Question 1

In 1996,the EFOIA was passed to:

Accepted Answer

The Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (EFOIA) was passed to make more information available on the Internet, enhancing public access to government information.

Question 2

The work of authors and others producing creative works after January 1,1978 is protected by:

Accepted Answer

Copyright laws protect creative works for the life of the author plus 70 years, which means the work produced after January 1, 1978 will be protected for a substantial amount of time. The other options are not correct: A does not exist, C is incorrect as no work is protected for an unlimited time span, D is not appropriate as both acts are no longer in effect, and E is not correct as Fair Use still applies to copyrighted works.

Question 3

Reporters who lie on job applications so they can gain access to a company to conduct an investigative report run the risk of being charged with:

Accepted Answer

Reporters who lie on job applications to gain access to a company are committing fraud and trespass, as they are misrepresenting themselves in order to enter private property and gain information. While they could potentially face charges related to creating a false impression or damaging someone's reputation, the primary legal issues would likely revolve around fraud and trespass.

Question 4

The ___________ allows public (and reporter)access to many regular governmental meetings.

Accepted Answer

The Sunshine Act is a federal law that requires many governmental agencies to hold open meetings accessible to the public and the media. It was enacted to promote transparency and accountability in government.

Question 5

In prior restraint cases,the courts tend to support the rights of:

Accepted Answer

In prior restraint cases, courts tend to support the rights of the press, as they are protected by the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of the press. The government must demonstrate a compelling government interest in suppressing speech before imposing prior restraint, and the burden is on the government to prove such interest, which the courts scrutinize closely. Therefore, the answer is C, the press.

Question 6

Shield laws,designed to uphold reporters' rights:

Accepted Answer

Shield laws vary from state to state and are not consistent across all states.

Question 7

The law giving citizens the right to learn more about the activities of the Federal government is:

Accepted Answer

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that gives citizens the right to access information from the executive branch of the federal government. This law allows individuals to request access to government records and documents, subject to certain limitations and exemptions. The FOIA helps promote transparency and accountability within the federal government.

Question 8

To win a libel suit against the media,any person must prove (among other things):

Accepted Answer

The occurrence of defamation and harm is an essential element of a libel suit.

Question 9

The Telecommunications Act of 1996:

Accepted Answer

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 removed limits on radio station ownership (A), deregulated cable system rates (B), allowed telephone companies to enter the cable TV business (C), and mandated V-chips in all new TV sets (D). Therefore, all of these choices are correct.

Question 10

Network or Internet neutrality refers to:

Accepted Answer

Network or Internet neutrality refers to the idea that all Internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or preference given to any particular website, application, or user. This is what the FCC recommends with their Open Internet Order, which prohibits ISPs from favoring one web company over another. Options A, B, D, and E are unrelated to network or Internet neutrality.

Question 11

When defamatory statements are published online:

Accepted Answer

According to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Internet Service Providers are not considered publishers of third-party content and are therefore not liable unless they authored the content in question.

Question 12

Judges can issue ________ to restrict media coverage of courtroom events.

Accepted Answer

Judges can issue gag rules to restrict media coverage of courtroom events to ensure a fair trial and prevent prejudicial information from influencing the jury or public opinion.

Question 13

No critic would be found guilty of defamation for writing something like "Gigli is the worst film ever made" because

Accepted Answer

Fair comment and criticism provides a defense for critics who make negative comments about a work of fiction. This defense protects the critic from being found guilty of defamation.

Question 14

What is the status of copyright on the Internet?

Accepted Answer

Copyright laws do apply to the Internet, as stated in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other international treaties and agreements. The Internet is a global platform for sharing and distributing content, and copyright laws are in place to protect the rights of creators and owners of that content. While there are some challenges in enforcing copyright on the Internet, it is still an important aspect of intellectual property law. Option A is incorrect as copyright laws do apply to the Internet. Option C is incorrect as the fair use concept still applies to the Internet, although it may be interpreted differently in certain cases. Option D is incorrect as copyright laws apply to all forms of content, not just limited to video content.

Question 15

What is the relationship between the First Amendment and advertising?

Accepted Answer

Advertising receives limited First Amendment protection. While commercial speech is protected under the First Amendment, it is subject to more regulations and restrictions than other types of speech. The government can regulate advertising to protect consumers from false or misleading claims, but the regulations must be narrowly tailored to serve a substantial governmental interest.

Question 16

A __________ has been established to prohibit indecent material from airing when children are likely to hear it.

Accepted Answer

Safe harbor is a time frame established by the FCC during which broadcasters are allowed to air programming that may be considered indecent or profane, but only if it falls within certain limits and is appropriate for the audience during that time. The safe harbor time frame is typically between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, when children are less likely to be in the audience.

Question 17

As of 2010,cameras remained banned in all __________ courts.

Accepted Answer

As of 2010, cameras were banned in all federal district courts. This policy reflects concerns about the impact of media presence on trial proceedings and the protection of privacy for those involved in court cases.

Question 18

Which law is no longer in effect?

Accepted Answer

The Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to present both sides of controversial issues, was repealed by the FCC in 1987 and is no longer in effect. The Equal Opportunities Rule and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 are still in effect.

Question 19

When the courts investigate whether a use is "Fair Use" they typically consider:

Accepted Answer

The courts consider all three factors - the purpose of use, the nature of the copyrighted work, and the proportion of the work used - when investigating whether a use is "Fair Use".

Question 20

If the media reveal that someone has AIDS (and it's true),that person can sue for:

Accepted Answer

Revealing someone's medical condition without their consent is a violation of their privacy rights. The person can sue for the unauthorized release of their private information. The fact that the information is true does not negate the breach of privacy.

Quiz 16: Formal Controls: Laws, Rules, Regulations