Test Your Media Law Knowledge

1. Talk of a satanist inner circle in the Houses of Parliament during the 1990s is the subject of a primetime current affairs TV show. No names are named, you can't guess who they're talking about from the show, and the broadcaster doesn't put the show on the internet. But within an hour thousands of people on Twitter are identifying a retired minister, now a lord, as the ringleader. What is most likely to land in legal trouble?

Tweeting about the television show being an "interesting insight" into 90s politics

Tweeting to ask why the lord in question is trending

Tweeting that you always suspected something was amiss in 90s parliament

Tweeting a link to a satanist conspiracy website, accompanied by the hashtag and asking "does this take the story on Lord X further?" is most likely to land in legal trouble. This action could potentially be seen as defamatory towards Lord X, as it implies a connection between him and satanism without any evidence. It could also be considered spreading false information and potentially damaging Lord X's reputation.

Explanation

Tweeting a link to a satanist conspiracy website, accompanied by the hashtag and asking "does this take the story on Lord X further?" is most likely to land in legal trouble. This action could potentially be seen as defamatory towards Lord X, as it implies a connection between him and satanism without any evidence. It could also be considered spreading false information and potentially damaging Lord X's reputation.

2. Which of the following should you never do from a court room?

Tweet comments made by witnesses when giving evidence

Tweet comments made by judge in open court

Tweet arguments made by barristers when the jury is not in court

Tweet a description of the defendant

Tweeting arguments made by barristers when the jury is not in court is inappropriate because it can potentially influence the jury's decision-making process. The jury should only consider the evidence and arguments presented in the courtroom, and any external influence can compromise the fairness of the trial. Therefore, it is important to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the court proceedings by refraining from sharing such information on social media.

Explanation

Tweeting arguments made by barristers when the jury is not in court is inappropriate because it can potentially influence the jury's decision-making process. The jury should only consider the evidence and arguments presented in the courtroom, and any external influence can compromise the fairness of the trial. Therefore, it is important to maintain the integrity and impartiality of the court proceedings by refraining from sharing such information on social media.

3. As the council meeting begins you set up your laptop, smartphone and GoPro camera, ready to document everything. Before the meeting even gets started, the council leader spots you and your equipment, and promptly has you removed by the police. Which of the following statements is most accurate?

The council leaders have the power to have anyone removed from meetings

You have a right to document council meetings

It is illegal to film council meetings

It is illegal to tweet or liveblog council meetings

In this scenario, the most accurate statement is that "You have a right to document council meetings." This is because documenting council meetings is a form of exercising freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which are protected rights in many democratic societies. However, it is important to note that there may be certain limitations or regulations regarding the manner in which the documentation is done, such as respecting privacy or not causing disruptions. Nonetheless, the council leaders do not have the power to arbitrarily remove someone for documenting the meetings, unless there is a valid legal reason for doing so.

Explanation

In this scenario, the most accurate statement is that "You have a right to document council meetings." This is because documenting council meetings is a form of exercising freedom of speech and freedom of the press, which are protected rights in many democratic societies. However, it is important to note that there may be certain limitations or regulations regarding the manner in which the documentation is done, such as respecting privacy or not causing disruptions. Nonetheless, the council leaders do not have the power to arbitrarily remove someone for documenting the meetings, unless there is a valid legal reason for doing so.

4. A group of protestors storm the Apple store on Regent Street in protest at the company's perceived tax evasion, refusing to leave and handcuffing themselves to chairs, table legs and Macbook Pro chargers. You join the throng to conduct interviews just as the police turn up, and are led to the cells along with anyone else not tied down.Do the police have the right to arrest you? What is the best answer?

Yes, the Apple store is technically private property

No, it is a public gathering

Yes, if you refused to leave when asked by a senior police officer

No, you are not part of the protest

The police have the right to arrest you if you refused to leave when asked by a senior police officer. This is because the Apple store is technically private property, and the police have the authority to enforce the law and maintain order in such situations.

