Free Bachelor of Journalism: Ethics and Legal Principles Questions and Answers

Question 1

Can a source, who was previously a gang member and is concerned about her safety, ethically receive ____ while keeping her identity confidential?

Accepted Answer

anonymity

Answer

Anonymity is the practice of concealing a source's identity, which is crucial when a source fears for their safety. Ethically, journalists grant anonymity to protect vulnerable individuals and encourage them to share important information without personal risk. Immunity, the right to review, or control of the story are different concepts not directly related to protecting a source's identity in this context.

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

attribution

Answer

Attribution in journalism means clearly crediting the source of information, as demonstrated by the phrase 'According to the Our town Gazette.' This practice is fundamental for journalistic ethics, ensuring transparency, allowing readers to verify facts, and avoiding plagiarism. It establishes the credibility and origin of reported information.

Question 3

When mistakes are present in published media, what is the appropriate approach for correcting them, and how should attention be handled in such situations?

Accepted Answer

FALSE

Answer

It is a fundamental ethical principle in journalism to promptly and transparently correct any mistakes found in published media. Failing to correct errors undermines the credibility of the publication and erodes public trust. Therefore, the statement implying that correcting mistakes is not the appropriate approach is false.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

FALSE

Answer

It is unethical for a journalist to promise positive coverage in exchange for information. Such an agreement creates a clear conflict of interest, compromising the journalist's independence, objectivity, and commitment to reporting the truth fairly. Journalists must maintain impartiality and avoid any actions that could bias their reporting.

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

libel

Answer

Libel refers to defamation that is published or broadcast in a permanent form, such as a newspaper article. Spreading baseless rumors about a teacher in a school newspaper constitutes written defamation. Slander, in contrast, is spoken defamation.

BSJ - Bachelor of Journalism Practice Test

BSJ - Bachelor of Journalism Practice Test

Free Bachelor of Journalism: Ethics and Legal Principles Questions and Answers