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






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






3. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






4. 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.






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






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






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






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






9. A court order preventing a person or group from doing or continuing to do a specific act.






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






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






12. The speech and debate clause only covers members of congress within the halls of congress - not outside of it. I.E. press releases - speeches - etc.






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






14. For the purpose of defamation - a person who does not have regular - continuing access to the media - or on matters of public controversy. These individuals have a lesser burden of proof under most state libel laws.






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. Failure to obey an order made by the court






17. 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)






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






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






20. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






21. Compensatory damages are a proper remedy to avoid the injustice under a promissory estoppel claim.






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






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






24. 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.






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






26. 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.






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






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






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






30. Judge has an absolute duty to ensure fair trial rights. Judge must be able to control what's going on in the courtroom.






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






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






33. Requires certain information held by various federal and state agencies to be made available to the public unless the information falls under one of the exemptions.






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






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






37. 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.






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






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






40. Truth is only a defense in privacy cases when it's in a case of _______






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






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






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






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






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






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






47. 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.






48. 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






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






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