Test Your Media Law Knowledge
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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?
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Tweeting about the television show being an "interesting insight" into 90s politics
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Tweeting a link to a satanist conspiracy website, accompanied by the hashtag and asking "does this take the story on Lord X further?"
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Tweeting to ask why the lord in question is trending
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Tweeting that you always suspected something was amiss in 90s parliament
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Test your knowledge with our completely hypothetical and fictitious array of media law questions
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- 2.
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?
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Yes, because otherwise you run the risk of being sued in defamation
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No, because you have a right to free speech and this is in the public interest
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No, but you give him a right of reply, which will help defend any defamation claim
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No, because the comment poster has identified himself
Correct Answer
A. No, because the comment poster has identified himselfExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following should you never do from a court room?
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Tweet comments made by witnesses when giving evidence
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Tweet comments made by judge in open court
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Tweet arguments made by barristers when the jury is not in court
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Tweet a description of the defendant
Correct Answer
A. Tweet arguments made by barristers when the jury is not in courtExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 4.
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?
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Yes, if they're on Instagram, it's in the public domain
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No, find a royalty-free image
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Yes, your reuse of them is fair use
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No, Instagram have first refusal on the third-party use of images uploaded to the service, so you would have to contact Instagram and the photographer
Correct Answer
A. No, find a royalty-free imageExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 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.
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Yes, it's likely to be in the public interest
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No, it's private and confidential
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Yes, as if the council left it lying around, it's their problem
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No, the council have a right of privacy before the meeting becomes public
Correct Answer
A. Yes, it's likely to be in the public interestExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 6.
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?
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The council leaders have the power to have anyone removed from meetings
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You have a right to document council meetings
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It is illegal to film council meetings
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It is illegal to tweet or liveblog council meetings
Correct Answer
A. You have a right to document council meetingsExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 7.
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.
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Yes
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No
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Yes, but a journalist acting in the public interest has a defence so you'll be ok
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Yes, but you have a reasonable chance of not going to prison if you have a good lawyer
Correct Answer
A. Yes, but you have a reasonable chance of not going to prison if you have a good lawyerExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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- 8.
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?
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Yes, the Apple store is technically private property
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No, it is a public gathering
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Yes, if you refused to leave when asked by a senior police officer
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No, you are not part of the protest
Correct Answer
A. Yes, if you refused to leave when asked by a senior police officerExplanation
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.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Aug 27, 2024Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Oct 09, 2014Quiz Created by
Rachelb1
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