FREE Bachelor of Journalism: Ethics and Legal Principles Questions and Answers
Which of the following rights are safeguarded by the First Amendment?
The correct answer is "All of the above." The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the rights of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. These essential rights ensure that individuals have the liberty to express their ideas and beliefs, practice their religion freely, and participate in a free press that can hold the government accountable and inform the public.
When mistakes are present in published media, what is the appropriate approach for correcting them, and how should attention be handled in such situations?
The correct answer is "False." When mistakes are present in published media, the appropriate approach is to correct them quickly and transparently. Attention should be drawn to the correction to ensure that the audience is aware of the error and the subsequent correction. This promotes accountability, credibility, and trustworthiness in journalism and other forms of media.
What term best describes the use of "According to the Our town Gazette, Friday's power outage was due to a traffic collision that took down a power pole" in your writing?
The correct answer is "attribution." Attribution is the act of giving credit to the original source of information when incorporating it into your writing. In this context, by citing the Ourtown Gazette as the source of information regarding the cause of the power outage, the writer is using attribution to acknowledge the origin of the information and provide credibility to their statement.
Is it ethical for a journalist to guarantee the school's football coach that she will portray the team positively in her story in return for receiving information?
The correct answer is "False." It is not ethical for a journalist to promise or guarantee a positive portrayal of a subject, such as a school's football team, in exchange for information. Ethical journalism demands objectivity, fairness, and independence in reporting, and making such promises compromises the integrity and credibility of the journalist and their work. Journalists should strive to provide unbiased and truthful reporting, even if it means covering both positive and negative aspects of a story.
Which Supreme Court case affirmed that school administrators possess the authority to regulate or censor school newspapers under specific circumstances?
The correct answer is "Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier." In this Supreme Court case, it was affirmed that school administrators have the authority to regulate or censor school newspapers in certain circumstances, such as when the content is part of the school's curriculum or when it can be reasonably perceived as representing the school's views. This ruling limited the free speech rights of student journalists in school-sponsored publications, allowing school officials to exercise editorial control in specific situations.
Which ethical standard involves weighing the public's need for information against the possibility of causing harm or discomfort?
The correct answer is "Minimize Harm." This ethical standard requires journalists to carefully consider the potential harm or discomfort that their reporting may cause to individuals or the public. While it is essential to provide information, minimizing harm ensures that the ethical principles of journalism are upheld, and responsible reporting is practiced, especially when sensitive or distressing topics are involved.
Which ethical standard is exemplified by offering context, being cautious not to misrepresent or oversimplify while promoting, previewing, or summarizing a story?
The correct answer is "Seek Truth and Report It." This ethical standard requires journalists to provide accurate and comprehensive information by offering context and avoiding misrepresentation or oversimplification while promoting, previewing, or summarizing a story. By adhering to this standard, journalists prioritize truthfulness and ensure their reporting is fair and reliable.
What term best describes the situation when a student, standing before a sizable audience in the cafeteria, engages in spreading false rumors about an ex-boyfriend?
The correct answer is "slander." When a student verbally spreads false rumors about an ex-boyfriend in front of a large audience, it falls under the category of slander, which refers to making defamatory statements spoken aloud, harming the reputation of the individual involved. Slander is a form of harmful speech that can lead to legal consequences and is generally considered unethical and damaging to the subject's reputation.
Which of the following best describes the situation where a student writes an article in the school newspaper containing baseless rumors about a teacher at their school?
The correct answer is "libel." When a student writes an article in the school newspaper containing baseless rumors about a teacher, it falls under the category of libel, which refers to making false and defamatory statements in written form, harming the reputation of the individual involved. Libel is a serious offense in journalism and can have legal consequences.
What forms the basis for ethics?
The basis for ethics is "a group's standards of right and wrong" because ethics often emerge from shared values, beliefs, and norms within a community or society. These collective standards help guide individuals in determining what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable behavior within that particular group's context.
Which landmark Supreme Court case established the standard for free speech within schools, involving two students who protested the Vietnam War by wearing armbands to school?
The correct answer is "Tinker v. Des Moines." This landmark Supreme Court case established the standard for free speech within schools. It involved two students who protested the Vietnam War by wearing armbands to school, and the Court ruled in favor of the students, stating that their symbolic speech was protected under the First Amendment as long as it did not substantially disrupt the school environment.
What serves as the foundation or basis for morals?
The correct answer is "personal standards." Morals are typically based on an individual's personal beliefs, values, and principles about what is right and wrong. These moral standards may be influenced by various factors, including upbringing, culture, religion, and personal experiences, leading to a unique and subjective sense of morality for each person.
What is the essential requirement that must be demonstrated to file a defamation lawsuit?
In a defamation lawsuit, the essential requirement is to demonstrate that your reputation was damaged as a result of false and harmful statements made about you. The focus is on the actual harm caused to your reputation, rather than the intent of the person making the statements or whether others agreed with them.
Can a source, who was previously a gang member and is concerned about her safety, ethically receive ____ while keeping her identity confidential?
The correct answer is "anonymity." Given the source's past as a former gang member and her safety concerns, it is ethically acceptable to grant her anonymity when providing information for a news story or other journalistic purposes. This ensures her protection while allowing her to share valuable information without fear of retaliation or harm.
Is it true or false that ethics and morals are the same thing?
The correct answer is "FALSE." While ethics and morals are closely related concepts, they are not entirely equivalent. Ethics generally refers to a set of principles or guidelines that govern the conduct of individuals or groups, often influenced by societal norms and professional codes. On the other hand, morals typically pertain to personal beliefs and values regarding right and wrong, which may be shaped by factors such as religion, culture, and upbringing. Although they share similarities, the two terms have distinct nuances and applications in various contexts.
What characteristics or actions would lead to something being classified as obscene?
The correct answer is "offends local standards." Something is classified as obscene when it goes against the prevailing community or societal norms, customs, or values. This classification is subjective and may vary based on the cultural context and the sensitivities of the local population.