Test your basic knowledge |

Journalism Law

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Journalists and citizens must first obey court orders first before seeking appeal - even if they believe the order is unconstitutional






2. Minor errors do not count as actual malice.






3. Judge has an absolute duty to ensure fair trial rights. Judge must be able to control what's going on in the courtroom.






4. Police have to disclose incident report records. Do have to keep submitting FOIAs.






5. Reporters have no greater rights than any other citizen - there is no reporter shield from grand jury testifying. If you're attempting to harass - then reporters are protected and do not have to testify.






6. Spoken defamation which causes injury to a person's reputation






7. The burden of proof imposed on public officials extends to anyone involved in a matter of public concern - regardless of whether they were famous or unknown.






8. Protects all 'persons' from deprivation of life - liberty or property without due process of law.






9. The declaration of a final judgment based on the evidence presented






10. Publication of private matters that violate ordinary decency - 2. Intrusion on physical solitude - 3. False light - 4. Appropriation of another's likeness for commercial profit - 5. Right to publicity






11. Plaintiffs are not entitled to an order unmasking an anonymous author when the statements in question cannot support a cause of action for defamation.






12. (Privacy)a. Very close to libel - If you're a public official/figure you have the actual malice rule - Portraying someone in a lie - Truth is a defense - Consent is a defense - Public newsworthy event is okay






13. Civil cases when the amount in dispute is less than $25 -000






14. The media must make sure that permission is acquired in commercial situations.






15. Have to have an open meeting when interviewing candidates for a public position.






16. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






17. Set the standard in MI that negligence is needed to prove libel - as the legislature had not acted.






18. Damages presumed - Falsely accusing someone of a crime - Statements concerning race or political belief - Damaging someone in their business - Ex. calling brain surgeon 'butterfingers'






19. If the information is lawfully obtained - the defendant can't be held in contempt of court.






20. For purposes of divorce - there may be some elements of a public person's private life that make them a private figure.






21. Institutes procedures to ensure every citizen has the right to access government documents - as well as the right to inspect and receive copies of records from state and local government bodies.






22. Series of pre trail hearings: court created devices to weed out inadmissible evidence prior to trial. Often determine bargaining of prosecution and defendant to come up with plea bargain. Most cases are ended with plea bargain and don't go to trial.






23. Any communication - true or false - which exposes a person to hatred - ridicule or contempt. the person's reputation is harmed or damaged






24. To claim exemption for investigative records - they must show how disclosure would interfere with proceedings. The burden of proof is on the party claiming exemption.






25. Statements of opinion that could be perceived as defamation need to be based on reliable evidence.






26. Compensatory damages are a proper remedy to avoid the injustice under a promissory estoppel claim.






27. Reading of the charges against a person






28. No guarantee of immunity for media ride alongs.






29. Lowest court handles: Tickets - civil matter - Misdemeanor - Felonies






30. For the purpose of defamation - a person who does not have regular - continuing access to the media - or on matters of public controversy. These individuals have a lesser burden of proof under most state libel laws.






31. There is liability even if the news organization reports both sides - if the sources are not credible.






32. Guarantees freedoms of speech - religion - press and assembly.






33. There is a First amendment right of access to trials


34. If an ongoing - criminal investigation is actively underway - discretion may be used under the exemption claim in FOIA to withhold some documents.






35. This protects the media from liability of defamatory statements made during official proceedings. The published story must be a fair and accurate account of what happened.






36. Guarantees people the right to be secure in their homes and property against unreasonable searches and seizures. Also protects against the issuance of a warrant without probable cause.






37. (privacy) Ex. Beyonce has a thing of Ocean Spray orange juice. Ocean Spray uses the photo as a marketing campaign. Beyonce could go after them.


38. 3rd party has no obligation to notify media when there's been a government subpoena of phone records. Also includes any form of electronic communication.






39. Broadcasters are immune from liability if political candidates defame someone while under section 315






40. Michigan court trials have to remain open. Parts can be closed - but never all of the trial. M.C.L.A 750.520k only applies to pre-trial hearings.






41. School officials can prohibit students from displaying messages that promote illegal drug use.






42. in an invasion of privacy tort - an action which occurs when an individual's expectation of privacy or right to be left alone is breached. EX. A reporter lies about his identity to gain access to information they couldn't under normal conditions.






43. Only in Massachusetts - you can close a preliminary hearing if the case is a sexual assault case.






44. Upon the request of the counsel or the victim - you can order that the names of the victim and actor and details of the alleged offense be suppressed until such time as the actor is arraigned - the charge is dismissed - or the case is otherwise concl






45. A constructive trust is a proper manner of relinquishing the profits of one who abuses a confidential position.






46. The power of authority of a particular court to hear and adjudicate matters in dispute






47. Under the language of the statute - these media representatives are not subject to an investigative subpoena.






48. A court order preventing a person or group from doing or continuing to do a specific act.






49. If a quote is altered - in order for a publication to be sued the plaintiff must prove the meaning portrayed in altered quote is dramatically different than the actual quote






50. (Privacy) Ex. Kim Kardashian's sex tape