COMM 4303 Chapter 5- Test 2

Which of the following is an example of an all-purpose public figure? a) a lifeguard at the city pool b) a Communication Law professor c) the mayor of a small town d) David Letterman

D

In libel law, the libelous material must contain ____________. This asserts an untrue fact that would cause harm to the plaintiffs reputation in the mind of "right thinking persons." a) defamatory language b) inflammatory language c) the clear and present danger test d) the Smith Act

A

Which of the following is an example of slander? a) a blog reporting the proven misuse of public funds b) a public speech falsely accusing an individual of criminal activity c) a news broadcast reporting the verdict in a criminal case d) a newspaper article reporting facts of a story

B

In libel law, the libelous material must show the _________ of the plaintiff.

Identification

A rule used by some courts to interpret allegedly libelous statements that might have multiple interpretations according to the most innocent interpretation is _________.

innocent construction rule

An individual who voluntarily injects him or herself or is drawn into a particular public controversy and thereby becomes a public figure for a limited range of issues is by definition a _______.

limited purpose public figure

In libel law, an affirmative defense in which the defendant asserts a justification for having defamed the plaintiff is _____.

privilege

The distinction between "libel per se" and "libel per quod" was minimized in the case of a) Curtis Publishing v. Butts b) Neiman-Marcus Co. v. Laitt, c) New York Times Co. V. Sullivan d) Gertz v. Welch

D

In order to have a legally sufficient case for libel, a plaintiff must meet how many requirements? a) three b) four c) five d) six

D

The bedrock law "truth is not libelous" was put into place by the landmark case of a) New York Times Co. v. United States b) United States v. Progressive c) Snepp v. United States d) The Crown v. Zenger

D

Which of the following is an example of libel? a) a rumor claiming you cheated on a test b) a billboard advertisement claiming one product to be superior to another c) a newspaper story falsely accusing you of murder d) a speech by a political candidate accusing another candidate of stealing

C

An antiquated crime in which a publisher could be charged with defamation by the government was known as

Criminal libel

In libel law, a defendant cannot be found liable for defamation unless his/her statement was not true. This is known as _____.

Falsity

Printed or written statements that are untrue and cause harm are known as

Libel

A breach of a duty that results in reasonably foreseeable harm is known as

Negligence

A defense asserting that so long as a medium accurately recounts all sides of an argument it acts as a neutral conveyance of information is known as _______.

Neutral reportage

Monetary compensation designed to remedy the losses suffered by the plaintiff is ______.

actual damages

In libel law, the knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for truth is known as _____.

actual malice

The landmark case of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan established the principle of ____.

actual malice

The requirement in cases of libel against public officials that the publisher acted with knowledge of falsity or a reckless disregard for the truth is

actual malice

Holding up of a person to ridicule, scorn or contempt to a respectable and considerable part of the community is _____.

defamation

For the purposes of a libel case, any dissemination of a defamatory statement, not strictly in print is called _____.

publication

A type of damage award not intended to make the plaintiff whole, but to act as an additional deterrent to the type of conduct the plaintiff engaged in is _______.

punitive damages

Spoken defamation is known as ____.

slander

A final decision by a judge without a trial that dismisses a case that has no chance for success is a _______.

summary judgement