Media Law and Ethics Concepts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

How is 'impartial juror' defined?

One who is able to make a decision based only on evidence and testimony presented in the courtroom.

One who is free of bias.

One who knows nothing about the case being decided.

All of the above. (correct)

Many media companies have chosen a profitable marketing strategy in which they develop a loyal audience by reporting news and information in ways that reinforce the views and opinions of their audience. This is called:

Journalism of affirmation (correct)

Free enterprise journalism

Public interest reporting

Focused journalism

The agency with oversight regarding compliance with the Mississippi open record and open meetings acts is:

The Freedom of Information Council

The Board of Principles and Practices

The Mississippi Ethics Commission (correct)

The Office of the Governor

In the prevalent media model, the cost of providing news and entertainment is paid by:

Advertisers Signup and view all the answers

"Life With Hilda" was a popular comedy series being streamed on Amazon Prime. The Kellogg company paid Amazon $25,000 per episode for showing its product in a favorable way. This is known by the term:

Native advertising Signup and view all the answers

Definitionally speaking, values are:

What's important to each individual Signup and view all the answers

What does the law say about Susan recording a shooting scene where she is told to leave?

Susan must leave or she may face a criminal charge of trespassing. Signup and view all the answers

In textbook terms, Bert chose the:

Deontological approach Signup and view all the answers

The key factor in deciding whether government meetings or records should be closed is:

Whether closure serves a public interest. Signup and view all the answers

What do you know about John's advertisement for fake passports?

Assuming passport forgery is illegal, John's acceptance of the advertisement was illegal. Signup and view all the answers

What do you tell Honey Bismarck about marketing 'Honey's Honey' in relation to climate change?

People may love your product, but it's increasingly common for consumers to care about the values of companies. Signup and view all the answers

Is there a problem with Julie filming Tim's testimony in court?

Yes. Most Mississippi courts allow photos/recordings but limit the use of cameras to media representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What does Mississippi law say about media exclusion from Mayor Sue's community meeting?

Mayor Sue can't exclude the media from this meeting if it's open to the public. Signup and view all the answers

What result did Ellen face for her lawsuit against a car dealership for false advertising?

Ellen loses. 'Sales speak' may not be truthful, but it's not illegal. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the Commercial Speech Doctrine?

It only applies when truthfulness of the advertising message is NOT the focus for a regulation. Signup and view all the answers

In making an ethical decision to post a graphic photo from a train derailment, what is Frank's foremost consideration?

Whether the shock and horror value of the image is overcome by its helpfulness to viewers in understanding what happened. Signup and view all the answers

What must influencers inform their audience about, according to the Federal Trade Commission?

To inform their audience by direct or indirect means that they are receiving compensation for their posts. Signup and view all the answers

What does the law say about Pete's request for public information from Mississippi State University?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

Major factors in building audience trust are:

Truthfulness and reliability Signup and view all the answers

What is the worst penalty the FTC can impose?

Corrective Advertising Order Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be used as a test to determine whether content is 'advertising'?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

In simplest terms, consent consists of:

Awareness and agreement Signup and view all the answers

What type of deception did Jack fall victim to when reporting on a movie?

Assuming a narrative, i.e., long lines mean popular movies Signup and view all the answers

How must Junior respond to his sponsor's hiring requirement?

I can mention you're hiring, but it's illegal for me to include the passport requirement. Signup and view all the answers

Media consumers should be able to rely on professional journalists to provide:

The best available version of the truth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Media Law and Ethics Key Concepts

Impartial Juror: Defined as someone who can make decisions strictly based on courtroom evidence, free of bias, and not previously informed about the case.
Journalism of Affirmation: A strategy used by media companies to cultivate a loyal audience by reporting news that reinforces existing beliefs.
Oversight Agency for Open Records: The Mississippi Ethics Commission oversees compliance with open record and meeting laws in Mississippi.
Funding for News Media: In the predominant media model, the financial support for news and entertainment primarily comes from advertisers.
Native Advertising: The practice of integrating branded content into media, exemplified by Kellogg’s sponsorship in "Life With Hilda."

Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

Trespassing Law: A non-resident like Susan may be subject to criminal trespassing charges if asked to leave private property.
Deontological Ethics: Bert, the reporter, exhibited a deontological approach by refusing to employ unethical methods to gain information about a homicide suspect.
Public Interest and Government Meetings: The main consideration for closing government meetings or records is whether it serves the public interest.

Advertising and Ethics

Illegal Advertising: John's acceptance of $5,000 for a fake passport advertisement would be illegal because it involves promoting illegal goods.
Consumer Values: Companies increasingly need to align with consumer values; failure may lead to a loss of customers.
Courtroom Recording: In Mississippi, only media representatives are allowed to record court proceedings, limiting business person’s participation.

Regulations and Requirements

Media Access to Public Meetings: If a meeting is public, the media cannot be excluded, emphasizing transparency in government actions.
False Advertising: Ellen’s lawsuit against a car dealership for false advertising would likely fail since "puffery" is legally permissible in advertisements.
Commercial Speech Doctrine: This doctrine is only relevant when truthfulness of an advertisement is not the primary regulatory focus.

Journalistic Ethics and Audience Trust

Ethical Image Sharing: Journalists must weigh the impact of graphic images against their informational value to the audience.
Influencer Disclosure Requirement: Influencers are legally required to disclose any compensation received for endorsements, either directly or indirectly.
Public Information Requests: Universities aren't required to create records if they don’t exist; they must respond within seven days to public inquiries.

Trust and Communication

Factors in Building Trust: Truthfulness and reliability are critical to gaining and maintaining audience trust in journalism.
Corrective Advertising: The most severe penalty imposed by the Federal Communications Commission for false advertising can include a requirement for corrective advertising.
Determining Advertising Content: Evaluating whether content qualifies as advertising can depend on product mention, labeling, or its commercial intent.

Definition of Consent: Consent encompasses awareness and agreement regarding a situation or action undertaken.
Media Narratives: Assumptions about popularity can lead to mistaken narratives, as illustrated by Jack's incorrect conclusion about a movie's success based on long lines.
Employment Discrimination in Advertising: It's illegal for advertisers to require U.S. citizenship as a condition for employment in ads, highlighting the importance of ethical hiring practices.

Media Responsibilities

Truth in Journalism: Audiences should expect professional journalists to present the best available version of the truth in their reporting, balancing multiple sources rather than favoring official narratives.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in media law and ethics. This quiz covers essential topics such as impartial jurors, journalism of affirmation, and the legal responsibilities of media professionals. Explore how laws and ethical guidelines shape the media landscape.