Question 1

The current Supreme Court maintains a ban on any form of still or video cameras at its hearings and deliberations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

In states that allow cameras in the courtroom, judges can legally make which of the following time, place, and manner restrictions?

Accepted Answer

A)  limitations on supplemental lighting 
B)  limitations on voice-over or narration 
C)  requiring media to set-up their own "pool system" 
D)  all of the above 
E)  judges cannot make any of these restrictions because they would be ruled an unconstitutional form of prior restraint 
A)  limitations on supplemental lighting 
B)  limitations on voice-over or narration 
C)  requiring media to set-up their own "pool system" 
D)  all of the above 
E)  judges cannot make any of these restrictions because they would be ruled an unconstitutional form of prior restraint D

Question 3

Materials that are not produced by a journalist, but are used as sources (such as photocopies of government records or other materials) are called

Accepted Answer

A)  work product materials 
B)  documentary materials 
C)  writ of mandamus 
A)  work product materials 
B)  documentary materials 
C)  writ of mandamus B

Question 4

In addition to determining that judges have the authority to deal with pre-trial publicity and maintain a proper courtroom atmosphere, what other determination came out of the Supreme Court ruling in Sheppard v. Maxwell?

Accepted Answer

A)  sequestering a jury is impractical and often unnecessary 
B)  it is unlikely that a "perfect jury" can be found that has no knowledge of a case, so the emphasis should be on finding jurors who may know something about a case but can still keep an open mind 
C)  cameras in the courtroom will increase the likelihood of a defendant getting a fair trial 
D)  shield laws often result in unfair trials because defendants cannot challenge the evidence against them 
A)  sequestering a jury is impractical and often unnecessary 
B)  it is unlikely that a "perfect jury" can be found that has no knowledge of a case, so the emphasis should be on finding jurors who may know something about a case but can still keep an open mind 
C)  cameras in the courtroom will increase the likelihood of a defendant getting a fair trial 
D)  shield laws often result in unfair trials because defendants cannot challenge the evidence against them

Question 5

A federal shield law enacted in 1994 has made all state shield laws meaningless.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The term "sunshine laws" is a general term that refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  local television station policies regarding weather forecasts 
B)  judges' authority to control conduct in the classroom 
C)  judges' responsibility to ensure a defendant's right to a fair trial 
D)  the requirement that governmental bodies must open their meetings to the public 
E)  journalists' right to protect sources and confidential materials 
A)  local television station policies regarding weather forecasts 
B)  judges' authority to control conduct in the classroom 
C)  judges' responsibility to ensure a defendant's right to a fair trial 
D)  the requirement that governmental bodies must open their meetings to the public 
E)  journalists' right to protect sources and confidential materials

Question 7

On both Irvin v. Dowd and Sheppard v. Maxwell, the U.S. Supreme Court made similar rulings. What ruling?

Accepted Answer

A)  excessive pre-trial publicity and media coverage of the trials themselves led to unfair trials for the defendants 
B)  excessive pre-trial publicity and media coverage of the trials themselves did not lead to unfair trials for the defendants 
A)  excessive pre-trial publicity and media coverage of the trials themselves led to unfair trials for the defendants 
B)  excessive pre-trial publicity and media coverage of the trials themselves did not lead to unfair trials for the defendants

Question 8

In the case of Murphy v. Florida, the Supreme Court made which of the following determinations?

Accepted Answer

A)  students should always turn off their cell phones before class 
B)  excessive pre-trial publicity led to an unfair trial 
C)  there was a great deal of pre-trial publicity, but just having some knowledge of the case does not automatically create a biased jury 
A)  students should always turn off their cell phones before class 
B)  excessive pre-trial publicity led to an unfair trial 
C)  there was a great deal of pre-trial publicity, but just having some knowledge of the case does not automatically create a biased jury

Question 9

Materials produced by the journalist during the process of developing a story (such as hand-written notes, audio or videotapes, computer disks, and drafts of stories) are called

Accepted Answer

A)  work product materials 
B)  documentary materials 
C)  writ of mandamus 
A)  work product materials 
B)  documentary materials 
C)  writ of mandamus

Question 10

Since 1980, cameras have been customarily allowed in federal courts, but are prohibited in state courts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 restricted the government's authority to do what?

Accepted Answer

A)  confiscate cellular telephones when they cause a disturbance 
B)  search newsrooms and confiscate reporters' notes and tapes 
C)  release results of medical tests contained in personnel files 
D)  open the mail of prisoners corresponding with journalists 
E)  release the salary information of government employees 
A)  confiscate cellular telephones when they cause a disturbance 
B)  search newsrooms and confiscate reporters' notes and tapes 
C)  release results of medical tests contained in personnel files 
D)  open the mail of prisoners corresponding with journalists 
E)  release the salary information of government employees

Question 12

State shield laws around the country are all consistent in the level of protection they provide to journalists seeking to protect their sources and materials.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

In the case of Branzburg v. Hayes, the Supreme Court made which of the following, which is still the prevailing common law today?

