Understanding Journalism Laws and Ethics

What is the main purpose of the First Amendment in relation to journalism?

• To allow journalists to write fiction

• To protect freedom of the press

• To require all news to be positive

• To ban criticism of the government

Which of the following is an example of journalistic ethics?

• Making up quotes

• Reporting facts accurately

• Ignoring sources

• Publishing rumors

What does media bias mean?

• Reporting only sports news

• Favoring one side or perspective in news coverage

• Using large headlines

• Printing stories in color

Which of the following is a basic fact-checking technique?

• Guessing the facts

• Verifying information with multiple sources

• Ignoring the details

• Only using social media posts

What is a journalist’s responsibility regarding privacy rights?

• To publish all private information

• To respect individuals’ privacy unless there is a public interest

• To ignore privacy laws

• To always reveal sources

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of the press?

• Second Amendment

• First Amendment

• Fifth Amendment

• Tenth Amendment

Which of the following best describes an ethical dilemma a journalist might face?

• Deciding what to eat for lunch

• Choosing between reporting the truth and protecting someone’s privacy

• Picking a font for an article

• Deciding which sports team to support

If a news article only presents one side of a controversial issue, what type of bias might this show?

• No bias

• Selection bias

• Weather bias

• Time bias

A journalist receives information from an anonymous source. What is the best way to verify the information?

• Publish it immediately

• Check the information with other reliable sources

• Ignore the information

• Ask the source to write the article

Which scenario best demonstrates respecting privacy rights in journalism?

• Publishing a celebrity’s home address

• Reporting on a public event without revealing private details

• Sharing private medical records

• Posting personal photos without permission