Filak, Dynamics of Media Writing, 2e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Chapter 8: Law and Ethics in Media Writing
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. The Bill of Rights ______.
A. outlines the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
B. outlines the first ten amendments to the Declaration of Independence
C. outlines the first twelve amendments to the U.S. Constitution
D. outlines the first twelve amendments to the Declaration of Independence
2. The ______ is often viewed as the foundation upon which all the rights and
responsibilities of the media reside.
A. Third Amendment
B. First Amendment
C. Fifth Amendment
D. Second Amendment
3. Fighting words, threats, false advertising, and criminal solicitation are ______.
A. sometimes protected by the U.S. Constitution
B. protected by the U.S. Constitution
C. not protected by the U.S. Constitution
D. protected by the Declaration of Independence
4. Broadcast journalism is governed through the ______ due to its use of the public
airwaves.
A. Federal Trade Commission
B. Food and Drug Administration
C. Federal Department of Agriculture
D. Federal Communication Commission
5. Speech can be limited in all of the following ways EXCEPT ______.
A. demographic limitations
B. categorical limitations
C. medium-based limitations
D. time–place–manner limitations
6. The following are all misconceptions regarding the First Amendment EXCEPT
______.
A. no one can stop you from publishing what you want
B. the law makes no demarcation between professional and amateur journalists
C. freedom of the press protects you from ramifications
D. the rights established in the First Amendment are absolute
7. Libel requires all of the following EXCEPT ______.
A. identification
B. publication
C. fame
D. defamation
8. The following are all legal defenses against libel EXCEPT ______.
A. truth
B. privilege
C. hyperbole and opinion
D. defamation
9. ______ protects website owners from libel suits based on the comment sections of
their websites.
A. The Communications Decency Act
B. Libel
C. Defamation
D. Identification
10. Ways to avoid a lawsuit include all of the following EXCEPT ______.
A. check your facts
B. extrapolate
C. reverify your information
D. take good notes
Filak, Dynamics of Media Writing, 2e
12. The most fragile thing you will deal with on a daily basis in media is ______.
13. The most valuable commodity in the field of media is ______.
A. connections
B. money
C. technology
D. comprehension
14. A reporter dating a source is an example of ______.
A. plagiarism
B. a conflict of interest
C. libel
D. defamation
15. Excerpting large sections of previously published materials without citing the
material directly can lead to allegations of ______.
A. defamation
B. libel
Filak, Dynamics of Media Writing, 2e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
C. plagiarism
D. malice
16. The following are good ways to work through ethical dilemmas EXCEPT ______.
A. assess the situation
B. identify the values
C. discuss the issue with others
D. flip a coin
1. The Bill of Rights outlines the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and it
places issues regarding free expression.
2. The Fifth Amendment has to do with freedom of expression.
3. The First Amendment does not protect all forms of expression, despite its broad
interpretation by many courts.
4. There are no categorical limitations regarding the First Amendment.
5. Newspapers still receive the broadest possible protection under the First
Amendment.
6. Broadcast journalism is governed through the Federal Trade Administration due to its
use of the public airwaves.
7. Current rulings place the Internet as being akin to newspapers in terms of First
Amendment protection.
8. Courts do not seek to balance the rights of the public against the rights of those who
exercise their free speech rights.
9. People often erroneously assume speech can’t be halted at all.
10. Freedom of the press protects you from ramifications.
11. The rights established in the First Amendment are not absolute.
12. The First Amendment only applies to professional media.
13. You might be liable if you libel someone.
14. Libel is just a newspaper concern.
15. You can libel someone in a press release, in an advertisement, on a blog post,
through a tweet, on a television report, and many other places.
16. The individual alleging libel does not have to be clearly identifiable in the potentially
libelous material.
17. In libel cases, information must be sent to someone other than the person who
claims to be libeled.
18. In the United States, the law dictates that the plaintiff does not have to prove the
statement is false in order for a libel suit to be successful.
19. In cases of libel, the statements do not have to damage the plaintiff’s reputation.
20. An example of actual damages is the inability to earn an income or emotional
suffering.
21. The greater the irresponsibility on the part of the publisher, the lower the likelihood
the court will award punitive damages.
22. It is much harder for politicians, celebrities, and other public figures to win libel
cases.
23. Privilege is the ultimate defense against a libel suit.
24. Absolute privilege allows officials to make statements in their official roles without
fear of libel.
1. What are the key issues in ethics that all media professionals should consider?
2. What are some ways to work through ethical dilemmas?
3. In what ways can speech be limited?
4. What are some misconceptions regarding the First Amendment?
5. What are the key elements for proving libel?
1. What are the key protections of the First Amendment?
2. What is required to prove libel?
3. What are legal defenses against libel?
4. What are the rules associated with copyright protection?
Filak, Dynamics of Media Writing, 2e
Difficulty Level: Medium
5. What are some key issues in ethics that all media professionals need to consider?