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. Written defamation which causes injury to another's reputation






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






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






4. 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.






5. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






11. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






12. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. (privacy) a. Because of who you are - you have a right to profit from your image b. Endorsements






20. 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.






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






22. 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.






23. 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






24. 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






25. NYT actual malice standard does not extend to private figures. However - it's up to the states to determine what a private figure is - and there's a new standard that says you have to prove harm and damages.






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. 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.






28. Failure to obey an order made by the court






29. Reading of the charges against a person






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






31. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






37. 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.






38. 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.






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






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






41. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






50. Criminal matters anything less than a year in jail