COMM 2311 Final Exam | UPDATED Questions with Correct Answers | Verified
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Defamation
Any false statement about a person (or organization) that creates public hatred, contempt, or
ridicule, or inflicts injury on reputation.
Libel
A printed falsehood.
Slander
A spoken falsehood.
Defenses of Libel
If the information is true and not published with negligence or malice, it cannot be considered
defamation.
Public Relations Personnel Information Disclosure
Should only provide basic facts, such as confirmation that the person is an employee, job title
and description, and employment dates.
,Copyright of Public Relations Materials
Material is automatically copyrighted when created, even without formal registration.
Importance of Formal Registration
Provides full legal protection, allows companies to take legal action against infringement, and
prevents competitors from misusing materials.
Freelance Photographers' Ownership Rights
They retain ownership of their photos even after selling a print; clients buy only a physical
photo, not the right to reproduce it.
Freelance Writers' Ownership Rights
They retain the right to copyright their writing unless they sign it away in a contract;
organizations only receive a license to use the work.
Copyright Law on Ideas
Copyright law protects only the specific expression of an idea - not the idea itself.
, Co-Conspirator in PR
A person can be named a co-conspirator if they participate in an illegal action, counsel or guide
the policy behind an illegal action, take a major personal part in the illegal action, create or help
run a 'front group', or cooperate in any way that furthers an illegal activity.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Regulates advertising, product publicity, and social media endorsements; PR professionals must
ensure claims are true and can be substantiated.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Regulates financial communication for publicly traded companies; PR professionals must ensure
full and timely disclosure of material information affecting stock value.
Challenges in Internet Age for PR
Includes copyright infringement, unauthorized reposting of content, viral spread of unlicensed
content, monitoring unauthorized use, maintaining accuracy, and FTC monitoring of
endorsements.
Legal Privilege
Solutions
Defamation
Any false statement about a person (or organization) that creates public hatred, contempt, or
ridicule, or inflicts injury on reputation.
Libel
A printed falsehood.
Slander
A spoken falsehood.
Defenses of Libel
If the information is true and not published with negligence or malice, it cannot be considered
defamation.
Public Relations Personnel Information Disclosure
Should only provide basic facts, such as confirmation that the person is an employee, job title
and description, and employment dates.
,Copyright of Public Relations Materials
Material is automatically copyrighted when created, even without formal registration.
Importance of Formal Registration
Provides full legal protection, allows companies to take legal action against infringement, and
prevents competitors from misusing materials.
Freelance Photographers' Ownership Rights
They retain ownership of their photos even after selling a print; clients buy only a physical
photo, not the right to reproduce it.
Freelance Writers' Ownership Rights
They retain the right to copyright their writing unless they sign it away in a contract;
organizations only receive a license to use the work.
Copyright Law on Ideas
Copyright law protects only the specific expression of an idea - not the idea itself.
, Co-Conspirator in PR
A person can be named a co-conspirator if they participate in an illegal action, counsel or guide
the policy behind an illegal action, take a major personal part in the illegal action, create or help
run a 'front group', or cooperate in any way that furthers an illegal activity.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Regulates advertising, product publicity, and social media endorsements; PR professionals must
ensure claims are true and can be substantiated.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Regulates financial communication for publicly traded companies; PR professionals must ensure
full and timely disclosure of material information affecting stock value.
Challenges in Internet Age for PR
Includes copyright infringement, unauthorized reposting of content, viral spread of unlicensed
content, monitoring unauthorized use, maintaining accuracy, and FTC monitoring of
endorsements.
Legal Privilege
