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






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






3. In Michigan - booking photos are available to the public.






4. 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.






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






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






7. 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.






8. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






9. 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






10. Failure to obey an order made by the court






11. Newspapers do not have an equal time requirement like broadcast has.






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






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






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






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






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






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






20. 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.






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






22. 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






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






24. 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.






25. Reading of the charges against a person






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






27. Reckless disregard for the truth; knowing falsity






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






29. In Michigan - there's an absolute right of public to be present during jury selection.






30. 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






31. 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.






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






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






34. No liability for publishing information that was lawfully obtained.






35. 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.






36. Friend of the court.






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






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






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






40. 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.






41. The government cannot censor. In order to exercise prior restraint - the Government must show sufficient evidence that the publication would cause a 'grave and irreparable' danger.






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






43. 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.






44. 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.






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






46. 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






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






48. (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






49. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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