Accepted Answer

A)  the government could not exercise prior restraint or punish the media for publishing or broadcasting accurate information that was legally obtained 
B)  journalists don't have absolute privilege; in some cases the needs of law enforcement outweigh the needs of journalists to keep information secret 
C)  revealing someone's sexual orientation is not considered groups for a private facts case 
A)  the government could not exercise prior restraint or punish the media for publishing or broadcasting accurate information that was legally obtained 
B)  journalists don't have absolute privilege; in some cases the needs of law enforcement outweigh the needs of journalists to keep information secret 
C)  revealing someone's sexual orientation is not considered groups for a private facts case

Question 14

In states that do not have shield laws, judges may still allow journalists to protect their sources and/or protect confidential information under a broader, common-law concept known as

Accepted Answer

A)  freedom of information 
B)  writ of mandamus 
C)  reporter privilege 
D)  the sunshine law 
E)  the Booth Rule 
A)  freedom of information 
B)  writ of mandamus 
C)  reporter privilege 
D)  the sunshine law 
E)  the Booth Rule

Question 15

In State v. Lashinsky and City of Oak Creek v. King, state supreme courts made which determination, which has since been cited in similar cases in other states?

Accepted Answer

A)  in states without shield laws, judges still have the option of applying the principle of "journalistic privilege" and allowing reporters to protect sources 
B)  journalists do not always have a "First Amendment right of access" to accident scenes and can sometimes be required to stay away because of public safety and the privacy rights of the injured 
C)  student journalists do not have the same First Amendment rights as professional journalists 
D)  cameras in the courtroom have been proven to be a distraction to jurors and court officers 
E)  the Freedom of Information Act can be applied to state government records as well as federal government records 
A)  in states without shield laws, judges still have the option of applying the principle of "journalistic privilege" and allowing reporters to protect sources 
B)  journalists do not always have a "First Amendment right of access" to accident scenes and can sometimes be required to stay away because of public safety and the privacy rights of the injured 
C)  student journalists do not have the same First Amendment rights as professional journalists 
D)  cameras in the courtroom have been proven to be a distraction to jurors and court officers 
E)  the Freedom of Information Act can be applied to state government records as well as federal government records

Question 16

A "writ of mandamus" is

Accepted Answer

A)  a document issued by the court that prohibits jurors from reading media accounts of a trial in which they are involved 
B)  a Supreme Court ruling that says, "if we've told you once, we've told you a thousand times, we will not hear your case" 
C)  a decision by the court that excessive pre-trial publicity has violated a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial 
D)  a judge's gag order limiting trial lawyers from speaking with the press 
E)  a written document issued by a court or government official instructing a government agency to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request 
A)  a document issued by the court that prohibits jurors from reading media accounts of a trial in which they are involved 
B)  a Supreme Court ruling that says, "if we've told you once, we've told you a thousand times, we will not hear your case" 
C)  a decision by the court that excessive pre-trial publicity has violated a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial 
D)  a judge's gag order limiting trial lawyers from speaking with the press 
E)  a written document issued by a court or government official instructing a government agency to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request

Question 17

Judges cannot require the formation of media pools because they are a form of prior restraint and an example of "playing favorites" among the media.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The exemption most recently added to the list of FOIA exemptions deals with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  personnel and medical files 
B)  critical infrastructure such as information dealing with water supplies, electricity, and communication networks 
C)  agency rules and practices 
D)  confidential business information and trade secrets 
E)  information regarding banks and banking regulations 
A)  personnel and medical files 
B)  critical infrastructure such as information dealing with water supplies, electricity, and communication networks 
C)  agency rules and practices 
D)  confidential business information and trade secrets 
E)  information regarding banks and banking regulations

Question 19

In the majority of state shield laws, there are three conditions that officials must establish to over-ride them and require journalists to provide information or identify sources. Which of the following IS NOT one of those three?

Accepted Answer

A)  the officials must have exhausted all other possible sources of for the same information 
B)  the information must be part of a public record that was obtained illegally 
C)  the journalist must have knowledge of a specific crime 
D)  the need to obtain the information must be greater than the journalist's need to keep it secret 
A)  the officials must have exhausted all other possible sources of for the same information 
B)  the information must be part of a public record that was obtained illegally 
C)  the journalist must have knowledge of a specific crime 
D)  the need to obtain the information must be greater than the journalist's need to keep it secret

Question 20

"Executive session" refers to what?

