Chapter 34 Self-test questions

. In 2012 the Director of Public Prosecutions published guidance for CPS prosecutors on the factors they should consider when deciding whether journalists—or their sources—should be charged with criminal offences alleged to have been committed in the course of the journalists' work. What did the DPP say it is important to consider?

If the public interest served by the conduct in question means an offence hasn't been committed

If the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality

If the criminality outweighs the resulting public interest in the case, even if it brought about major change

The extent of the criminality and whether anyone else was involved

. What is the name of the offence that public officials can be charged with when accused of disclosing information to the media?

Misconduct in a public office

Misconduct in a high office

Breach of Trust in a public office

Misconduct as a public official

. You are working on a story where you know that a local councillor is taking bribes and you secretly film him taking money from you, in order to stand up the story. There is a risk of prosecution under the Bribery Act, but what argument would you make?

The story is true

The story is in the public interest

The story shows the councillor is corrupt

The story has been published

. Journalists can be prosecuted for hacking into the voicemails and emails under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. But a public interest defence is not applicable under this act.

True

False

. A journalist who is recording a phone call must by law declare to the person they are on the phone to that they are recording the call.

True

False

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