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






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






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






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






6. Friend of the court.






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






8. Minor errors do not count as actual malice.






9. 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.






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






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






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






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






14. 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.






15. Criminal matters anything less than a year in jail






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






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






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






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. 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






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






24. An invasion of privacy tort which occurs when information about a person's private life is published - and there is not relevant newsworthy tie.






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






26. The declaration of a final judgment based on the evidence presented






27. If an ongoing - criminal investigation is actively underway - discretion may be used under the exemption claim in FOIA to withhold some documents.






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






29. 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.






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






31. 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.






32. 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.






33. Michigan is in ____ district court in ____ -____






34. 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.






35. (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






36. 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.






37. 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.






38. 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.






39. Reckless disregard for the truth; knowing falsity






40. 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.






41. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






47. Institutes procedures to ensure every citizen has the right to access government documents - as well as the right to inspect and receive copies of records from state and local government bodies.






48. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






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






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