FAU law students discuss law through media

This episode explores the role of the law in Jimmy McGill’s life in Better Call Saul, analyzing his moral struggles and legal career.

Hosts Philipp and Paul focus on Jimmy’s reinstatement hearing, where his seemingly heartfelt speech about the law is rejected due to his history of unethical behaviour. They discuss his early idealism, the influence of his brother Chuck, and his transformation into the morally ambiguous Saul Goodman. The episode highlights his conflicts with Chuck’s partner in the law firm, Howard Hamlin, his manipulative tendencies, and his inability to separate his conman instincts from his legal practice. Ultimately, the discussion concerns itself with the entire legal system, reflecting Jimmy's internal struggle.

In this episode, Marleen and Nathi explore The Reader by Bernhard Schlink and its film adaptation, diving deeply into the complex layers of guilt, responsibility, and historical memory. They discuss the novel’s narrative structure, the key themes of justice and morality, and how they translate onto the screen. What can this story teach us about collective and personal guilt?

July 2024. A historical judgment shakes the USA and the world. The United States Supreme Court decides on Donald Trump’s immunity.

This judgment, its predecessor, the situations leading up to them, and their consequences are discussed in detail by Martin and Wiktoria in this episode.

In this episode, Lena and Philipp discuss the impact of Donald Trump’s conviction in the Hush Money Case and how both the media and the public reacted to the verdict. We explore how Trump strategically leveraged his legal troubles as a key part of his election campaign, turning the trial into a political tool. Join us as we break down the intersection of law, politics, and media in one of the most unprecedented moments in U.S. history and analyze the broader implications for American politics and justice.

If knowledge is power, then misinformation is kryptonite

Dive into the world of mis- and disinformation to see what happens when the pen and the sword team up to become a most dangerous weapon. From Covid 19 to advancing AI, Aisling and Joos inform their listeners about everything they didn’t know they didn’t know.

A debate about the use of AI in the legal system in respect of current possibilities in the USA, the UK and Germany, its potential development and ethical problems.

As one of the hottest topics in IT and the legal field, AI opens up new possibilities for many involved in the law, whilst also creating novel and unforeseen problems. In this episode, Michael and Simon discuss the advantages of the increasing use of AI and its possible downsides, and present current applications in the USA, the UK and Germany.

The War in Ukraine is one of the most documented conflicts in history.

Everyone can create footage with the help of smartphones and share it with the world in real time by uploading it to social media. While this can help to shed light on potential war crimes being committed, it also creates a challenge as manipulated footage can be used for propagandistic purposes.

In this episode, Rüdiger and Sebastian talk about how social media can be and has been used during the war. They discuss how to differentiate between truthful posts and fake news and show the risks of manipulated content. They also also demonstrate how social media can be used to prosecute war criminals and explain how perpetrators can be tried in Germany using the principle of universal jurisdiction.

In the final episode of this series, Sascha and Sophia explore the accuracy of courtroom dramas and their impact on public perception of the legal system. This episode takes a deeper look into the courtroom genre, highlighting common legal stereotypes and contrasting them with real courtroom practices.

One important aspect is the so-called CSI Effect, which may influence jurors due to the importance attached to forensic evidence in crime dramas.

The discussion concludes with key takeaways on how courtroom dramas can shape our understanding of the legal system.