Today, social media has transformed our means of communications. It provides an instant and continuing flow of information that can be published and shared, making many of its users a publisher of sorts. And most without any understanding of copyright laws. With the increasing advancements of a person’s accessibility to social media platforms, studies have shown that users, without even knowing it, are committing plagiarism through the copying of another person’s work and posting it as their own creation, not even having realised that they have breached an ethical code of practice when it comes to somebodies creation. If you don’t already know, copyright is automatic on any original piece of work. It requires no legal registration and is not considered essential for any new work created. An owner of any work, whether it be a song, a writing piece, a poem or piece of art, is automatically considered without copyright registration, as the only person entitled to publish, communicate or alter the work in anyway shape or form. Should another individual wish to use the work, whether for publication, digital media or communication, they must seek permission from the creator in order to use the work. Understanding the new media environment of today is not just a matter of knowing the new technology being introduced, but understanding in how they alter our society through both digital and social media when it comes to copyright laws. So where does that leave our society today, in a culture developed around the principles of sharing, posting and commenting in the social media environment? The mind boggles at how you can control such an environment in cyberspace with copyright laws! Be mindful of what you are posting on social media, as even providing details of who is to be credited for someone’s work or sharing a link to someone’s webpage does not avoid copyright law. Outside of the use of somebodies work, your own copyright protection is also under threat. When you create an account for Facebook, Twitter or Instagram you are agreeing to allowing your work to be published and used by many. Allowing many people to share your work, use your photos and even claim it as their own. Outside of the seriousness however, there are many creators happy to see their work shared, posted and commented on without having their permission always sought, as it increases their exposure, providing free marketing without the heavy costs of publication fees. Professional media practitioners are also subject to the same laws as are all other citizens. Everyone who publishes on any media platform needs to be mindful of the potential to defame or breach contempt laws, to breach a confidence, to illegally invade privacy or to breach copyright. There is no quick resolution, nor ultimate answer to the prevention of copyright breaches when it comes to the high public use of social media platforms in today’s market. Breaches of media law are constantly occurring across the globe. We are all publishers in the eye of the law when we publish a blog, or post to a social media platform, and in that role all citizens are now subject to the copyright laws that have affected journalists and publishers for centuries