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. First Amendment protects media to report information from official records available in open court.






2. Recognized first amendment right of privacy for private figures against media.






3. 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






4. 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.






5. Friend of the court.






6. A form of qualified privilege which gives the media the right to publish articles as long as opinions are based on relevent facts. These aretiles include opinion - columns - editorials - book reviews - movie reviews - etc.






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






8. There is a first amendment right of access to the public to cover and attend trials.






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






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






11. Permission given by SCOTUS to allow a case to be appealed






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






13. For presidential searches - MI supreme court ruled universities are 4th arm of government - and must conduct search in public.






14. 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.






15. Reconfirmed that you cannot censor news media and its coverage unless theirs a clear and present danger.






16. Failure to obey an order made by the court






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






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






19. An order issued by the court to prevent attorneys and witnesses from discussing the case outside the courtroom - or reporters from publishing information obtained during a court proceeding.






20. Newspaper must have known material falsity - material falsity became standard of proof in Michigan.






21. If you get the information from outside sources - you can publish it. MCL 750.520k does not constitute an unlawful prior restraint on publication. Rather - the statute directs that the court file be withheld from the public






22. No guarantee of immunity for media ride alongs.






23. Words that may be innocent on face - but facts make story damaging






24. Michigan is in ____ district court in ____ -____






25. Requires certain information held by various federal and state agencies to be made available to the public unless the information falls under one of the exemptions.






26. A reporter has a qualified privilege to report on controversial matters of public interest using reputable sources.






27. A judgment made by the court before or during a trial. This judgment is in repsonse to a motion by the plaintiff or defendant - who claims there is not enough evidence or there is no dispute that the information given is fact.






28. A court created device to weed out inadmissible evidence in advance of trial






29. 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.






30. 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.






31. 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.






32. Published work of copyrighted material is a violation and isn't protected under Section 107 as 'fair use.'






33. 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.






34. A proper search warrant could be applied to a newspaper as well as to anyone else without necessarily violating the First Amendment rights to freedom of the press.






35. Even though university foundations are privately incorporated - they might be subject to comply with FOIA and OMA if the majority of funding comes from the university.






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






37. (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






38. NYT actual malice standard does not extend to private figures. However - it's up to the states to determine what a private figure is - and there's a new standard that says you have to prove harm and damages.






39. A published article must be so inaccurate that it will have more of an effect on the reader than the literal truth would.






40. If you knowingly run ads that advocate criminal activity - you can be held liable. Got off on the first case - but on the second case they should have known better.






41. Opinion - privilege - fair comment - truth - constitutional defenses






42. hearing where the judge decides whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove a crime. In michigan - takes place in district court






43. Undercover efforts by news organizations could be prosecuted not for defamation - but possibly for things like breach of duty or loyalty.






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






45. No absolute right of access to members of the media. Can be restricted within reason.






46. Motions for summary judgment is applicable if the publication is not private facts and is newsworthy.






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






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






49. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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