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






2. 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.






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






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






5. (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






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






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






8. 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.






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






10. A judgment made by the court before or during a trial. This judgment is in repsonse to a motion by the plaintiff or defendant - who claims there is not enough evidence or there is no dispute that the information given is fact.






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






12. This protects the media from liability of defamatory statements made during official proceedings. The published story must be a fair and accurate account of what happened.






13. 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






14. No guarantee of immunity for media ride alongs.






15. Anything punishable by more than a year in jail






16. 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.






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






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






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






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






21. 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






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






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






24. 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.






25. 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.






26. 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.






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






28. 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.






29. 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.






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






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






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






33. Reading of the charges against a person






34. 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.






35. In the case where a party challenges the underlying facts that support a trial court's decision - the appellate court must defer to the trial court's view of the facts.






36. 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)






37. 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.






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






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






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






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






42. 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.






43. 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.






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






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






46. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






47. Publication of private matters that violate ordinary decency - 2. Intrusion on physical solitude - 3. False light - 4. Appropriation of another's likeness for commercial profit - 5. Right to publicity






48. Minor errors do not count as actual malice.






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






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