paperback list price: $109.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $92.95
You save $17 (15%)
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Designed to engage rather than intimidate, this textbook helps students grasp where laws governing communication come from, how they have evolved, and how constitutional principles influence today’s legal landscape. Real-life cases that shaped American history and communications law bring abstract concepts to life, offering concrete examples that deepen understanding.
Written by a trial lawyer and former journalist in plain, approachable language, Communications Law equips students with the foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to navigate the complex world of communications law. It’s an essential text for understanding the history, principles, statutes, and precedents that guide today’s communication industry in the United States.
Michael G. Walsh is an adjunct faculty member at Grand Valley State University, where he teaches communications law. He holds a doctorate in law from Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School and an M.L.S. in journalism-law from the University of Oklahoma.
Cognella Active Learning is available for this title! Adopting instructors can provide students with dynamic online learning activities that reinforce key concepts from the text, provide engaging educational experiences, and support various learning styles.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for Communications Law includes:
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for Communications Law includes:
- 12 decks of digital flashcards
- 12 chapter quizzes
- Video and audio resources
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
Publisher Direct Versions — Available through the Cognella Student Store for confirmed adoptions |
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$92.95
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Publisher Direct Ebook | Publisher Direct ebooks are available in your Cognella account immediately after purchase and provide access for 180 days. Our ebooks run on VitalSource and RedShelf with perpetual/annual options available. |
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$99.95
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Publisher Direct Paperback | These special, discounted paperback editions are sold exclusively through the Cognella Student Store (store.cognella.com) for confirmed adoptions. They are not available through other retailers. The books are printed on demand, do not have an ISBN, and are not intended for resale, which results in savings we pass along to students. Most Publisher Direct Paperbacks also come with free, immediate access to the first 30% of the ebook and shipping included. |
| $34.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning | Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Free with purchase of textbook or ebook. |
Higher Education Bookstore Pricing — These suggested retail prices include a total projected mark-up of 25% |
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Inclusive Access Available!
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Ebook 979-8-2997-0629-1 |
We partner with VitalSource, Kortext, and RedShelf to provide day-one access to students through campus bookstores. Bookstores and these vendors share in the total projected mark-up. Learn more about Inclusive Access at cognella.com/inclusive-access. Contact us for details. |
| $109.95 | Paperback 979-8-8233-0340-8 |
Standard paperback version. Contact us for course adoptions; also available for individual purchase through national wholesalers and retailers — and from our website directly — see Purchase button above. |
| $109.95 | Paperback + Cognella Active Learning Code 979-8-8233-8506-0 |
Cognella Active Learning provides students with dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Access codes are available with print books or ebooks. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
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| Other Formats Talk to a rep for details |
Other formats (perforated, hardcover, etc.) may be available. Contact us for course adoptions; specialty formats are not available for individual purchase. | |
| $34.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning Talk to a rep for ISBN details |
Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Does not include the ebook. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
Adopting instructors will receive test banks and PowerPoints.
"Professor Walsh most definitely attained his goals of writing a textbook in plain English and in a way that attempts to overcome the intimidating and fear factor associated with law courses. […] The engagement for Chapter 1 was wonderful. Also, the examples given were great. […] I like the continual use of modern-day examples to illustrate the points of the various chapters."
Mike Igoe, State University of New York at Fredonia
"I absolutely loved this book. THIS is the book I want to teach for my classes. It covers all of the information I already cover in my class as well as adds timely, relevant cases. Additionally, it doesn’t read like an academic work. It’s conversational. It’s easy for students to read, and with media law, that’s exactly what they need. […] I think students become intimidated at the thought of learning media law, and this humanized it and made it seem more relatable. I loved how in-depth the case explanations went. These are absolutely fascinating cases, and the author covered them well. […] I love the pop culture references and examples given. Very relevant and timely. I loved the writing style the most about this text. I don’t think I’ve read a media law text that was so easily understandable, humorous when appropriate, and covered everything that I need. THIS is the book I’ve been looking for."
Judith P. Roberts, Louisiana Tech University
"… Definitely ripped from the headlines, and this is really refreshing and useful. […] I would describe the writing style as accessible, casual, even breezy, with a clear goal of cutting through the fog of legal jargon."
Brian Carroll, Berry College
"I enjoyed the humor in it; [it] is easy to understand and used great cases. […] The book has great examples that will help readers understand the issues. The author’s writing style is relatable, funny, and engaging. I appreciated the effort to make historical information engaging and to help one understand why these laws exist. An enlightening and easy to read book on the laws and challenges to speech in the United States."
Aje-Ori Agbese, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Mike Igoe, State University of New York at Fredonia
"I absolutely loved this book. THIS is the book I want to teach for my classes. It covers all of the information I already cover in my class as well as adds timely, relevant cases. Additionally, it doesn’t read like an academic work. It’s conversational. It’s easy for students to read, and with media law, that’s exactly what they need. […] I think students become intimidated at the thought of learning media law, and this humanized it and made it seem more relatable. I loved how in-depth the case explanations went. These are absolutely fascinating cases, and the author covered them well. […] I love the pop culture references and examples given. Very relevant and timely. I loved the writing style the most about this text. I don’t think I’ve read a media law text that was so easily understandable, humorous when appropriate, and covered everything that I need. THIS is the book I’ve been looking for."
Judith P. Roberts, Louisiana Tech University
"… Definitely ripped from the headlines, and this is really refreshing and useful. […] I would describe the writing style as accessible, casual, even breezy, with a clear goal of cutting through the fog of legal jargon."
Brian Carroll, Berry College
"I enjoyed the humor in it; [it] is easy to understand and used great cases. […] The book has great examples that will help readers understand the issues. The author’s writing style is relatable, funny, and engaging. I appreciated the effort to make historical information engaging and to help one understand why these laws exist. An enlightening and easy to read book on the laws and challenges to speech in the United States."
Aje-Ori Agbese, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
