Certified Journalism Educator CJE Practice Exam | Journalism
Writing, Editing, Law, Ethics & Media Practice Questions and
answers 2026/2027
Question 1
What landmark 1931 Supreme Court ruling established that prior
restraint by the government is generally unconstitutional, except under
rare, exceptional circumstances such as national security during
wartime?
• A. Near v. Minnesota
• B. Tinker v. Des Moines
• C. New York Times v. Sullivan
• D. Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
Correct Answer: A. Near v. Minnesota
Detailed Rationale: Near v. Minnesota incorporated freedom of the
press under the Fourteenth Amendment and struck down a state law
that allowed prior restraint against "malicious, scandalous and
defamatory" newspapers.
Question 2
What constitutional amendment forms the primary basis for freedom of
speech and freedom of the press in the United States?
• A. First Amendment
• B. Fourth Amendment
, • C. Fifth Amendment
• D. Fourteenth Amendment
Correct Answer: A. First Amendment
Detailed Rationale: The First Amendment explicitly prohibits Congress
(and by incorporation, state and local governments) from abridging
freedom of speech and of the press.
Question 3
In defamation law, what standard of fault must a private figure generally
prove to win a libel lawsuit against a media outlet?
• A. Actual malice
• B. Negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care)
• C. Absolute privilege
• D. Strict liability
Correct Answer: B. Negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care)
Detailed Rationale: Established in Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., private
figures must prove negligence (that the reporter failed to act with
reasonable care), whereas public figures must prove actual malice.
Question 4
What Supreme Court ruling incorporated the First Amendment's
protections of free speech and press so that they apply to state and
local governments through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment?
• A. Gitlow v. New York
, • B. Brandenburg v. Ohio
• C. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
• D. Tinker v. Des Moines
Correct Answer: A. Gitlow v. New York
Detailed Rationale: Gitlow v. New York (1925) was the landmark
decision where the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment
liberties are protected by the Fourteenth Amendment from impairment
by the states.
Question 5
What legal term describes a false statement published about someone
that holds them up to public hatred, ridicule, or contempt, or causes
injury to their professional reputation?
• A. Copyright infringement
• B. Defamation (Libel)
• C. Appropriation
• D. Intrusion
Correct Answer: B. Defamation (Libel)
Detailed Rationale: Defamation encompasses false statements
communicated to a third party that cause reputational harm. Written or
broadcast defamation is classified as libel.
Question 6
What is the legal significance of the Supreme Court ruling in Branzburg
v. Hayes (1972) regarding reporter's privilege?
, • A. It established an absolute federal shield law protecting
journalists from ever testifying.
• B. It ruled that journalists do not have a special First Amendment
right exempting them from grand jury subpoenas, leading states
to pass statutory shield laws.
• C. It declared that anonymous sources are entirely illegal.
• D. It gave journalists absolute immunity from libel lawsuits.
CorrectAnswer: B. It ruled that journalists do not have a special First
Amendment right exempting them from grand jury subpoenas, leading
states to pass statutory shield laws.
Detailed Rationale: Branzburg held that reporters have the same
obligation as ordinary citizens to testify before grand juries, prompting
states to enact reporter shield laws to protect confidential sources.
Question 7
What legal doctrine protects reviewers and critics who publish
unfavorable opinions about public performances, books, or art, as long
as the commentary is based on true facts and does not contain provably
false statements of fact?
• A. Fair comment and criticism
• B. Qualified privilege
• C. Copyright fair use
• D. Absolute privilege
Correct Answer: A. Fair comment and criticism
Writing, Editing, Law, Ethics & Media Practice Questions and
answers 2026/2027
Question 1
What landmark 1931 Supreme Court ruling established that prior
restraint by the government is generally unconstitutional, except under
rare, exceptional circumstances such as national security during
wartime?
• A. Near v. Minnesota
• B. Tinker v. Des Moines
• C. New York Times v. Sullivan
• D. Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
Correct Answer: A. Near v. Minnesota
Detailed Rationale: Near v. Minnesota incorporated freedom of the
press under the Fourteenth Amendment and struck down a state law
that allowed prior restraint against "malicious, scandalous and
defamatory" newspapers.
Question 2
What constitutional amendment forms the primary basis for freedom of
speech and freedom of the press in the United States?
• A. First Amendment
• B. Fourth Amendment
, • C. Fifth Amendment
• D. Fourteenth Amendment
Correct Answer: A. First Amendment
Detailed Rationale: The First Amendment explicitly prohibits Congress
(and by incorporation, state and local governments) from abridging
freedom of speech and of the press.
Question 3
In defamation law, what standard of fault must a private figure generally
prove to win a libel lawsuit against a media outlet?
• A. Actual malice
• B. Negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care)
• C. Absolute privilege
• D. Strict liability
Correct Answer: B. Negligence (failure to exercise reasonable care)
Detailed Rationale: Established in Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., private
figures must prove negligence (that the reporter failed to act with
reasonable care), whereas public figures must prove actual malice.
Question 4
What Supreme Court ruling incorporated the First Amendment's
protections of free speech and press so that they apply to state and
local governments through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment?
• A. Gitlow v. New York
, • B. Brandenburg v. Ohio
• C. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
• D. Tinker v. Des Moines
Correct Answer: A. Gitlow v. New York
Detailed Rationale: Gitlow v. New York (1925) was the landmark
decision where the Supreme Court ruled that the First Amendment
liberties are protected by the Fourteenth Amendment from impairment
by the states.
Question 5
What legal term describes a false statement published about someone
that holds them up to public hatred, ridicule, or contempt, or causes
injury to their professional reputation?
• A. Copyright infringement
• B. Defamation (Libel)
• C. Appropriation
• D. Intrusion
Correct Answer: B. Defamation (Libel)
Detailed Rationale: Defamation encompasses false statements
communicated to a third party that cause reputational harm. Written or
broadcast defamation is classified as libel.
Question 6
What is the legal significance of the Supreme Court ruling in Branzburg
v. Hayes (1972) regarding reporter's privilege?
, • A. It established an absolute federal shield law protecting
journalists from ever testifying.
• B. It ruled that journalists do not have a special First Amendment
right exempting them from grand jury subpoenas, leading states
to pass statutory shield laws.
• C. It declared that anonymous sources are entirely illegal.
• D. It gave journalists absolute immunity from libel lawsuits.
CorrectAnswer: B. It ruled that journalists do not have a special First
Amendment right exempting them from grand jury subpoenas, leading
states to pass statutory shield laws.
Detailed Rationale: Branzburg held that reporters have the same
obligation as ordinary citizens to testify before grand juries, prompting
states to enact reporter shield laws to protect confidential sources.
Question 7
What legal doctrine protects reviewers and critics who publish
unfavorable opinions about public performances, books, or art, as long
as the commentary is based on true facts and does not contain provably
false statements of fact?
• A. Fair comment and criticism
• B. Qualified privilege
• C. Copyright fair use
• D. Absolute privilege
Correct Answer: A. Fair comment and criticism
