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






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






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






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






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






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






7. Reading of the charges against a person






8. 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.






9. 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.






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






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






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. 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.






14. 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.






15. Minor errors do not count as actual malice.






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






17. 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






18. 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






19. 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.






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






21. 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.






22. (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






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






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






25. Friend of the court.






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






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






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






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






30. 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.






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






32. In Michigan - booking photos are available to the public.






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






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






35. Publication - identification - defamation - harm and damages






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






43. 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






44. 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.






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






46. 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.






47. Written defamation which causes injury to another's reputation






48. 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.






49. 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.






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