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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. 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.






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






3. Minor errors do not count as actual malice.






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






5. Reckless disregard for the truth; knowing falsity






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






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






8. 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






9. (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






10. 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






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






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






13. Prevents ISPs from liability except on copyright.






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






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






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






17. Private members of society are not required by the First Amendment to meet the 'actual malice' standard in order to recover damage.


18. 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.






19. The First Amendment protection for students does not require a public school to print speech when they can justify their decision by stating it is lewd - indecent or offensive - or have legitimate pedagogical concerns.






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






21. 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.






22. 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.






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






24. 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.






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






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






27. In the case where a party challenges the underlying facts that support a trial court's decision - the appellate court must defer to the trial court's view of the facts.






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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






34. 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






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






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






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. As long as speech was about a public official (figure) could not reasonably be construed to state actual facts about its subject - it is protected by the first amendment.






42. 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.






43. Criminal matters anything less than a year in jail






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






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






46. 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.






47. 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






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






49. The press has no greater constitutional right to access penal facilities than any member of the general public






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