Chapter 05 Multiple Choice Self-Quiz

. In most states, the difference between libel and slander is that

libel is written defamation and slander is spoken defamation.

libel is print defamation and slander is broadcast defamation.

online defamation is slander but broadcast defamation is libel.

print defamation is libel but online defamation is slander.

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

Identification

Clear and present danger

Defamation

Fault

Injury

. In order for a statement to be defamatory, it must

be the product of a diseased mind.

be highly offensive to a reasonable person.

lower a person in the estimation of the community.

expose another person to physical harm.

. Which of the following is NOT among those kinds of statements that will almost always be considered capable of a defamatory meaning?

Accusations of incompetence in one's profession.

Allegations of criminal conduct.

Allegations of sexual misconduct.

Insults phrased in exaggerated or wildly improbable terms.

. A news story that says, "Fred Blackwell has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery," without providing any other information about Blackwell

risks a libel suit because it uses the suspect's full name.

risks a libel suit because of confusion arising from the commonness of the name.

is safe from a libel suit so long as the name is spelled correctly.

is safe from a libel suit because few people are likely to know who Fred Blackwell is.

. For a statement to be considered published for purposes of a libel suit, the plaintiff must show that the statement was

disseminated in the mass media.

disseminated to at least five people other than the person defamed.

disseminated to at least one person other than the person defamed.

disseminated to at least 20 people other than the person defamed.

. The statute of limitations in most states for filing a libel suit is

five years.

four years.

three years.

one or two years.

. If a defamatory statement involves a matter of public concern, the plaintiff in a libel suit must prove

falsity

identification

defamation

publication

. Public officials and public figures who sue for libel must prove actual malice, which means the defamatory statement was published with

a clear and present danger of injuring the reputation of the plaintiff.

a high degree of awareness of the offensive nature of the publication.

the knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was false.

ill-will or hatred toward the plaintiff.

. The U.S. Supreme Court has said there are three possible types of public figures. They are

nationally famous, nationally infamous and mildly notorious.

involuntary, general purpose and limited purpose.

involuntary, nationally famous and locally famous.

general purpose, limited purpose and multipurpose.

. Lady Gaga, Tiger Woods and Ann Coulter are all examples of

limited-purpose public figures.

public officials.

involuntary public figures.

general-purpose public figures.

. The fair-report privilege is a defense that can be used when an allegedly libelous statement is

reported from official public documents or official public meetings.

substantially true in that the sting or gist of the statement is true.

true in every detail.

based entirely on the opinion of the writer.

. Which of the following would be an example of the kind of conduct that could be the basis for a lawsuit for invasion of privacy by intrusion?

Examining public records about a person, such as property tax records.

Interviewing a person's close friends, relatives and enemies.

Entering a person's private office without permission and examining his or her private papers.

Observing a person with the naked eye while that person is in a public place.

. In order to win a lawsuit for invasion of privacy by intrusion, the plaintiff must show that the defendant

obtained embarrassing information about the plaintiff.

was not engaged in gathering news for public dissemination.

was motivated by an intent to harm the plaintiff.

entered an area where the plaintiff had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

. Under federal law, a reporter can record a conversation so long as

all parties to the conversation consent.

at least one-third of the parties to the conversation consent.

at least two-thirds of the parties to the conversation consent.

one party to the conversation consents

. Which of the following is NOT one of the elements of a lawsuit for publicity to private facts?

The information was published with the knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was false.

The information was private.

The information was highly offensive to a reasonable person.

The information was not of legitimate public interest.

. Plaintiffs for publicity to private facts must prove the publication is not a "matter of public concern." Courts generally interpret the phrase "matter of public concern"

to refer broadly to matters likely to engage popular attention.

to refer only to matters of politics and government.

to refer only to sports, entertainment and celebrity gossip.

to refer only to information absolutely necessary to tell a news story.

. Because false light invasion of privacy is so similar to libel, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that false light plaintiffs must prove

defamation

actual malice.

they are not public figures.

severe emotional distress.

. If an automobile dealer ran an advertisement that used the name or likeness of a movie star without the star's permission, this would be the basis for which type of invasion of privacy suit?

Intrusion

Publicity to private facts.

Misappropriation

False light.

. The U.S. Freedom of Information Act opens up to public inspection all federal records, unless the records fall into one of nine exemptions. Which of the following is not one of the nine exemptions?

Information that, if disclosed, would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Information that is classified for national security reasons.

Information that reveals trade secrets.

Information embarrassing to the president.

. To impose a prior restraint on the media in order to protect a criminal defendant's right to a fair trial, the trial judge must have evidence that would support three findings. Which of the following is NOT one of those findings?

The defendant's trial may be prejudiced by the publicity.

A prior restraint would be the easiest means available to the judge to protect the fairness of the trial.

No alternative to a prior restraint would protect the fairness of the trial.

A prior restraint would be effective in protecting the fairness of the trial.

. Which of the following is among the kinds of information about a suspect in a criminal case generally considered appropriate for publication by most state bar-press guidelines?

The suspect's prior criminal record.

The contents of any statement the suspect has made to the police.

Opinions of police and prosecutors about the credibility of the suspect.

The circumstances under which the suspect was arrested, including whether any weapons were used.

. Reporters who refuse to reveal sources to grand juries often

are jailed for contempt of court.

receive bonus pay from their employers.

are complimented by judges on their professionalism.

are fired by their employers.

. Shield laws are laws that allow journalists to protect confidential sources or confidential information or both from disclosure to courts, grand juries and other investigative bodies. Right now,

shield laws exist in a minority of the states, but the federal government has a shield law.

a minority of states have shield laws, but the federal government does not have one.

the majority of states have shield laws but not the federal government.

the majority of the states and the federal government have shield laws.

. Reporters covering crimes, riots or natural disasters have sometimes been arrested by law enforcement agents. Which of the following is NOT one of the things recommended for reporters to do to minimize the risk of being arrested?

Obey all orders from police, even if it interferes with getting the story or photo.

Have a government-issued photo ID.

Never cross clearly marked police lines.

Carry a copy of the First Amendment.

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