Media Law and Ethics Exam 3 Questions with Complete Solutions

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - ANSWER-This act gives United States citizens the right to access information from the government. It is often described as the law that keeps citizens "in the know" Public Authorities are obliged to publish certain information about their activities Members of the public are entitled to file requests for information to the government, however, this information can be denied Sunshine Laws - ANSWER-These are not federally enforced bodies of law, however, all states including the District of Columbia are required to have sunshine laws Sunshine laws make meetings, records, votes, deliberations and other official actions open to the public for observation, participation and inspection Sunshine laws require government meetings to be held with advanced notice and at times and places that are accessible and convenient for the public Emergency situations are an exemption to sunshine laws Qualified privilege for a journalist - ANSWER-This balances a journalists interest in confidentiality in relation to the party seeking the reports evidence It can be overcome if the information is: • probable cause • lack of alternatives • compelling interest Journalists can be subpoenaed and held in contempt of court if they still refuse to reveal information (shield laws come into play) Confidentiality for sources - ANSWER-Journalistic privilege in the United States for journalists to offer information sources confidentiality It prohibits courts to force journalists from forcing journalists into revealing their sources It is based on the privilege that if sources were not offered this privilege that they would not reveal information that they know IE: chilling effect