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






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






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






4. Journalists and citizens must first obey court orders first before seeking appeal - even if they believe the order is unconstitutional






5. 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






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






7. A person vs. a person (corporation can be a person too






8. 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.






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






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






11. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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






13. Michigan statute M.C.L.A. 750.520k violated the First - Fifth - and Fourteenth Amendments






14. 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.






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






18. The First Amendment protection for students does not require a public school to print speech when they can justify their decision by stating an educational purpose.






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






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






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






22. Money damages awarded to the injured party as compensation for a specific loss






23. The First Amendment protects college students' freedom of expression - and the Hazelwood case should not be applied to college media.






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






25. 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.






26. Limited decision. Closure of preliminary hearing is unconstitutional in California because they act as mini trials to ensure defendants right to a fair trial. Unique to that state however.






27. (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






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






29. 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.






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






31. 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.






32. Qualified privilege allows newspapers to report on both sides of a story as long as the sources are qualified. Created doctrine of neutral reportage






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






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






35. If a publication accurately prints something from a false public record document - they cannot be sued for libel.






36. 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.






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






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






39. When you have a private figure plaintiff - even though state standards controls - if it's a matter of public concern - the burden of proof shifts from the defendant who no longer has to prove truth - to the plaintiff who has to prove falsity of what






40. The OMA does not allow public bodies to bypass the law by closing meetings or doing round robin phone calls. universities are not exempt from FOIA in cases of public records.






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






42. A decision of a court that is recognized as an authority in deciding cases which deal with similar or identical questions of law.






43. Innocent and negligent misstatement in a newspaper are protected under constitutional freedoms of speech and press.






44. The right of an individual to a speedy trial by an impartial jury - to be informed of the changes against them - to confront witnesses - the right to have compulsory proceedings to obtain witnesses in their favor - and the right to have assistance of






45. 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.






46. MI Supreme Court ruled directory information of teachers cannot be disclosed. (home address and phone number)






47. 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.






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






49. Reckless disregard for the truth; knowing falsity






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