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WorksheetsUnderstanding Journalism Laws and Ethics
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
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
A journalist is covering a protest. What should they do to ensure their reporting is ethical?
Only interview people who agree with their views
Present facts from multiple perspectives
Ignore the facts and write their opinion
Only use information from social media
If a news outlet consistently uses language that favors one political party, what is this an example of?
Balanced reporting
Media bias
Fact-checking
Privacy rights
A journalist finds a rumor online about a local official. What should they do before publishing?
Publish the rumor as news
Investigate and verify the information with credible sources
Ignore the story completely
Ask friends if it’s true
Why is it important for journalists to avoid bias in their reporting?
To make stories more entertaining
To ensure the news is fair and trustworthy
To attract more readers
To support their own opinions
A journalist is asked to write a story about a student accused of cheating. What should the journalist consider before publishing the student’s name?
Whether the information is of public interest and respects privacy rights
If the story will get more clicks
If the student is popular
If the teacher approves
How can a journalist recognize their own potential biases when reporting a story?
By only interviewing people they agree with
By reflecting on their own opinions and seeking diverse perspectives
By ignoring the topic
By writing only about topics they like
A news organization discovers an error in a published article. What is the most ethical course of action?
Ignore the mistake
Correct the error and inform readers of the correction
Delete the article without explanation
Blame the source
A journalist is covering a sensitive story involving a minor. What steps should they take to balance the public’s right to know with the minor’s privacy?
Publish all details immediately
Withhold identifying information and consider the impact of publication
Interview the minor without permission
Ignore privacy laws
How can fact-checking help reduce the spread of misinformation in journalism?
By making stories more exciting
By ensuring only accurate information is published
By allowing rumors to spread
By ignoring sources
A journalist is assigned to report on a controversial issue. What is a strategic way to ensure the story is balanced and fair?
Only present one side of the issue
Interview sources from all sides and present evidence for each perspective
Use only anonymous sources
Avoid fact-checking
