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. Under FOIA - personell records may be released - subject to 'appropriate redactions.'






2. The Sixth Amendment rights of a defendant outweigh the First Amendment of the press in cases where the press can have prejudicial outcome of the defendant's trial.






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






5. 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






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






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






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






9. If a statement 'results in a material change in the meaning conveyed by the statement -' the person who says it can be sued for libel.






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. 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.






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






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






15. 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)






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






17. Written defamation which causes injury to another's reputation






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






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






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






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






22. 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.






23. An invasion of privacy tort which occurs when information about a person's private life is published - and there is not relevant newsworthy tie.






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






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






26. (privacy) There are areas around you that are a 'zone of privacy'






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






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






29. If you obtain material from a third party illegally - media are still protected and can publish.






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






31. In an invasion of privacy tort - the right an individual has to profit from their likeness - or to prevent others from gaining value for their own commercial benefit






32. Criminal matters anything less than a year in jail






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






34. No guarantee of immunity for media ride alongs.






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. (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






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






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






39. 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.






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






41. 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.






42. 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






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






44. Friend of the court.






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






46. Prevents ISPs from liability except on copyright.






47. 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.






48. 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.






49. 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.






50. Failure to obey an order made by the court