Accepted Answer

A)  part of a government meeting that is open to the media but closed to the public 
B)  part of a government meeting that is open to the public but closed to the media 
C)  part of a government meeting that is open to both media and the public 
D)  part of a government meeting that is closed to both media and the public 
A)  part of a government meeting that is open to the media but closed to the public 
B)  part of a government meeting that is open to the public but closed to the media 
C)  part of a government meeting that is open to both media and the public 
D)  part of a government meeting that is closed to both media and the public

The current Supreme Court maintains a ban on any form of still or video cameras at its hearings and deliberations.

In states that allow cameras in the courtroom, judges can legally make which of the following time, place, and manner restrictions?

Materials that are not produced by a journalist, but are used as sources (such as photocopies of government records or other materials) are called

In addition to determining that judges have the authority to deal with pre-trial publicity and maintain a proper courtroom atmosphere, what other determination came out of the Supreme Court ruling in Sheppard v. Maxwell?

A federal shield law enacted in 1994 has made all state shield laws meaningless.

The term "sunshine laws" is a general term that refers to

On both Irvin v. Dowd and Sheppard v. Maxwell, the U.S. Supreme Court made similar rulings. What ruling?

In the case of Murphy v. Florida, the Supreme Court made which of the following determinations?

Materials produced by the journalist during the process of developing a story (such as hand-written notes, audio or videotapes, computer disks, and drafts of stories) are called

Since 1980, cameras have been customarily allowed in federal courts, but are prohibited in state courts.

The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 restricted the government's authority to do what?

State shield laws around the country are all consistent in the level of protection they provide to journalists seeking to protect their sources and materials.

In the case of Branzburg v. Hayes, the Supreme Court made which of the following, which is still the prevailing common law today?

In states that do not have shield laws, judges may still allow journalists to protect their sources and/or protect confidential information under a broader, common-law concept known as

In State v. Lashinsky and City of Oak Creek v. King, state supreme courts made which determination, which has since been cited in similar cases in other states?

A "writ of mandamus" is

Judges cannot require the formation of media pools because they are a form of prior restraint and an example of "playing favorites" among the media.

The exemption most recently added to the list of FOIA exemptions deals with which of the following?

In the majority of state shield laws, there are three conditions that officials must establish to over-ride them and require journalists to provide information or identify sources. Which of the following IS NOT one of those three?

"Executive session" refers to what?

Getting Started : Basic Concepts and Definitions

Overview of the First Amendmen

Political Speech

Sexual Expression and Violence

Campus Issues

Defamation

Privacy

Broadcasting and Cable

The Internet and Social Media

Filters

Exam 8: Problems in Newsgathering

The current Supreme Court maintains a ban on any form of still or video cameras at its hearings and deliberations.

In states that allow cameras in the courtroom, judges can legally make which of the following time, place, and manner restrictions?

Materials that are not produced by a journalist, but are used as sources (such as photocopies of government records or other materials) are called

In addition to determining that judges have the authority to deal with pre-trial publicity and maintain a proper courtroom atmosphere, what other determination came out of the Supreme Court ruling in Sheppard v. Maxwell?

A federal shield law enacted in 1994 has made all state shield laws meaningless.

The term "sunshine laws" is a general term that refers to

On both Irvin v. Dowd and Sheppard v. Maxwell, the U.S. Supreme Court made similar rulings. What ruling?

In the case of Murphy v. Florida, the Supreme Court made which of the following determinations?

Materials produced by the journalist during the process of developing a story (such as hand-written notes, audio or videotapes, computer disks, and drafts of stories) are called

Since 1980, cameras have been customarily allowed in federal courts, but are prohibited in state courts.

The Privacy Protection Act of 1980 restricted the government's authority to do what?

State shield laws around the country are all consistent in the level of protection they provide to journalists seeking to protect their sources and materials.

In the case of Branzburg v. Hayes, the Supreme Court made which of the following, which is still the prevailing common law today?

In states that do not have shield laws, judges may still allow journalists to protect their sources and/or protect confidential information under a broader, common-law concept known as

In State v. Lashinsky and City of Oak Creek v. King, state supreme courts made which determination, which has since been cited in similar cases in other states?

A "writ of mandamus" is

Judges cannot require the formation of media pools because they are a form of prior restraint and an example of "playing favorites" among the media.

The exemption most recently added to the list of FOIA exemptions deals with which of the following?

In the majority of state shield laws, there are three conditions that officials must establish to over-ride them and require journalists to provide information or identify sources. Which of the following IS NOT one of those three?

"Executive session" refers to what?

Getting Started : Basic Concepts and Definitions

Overview of the First Amendmen

Political Speech

Sexual Expression and Violence

Campus Issues

Defamation

Privacy

Broadcasting and Cable

The Internet and Social Media

Filters