Explanation

The police have the right to arrest you if you refused to leave when asked by a senior police officer. This is because the Apple store is technically private property, and the police have the authority to enforce the law and maintain order in such situations.

5. As a young and enthusiastic local journalist, you turn up early to a council meeting. You are let into the council chamber, and see lying on a table a document marked 'private and confidential'. It describes a series of cuts the council are planning to make to public services. Can you report it? Choose the best legal answer.

Yes, it's likely to be in the public interest

No, it's private and confidential

Yes, as if the council left it lying around, it's their problem

No, the council have a right of privacy before the meeting becomes public

Yes, it's likely to be in the public interest because as a journalist, reporting on the planned cuts to public services is important for the community to be informed about the decisions being made by the council. The document being marked as 'private and confidential' does not necessarily prevent its reporting, especially if it reveals information that affects the public and their access to essential services.

Explanation

Yes, it's likely to be in the public interest because as a journalist, reporting on the planned cuts to public services is important for the community to be informed about the decisions being made by the council. The document being marked as 'private and confidential' does not necessarily prevent its reporting, especially if it reveals information that affects the public and their access to essential services.

6. Scanning through Instagram you see some photographs that would perfectly complement the travel piece you have just finished. There's no one in the photo, so they're ok to use, right?

Yes, if they're on Instagram, it's in the public domain

No, find a royalty-free image

Yes, your reuse of them is fair use

The correct answer is "No, find a royalty-free image." This is because just because a photograph is on Instagram does not mean it is in the public domain or free to use. The photographer still holds the copyright to the image, and using it without permission or proper licensing would be a violation of their rights. To avoid any legal issues, it is best to find a royalty-free image that can be used without infringing on anyone's copyright.

Explanation

The correct answer is "No, find a royalty-free image." This is because just because a photograph is on Instagram does not mean it is in the public domain or free to use. The photographer still holds the copyright to the image, and using it without permission or proper licensing would be a violation of their rights. To avoid any legal issues, it is best to find a royalty-free image that can be used without infringing on anyone's copyright.

7. On a story about a local businessman, a rival posts a number of comments with tales of mistreating workers and costcutting. The subject of the story and comments gets in touch, demanding that the comments are removed. Do you take down the post? Which most accurately describes the current law?

Yes, because otherwise you run the risk of being sued in defamation

No, because you have a right to free speech and this is in the public interest

No, but you give him a right of reply, which will help defend any defamation claim

No, because the comment poster has identified himself

The correct answer is No, because the comment poster has identified himself. In this situation, the comment poster has taken responsibility for their comments by identifying themselves. Therefore, removing the post would not be necessary as the comment poster can be held accountable for their statements.

Explanation

The correct answer is No, because the comment poster has identified himself. In this situation, the comment poster has taken responsibility for their comments by identifying themselves. Therefore, removing the post would not be necessary as the comment poster can be held accountable for their statements.

8. A source gives you the keys, passwords, codes and login information for their business partner's private office, where they promise you will find proof of money laundering and human trafficking. They say you have one night to go in and find all the information you need, but that is all, after which access codes will change.Would following their suggestion break any laws? Choose the best answer.

Yes

No

Yes, but a journalist acting in the public interest has a defence so you'll be ok

Yes, but you have a reasonable chance of not going to prison if you have a good lawyer

The correct answer suggests that following the source's suggestion would indeed break the law. However, it also mentions that having a good lawyer might increase the chances of avoiding imprisonment. This implies that there could be potential legal consequences for accessing someone's private office without authorization, but the outcome may vary depending on the defense presented by a competent lawyer.

Explanation

The correct answer suggests that following the source's suggestion would indeed break the law. However, it also mentions that having a good lawyer might increase the chances of avoiding imprisonment. This implies that there could be potential legal consequences for accessing someone's private office without authorization, but the outcome may vary depending on the defense presented by a competent lawyer.