COMM 403 Libel Exam Questions With
Complete Answers
Why can't the speech of a senator speaking on the floor of the Senate while the Senate is
in session be the basis of a successful libel suit?
A It receives an absolute privilege from libel suits.
B Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution protects such speech.
C The framers valued robust debate in Congress.
D. All of the above - ANSWER D. All of the above
2. Which of the following is privileged, that is, it cannot be the basis of a successful libel
suit?
A Testimony by a person on the witness stand during a trial.
B The opening and closing statements of attorneys in a trial.
C The reading, in open court, of the jury's verdict.
D all of the above - ANSWER D all of the above
3. Which of the following is privileged, that is, it cannot be the basis of a successful libel
suit?
A A citizen speaking for or against proposed legislation at a bill hearing.
B A citizen speaking about any issue during the public comment section of a city council
meeting.
, C A county executive recommending policy to the county commissioners during the
monthly meeting of the county commissioners.
D A and B above
E all of the above - ANSWER E all of the above
4. If a communication receives a qualified privilege from libel suits, there is also always
an underlying communication on which it is based that receives an absolute privilege.
A True.
B False. - ANSWER A True.
5. What is reckless disregard for the truth?
A Publishing something with a high degree of awareness that it is probably false.
B Publishing something with serious doubts as to whether or not it is true.
C One of the forms of actual malice.
D all of the above - ANSWER D all of the above
If a person has been arrested for committing murder, but has not yet been on trial, what
should she be called in a newspaper story?
A whatever the police call her
B murderer
C the person who was arrested in connection with the murder
D the criminal
Complete Answers
Why can't the speech of a senator speaking on the floor of the Senate while the Senate is
in session be the basis of a successful libel suit?
A It receives an absolute privilege from libel suits.
B Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution protects such speech.
C The framers valued robust debate in Congress.
D. All of the above - ANSWER D. All of the above
2. Which of the following is privileged, that is, it cannot be the basis of a successful libel
suit?
A Testimony by a person on the witness stand during a trial.
B The opening and closing statements of attorneys in a trial.
C The reading, in open court, of the jury's verdict.
D all of the above - ANSWER D all of the above
3. Which of the following is privileged, that is, it cannot be the basis of a successful libel
suit?
A A citizen speaking for or against proposed legislation at a bill hearing.
B A citizen speaking about any issue during the public comment section of a city council
meeting.
, C A county executive recommending policy to the county commissioners during the
monthly meeting of the county commissioners.
D A and B above
E all of the above - ANSWER E all of the above
4. If a communication receives a qualified privilege from libel suits, there is also always
an underlying communication on which it is based that receives an absolute privilege.
A True.
B False. - ANSWER A True.
5. What is reckless disregard for the truth?
A Publishing something with a high degree of awareness that it is probably false.
B Publishing something with serious doubts as to whether or not it is true.
C One of the forms of actual malice.
D all of the above - ANSWER D all of the above
If a person has been arrested for committing murder, but has not yet been on trial, what
should she be called in a newspaper story?
A whatever the police call her
B murderer
C the person who was arrested in connection with the murder
D the criminal
