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. 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.






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






3. 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.






4. Opinion - privilege - fair comment - truth - constitutional defenses






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






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






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






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






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






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






12. 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.






13. 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.






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






15. 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.






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






17. 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.






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






19. 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.






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






21. Criminal matters anything less than a year in jail






22. 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.






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






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






25. 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.






26. 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.






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






28. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






29. 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.






30. (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






31. The First Amendment protection for students does not require a public school to print speech when they can justify their decision by stating it is lewd - indecent or offensive - or have legitimate pedagogical concerns.






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






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






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






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






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






37. If you knowingly run ads that advocate criminal activity - you can be held liable. Got off on the first case - but on the second case they should have known better.






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






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






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






41. 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.






42. 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.






43. The right of an individual to a speedy trial by an impartial jury - to be informed of the changes against them - to confront witnesses - the right to have compulsory proceedings to obtain witnesses in their favor - and the right to have assistance of






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






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






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






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






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






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






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