Practice Final Exam Questions

True-False

1. Human sources are often less reliable than physical sources because the former have interests to protect. T

2. “Leaks” provide good sources of news, are mostly accurate and not all too-often damaging to one and all. F

3.In many states, federal laws and state laws are in conflict when it comes to rules on telephone recording. T

4. A journalist need not understand material before it can be put into a story. F

5. Libel applies to all subjects, living or dead F

Multiple Choice

1. Which over-riding ethical question is raised on a T.V. report about a very famous person suffering from AIDS?

a) Is this a conflict of interest?

b) Is this story in poor taste?

c) Has the person been defamed?

d) Is it invasion of the person’s privacy?

e) Is the person going to file a lawsuit?

2. The dangers of checkbook journalism are

a) a paid interviewer won’t do a good job because he’s on the take

b) A paid informant will tell all to readers in order to appease those who paid him

c) such interviews go to the highest bidder in order to appease those who are picking up the tab

d) a paid interviewer will sensationalize information for readers in order to appease those who paid him

e) the interviewer has a hidden agenda to write poorly of the payee

3. Code of ethics established by professional and industry groups

a) have the force of law - violators face stiff penalties

b) are voluntary and have no penalties

c) strictly regulate the personal and professional conducts of writers only

d) have the force of law, but are rarely enforced

e) must be approved by the government before becoming law

4. Which of these types of defamation is generally spoken?

a) Libel

b) Slander

c) Junket

d) Quid Pro Quo

5. When you take comments on "Background, " what does this mean?

a) run the quotes in the newspaper

b) use the information as the basis for your story, telling all where you got it

c) use it as information, it may or may not wind up in print. Do not name the source who gave it to you

d) do not print any of it.