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. 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






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






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






4. 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.






5. US Supreme court allows inquiry into a reporters state of mind when making decisions about what to include and what not to include.






6. 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.






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






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






9. Under FOIA - personell records may be released - subject to 'appropriate redactions.'






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






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






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






13. 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.






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






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






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






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. (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






19. 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.






20. 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.






21. 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)






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






23. 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.






24. 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






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






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






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






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






29. If you get the information from outside sources - you can publish it. MCL 750.520k does not constitute an unlawful prior restraint on publication. Rather - the statute directs that the court file be withheld from the public






30. Friend of the court.






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






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






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






34. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






35. 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.






36. A proper search warrant could be applied to a newspaper as well as to anyone else without necessarily violating the First Amendment rights to freedom of the press.






37. 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






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






39. Published work of copyrighted material is a violation and isn't protected under Section 107 as 'fair use.'






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






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






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






43. 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






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






45. 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






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






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






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






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






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