Deck 12: The Writer and the Law

Question 1

Which of the following news stories might constitute libel:

A) a review calling the local play production "stupid and terribly performed"
B) a story about murder trial testimony in which the defendant is called a "murderer"
C) a story written by a recently divorced journalist who falsely calls her ex-husband a car thief
D) a story about the governor calling the legislature "a bunch of ninnies"

Answer 1

a story written by a recently divorced journalist who falsely calls her ex-husband a car thief

Question 2

Privilege means

A) that reporters have a privilege to enter private property when they are pursuing news stories "in the public interest"
B) that reporters can cover any meeting of any two people whenever they wish
C) that reporters have the right to report judicial proceedings and other public matters, such as legislative meetings, as long as they do so fairly
D) that reporters should never accept bribes for writing news stories

Answer 2

that reporters have the right to report judicial proceedings and other public matters, such as legislative meetings, as long as they do so fairly

Question 3

The legal case that established the "actual malice" standard in 1964 is known as:

A) New York Times v. Sikeston
B) New York Times v. Sullivan
C) Binghampton Steel v. New York Times

Answer 3

New York Times v. Sullivan

Question 4

The "actual malice" standard says that _________ can prove libel only if the press knew the news organization knew the story was false, or if the story was printed with reckless disregard of whether it was true or not.

A) anyone
B) anyone who works for the government in any capacity
C) a public figure or a public official

Question 5

What five freedoms does the First Amendment guarantee?

A) press, speech, education, travel and privacy
B) press, speech, religion, assembly, right to petition the government
C) pight to bear arms, trial by jury, press, speech, right to medical care

Question 6

Who wrote the First Amendment?

A) Thomas Jefferson
B) James Madison
C) George Washington

Question 7

Reporters sometimes end up involved in a libel suit for stories they print or broadcast. What defense(s) might be available?

A) The information is true.
B) The plaintiff brought suit after the statute of limitations ran out.
C) The libelous statement was made against a public official and was not done with malice.
D) all of the above

Question 8

The government agency that is most concerned with the regulation of broadcasting is the

A) Federal Communications Commission
B) White House
C) U.S. Senate
D) U.S. Information Agency

Question 9

The government agency that is most concerned with the regulation of the advertising industry is the

A) White House
B) Federal Trade Commission
C) Federal Communications Commission
D) Food and Drug Administration

Question 10

One of the best defenses for libel is

A) privilege
B) truth
C) a shield law
D) a strong privacy law

Question 11

To defame someone in a written form is

A) slander
B) libel
C) false light
D) probate