Media Law Chapter 5: Libel and Privacy
16 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What primary ethical issue arises when journalists misrepresent themselves?

  • Avoiding conflicts of interest
  • Ensuring accurate reporting
  • Enhancing audience engagement
  • Gaining unauthorized access (correct)
  • Which of the following best defines 'hard news'?

  • Conversational pieces focused on human interest
  • Fictional stories meant for entertainment
  • Casual reporting on lifestyle affairs
  • Timely coverage of serious topics (correct)
  • What type of lead is described as intriguing viewers and making them focus on the story?

  • Throwaway lead (correct)
  • Umbrella lead
  • Hard lead
  • Soft lead
  • Which of the following is NOT a type of feature story?

    <p>Hard news (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major responsibility of a public affairs reporter?

    <p>To be diligent and accurate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of document would a police reporter typically not use?

    <p>Advertising contracts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should journalists remember when facing conflicts of interest?

    <p>They must disclose relationships that may bias reporting (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    From where can feature story ideas primarily be derived?

    <p>Curiosity and observation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between libel and slander?

    <p>Libel involves tangible forms of communication, while slander involves gestures. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the six elements of a libel suit?

    <p>Intent (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these best describes the concept of fair comment and criticism in libel law?

    <p>It allows journalists to express opinions on public interest matters without fear of legal repercussions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the four kinds of privacy invasion regarding seclusion?

    <p>Going into someone's home without permission. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of ethical decision-making for journalists?

    <p>To minimize harm and seek truth in reporting. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What question should journalists consider when facing an ethical decision?

    <p>Is my decision in line with the objective of my story? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT fall under the definition of public figures?

    <p>Individuals who avoid public attention altogether. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why are libel/privacy/access issues considered important?

    <p>To protect individual rights and ensure transparency. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Libel vs. Slander

    Libel is defamation through written or other tangible forms, while slander is defamation through spoken words or gestures.

    First Amendment Rights

    Protects freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petitioning the government.

    Public Officials vs. Public Figures

    Public officials hold government positions. Public figures assume societal prominence.

    Libel Defenses

    Truth, fair report privilege, and fair comment and criticism are defenses against libel.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Privacy Invasion (Intrusion)

    Unlawfully entering someone's private space (home, personal belongings) without permission.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Privacy Invasion (False Light)

    Publicizing inaccurate information that places someone in a false, misleading or damaging light.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Ethics in Journalism

    Ethical considerations guide journalists to seek truth, act independently, minimize harm, be accountable, and report transparently.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Morals vs. Ethics

    Morals are personal beliefs, while ethics are broader rules of conduct (like in a profession).

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Hard News

    Covers serious, timely, and impactful topics like politics, crime, and major events using factual and objective reporting.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Soft News

    Focuses on entertainment, lifestyle, and human interest stories, often less time-sensitive and more conversational in tone.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Feature Story Ideas

    Ideas for features come from being curious and observant, focusing on human interest.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Conflict of Interest

    Occurs when a journalist, their associates, or the news organization might benefit from a story.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Misrepresentation

    Actively lying or misleading to gain access to information; ethically and legally wrong for journalists.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Broadcast News Leads

    Four common types of leads in broadcast news: hard, soft, throwaway, and umbrella.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Public Affairs Reporting

    Focuses on federal, state, or local issues, requiring diligence and accurate reporting.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Crime Beat Sources

    Sources like police blotters, incident reports, and arrest records provide information for crime reporting.

    Signup and view all the flashcards

    Study Notes

    Chapter 5: Libel, Privacy, and Access Issues

    • Two key reasons for importance: protecting individual rights and ensuring transparency/accountability

    • Libel vs Slander: Libel is defamation in written form or other tangible media; slander is spoken defamation or gestures.

    • First Amendment Rights: Congress cannot restrict freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, or petition.

    • Six Elements of Libel Suits: Defamation, Identification, Publication, Falsity, Fault, and Damages.

    • Public Officials vs. Public Figures: Public officials hold government positions; public figures have voluntarily taken on prominent roles in society. Both need to prove "fault" under libel law, meaning the publisher acted negligently or intentionally.

    • Three Libel Defenses: Truth, Fair Report Privilege (describing government proceedings), and Fair Comment and Criticism (allowing opinions on matters of legitimate public concern).

    • Four Types of Privacy Invasion: Intrusion upon seclusion or solitude, publicity of private facts, placing a person in a false light, and appropriating a person's name or likeness for gain.

    Chapter 6: Ethics and Morals in Journalism

    • Morals = personal conduct, Ethics = broader rules for behavior. Journalists need to prioritize credibility by maintaining ethical standards.
    • Two reasons for maintaining journalism ethics: minimizing harm to others and ensuring truth in reporting. Act independently, be accountable, and be transparent.
    • Ethical Decision-Making Considerations: Clarify the story's purpose, check if the actions are consistent with the purpose, look for better alternatives, and consider personal values.
    • Describing conflicts of interest: when a journalist, their friends/relatives, or news organizations stand to gain directly from a story; posing vs. misrepresentation (serious ethical/legal; posing is only when no other safe way exists).

    Chapter 12: Hard and Soft News

    • Hard news focuses on serious, timely, and consequential topics—like politics, crime, and major events. This reporting is factual and objective.
    • Soft news covers topics that are less time-sensitive and more conversational in nature—like lifestyle, entertainment, and human interest stories.

    Chapter 13: The Broadcast News Story

    • Four Common Lead Types: Hard leads; tell the audience important info immediately. Throwaway leads; intrigue & focus on story. Umbrella leads; tie together related news stories. Soft leads; tell the audience something important is coming up.
    • Two Story Structures: hard news and soft news. Hard news focuses on facts and details, soft news on a human interest angle.
    • Sources for Broadcast news: newspapers, online sources, public relations, people involved.

    Chapter 17: Public Affairs Reporting

    • Focusing on federal, state or local government and business affairs. Qualities of a public affairs reporter: thorough, accurate, and diligent in investigations.

    Chapter 19: Internal and External PR

    • Internal PR: informs staff of headquarters and branch office activities.
    • External PR: promotes a positive image through different public segments, knowing how to best connect with them.
    • Similarities and differences between journalists and PR professionals.
    • Why Journalists and PR Professionals need each other.
    • Criticisms of press releases: examples of flaws such as puffery or lack of newsworthiness. One-sided or without solid facts.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Related Documents

    News Final Exam Study Guide PDF

    Description

    Explore the critical issues surrounding libel, privacy, and access in media law in this quiz. Understand the distinctions between libel and slander, First Amendment rights, and the essential elements of libel suits. Test your knowledge on defenses against libel claims and the types of privacy invasion.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser