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






2. What is shot in public place is fine - but if there is intrusion on physical solitude it is not protected.






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






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






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






6. Prevents ISPs from liability except on copyright.






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






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






10. Truth is only a defense in privacy cases when it's in a case of _______






11. Federal if between two states (although try to get it back to states) - telecommunications - crossing state lines - anything violating state law






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






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






14. 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.






15. 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.






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






17. Failure to obey an order made by the court






18. Reading of the charges against a person






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






20. 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






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






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






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






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






25. Incidental use of someone's image cold be an invasion of privacy or defamation.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






33. NYT actual malice rule is extended form just public officials to include public figures






34. 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






35. Enforced freelancer/copyright actions - and publishers who were doing more than compile the stories had to pay the reporters. Electronic publications (putting it online) makes it a new publication.






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






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






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






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






40. First Amendment protects even false statements about the conduct of public officials except when statements are made with knowledge that they are false or in reckless disregard of their truth or falsity. (actual malice)






41. For purposes of defamation - a person who has thrust themself into the spotlight and has the power to gain media publicity. these individuals must prove actual malice to prevail in a libel suit






42. 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.






43. Friend of the court.






44. In an invasion of privacy tort - an action that characterizes a person falsely. Often the person is misrepresented by quoting out of context - the careless use of photos or cutlines - or by using a picture from one story as a picture for another.






45. 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.






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






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






48. 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






49. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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