Media Law & Ethics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for Media Law & Ethics review.

First Amendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Defamation

Untrue declarations about private citizens that might damage their reputations.

Libel

Written defamation.

Slander

Spoken defamation.

Publication

The meaning of the statement is understood in newspapers, magazines, books, online, broadcast.

Identification

Being identified by name, even in fiction, or by job, description, characteristics, etc.

Defamation

If it tends to harm the reputation of another as to lower him in the estimation of the community or to deter third persons from associating with him.

Falsity

Information must be proven false.

Fault

Knew or should have known in the exercise of reasonable care.

Injury

Financial damage, damage to reputation, mental anguish.

Consent

A defense against libel & slander.

Truth

A defense against libel & slander; this is the best defense.

Qualified privilege

A defense against libel & slander, along with consent and truth.

Opinion vs. fact

A defense against libel & slander, along with consent, truth, and qualified privilege.

Parody/satire

A defense against libel & slander, along with consent, truth, qualified privilege, and opinion vs. fact.

Public figures and libel & slander

Must prove other libel elements and also prove actual malice; Also applies to involuntary public figures.

Plagiarism

Taking someone else's work and representing that material as your own.

Ethics

Moral rules of good conduct that guide one's actions.

SPJ Code of Ethics

Seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, be accountable.