Activity 5: Law and Ethics Test

The Task

Your team will now test the knowledge you have gained in the previous exercises. Answer the following questions based on the information you have gathered. You may refer to any of the resources you have already used. Each team will submit one test with the answers you have agreed upon. Where necessary, document any sources you have used in answering the questions on the test. Good luck!

Test

1. What document guarantees freedom of the press?
2. What is fair, neutral reporting called?
3. What ethical principle of the press dictated that if you print criti of someone, you should allow that person to respond in the same story?
4. Who is considered the publisher of the school newspaper in Massachusetts?
5. What is the name of the organization that will provide free legal advice and representation to student journalists?
6. What ethical principle of journalism demands that reporters identify where their information comes from and that they not use anonymous sources?
7. What is libel?
8. What is slander?
9. What is invasion of privacy?
10. What is muckraking?
11. What is sensationalism?
12. What is yellow journalism?
13. Why are most articles featured in "yellow journalism" publications not considered libelous?
14. What do you have to prove to sue for libel?
15. What does a celebrity or public official have to prove to sue for libel? (2 things)
16. Who was the first celebrity to win a libel suit against the National Enquirer?
17. What is the name of the session that public officials can enter where you are not allowed to attend, and therefore cannot take notes?
18. What is it that gives you the right to critique artistic performances without fear of being sued?
19. What is the name of the case that gave principal's the right to censor student publications?
20. What are the major points of Massachusetts law regarding student publications?

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