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. Minor errors do not count as actual malice.






2. When you have a private figure plaintiff - even though state standards controls - if it's a matter of public concern - the burden of proof shifts from the defendant who no longer has to prove truth - to the plaintiff who has to prove falsity of what






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






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






5. 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.






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






7. 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.






8. 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.






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






10. Words that may be innocent on face - but facts make story damaging






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






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






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






14. School officials can prohibit students from displaying messages that promote illegal drug use.






15. 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.






16. 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.






17. 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.






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






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






20. 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.






21. Prevents ISPs from liability except on copyright.






22. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






23. 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.






24. 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.






25. The right to exploit one's name and likeness is personal to the artist and must be exercised - if at all - by him during his lifetime.' This resulted in a loss of inheriting personality rights in California.






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






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






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. Friend of the court.






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






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






35. Failure to obey an order made by the court






36. No guarantee of immunity for media ride alongs.






37. 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






38. 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)






39. 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.






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






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






42. 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






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






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






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






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






47. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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






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






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