NCTJ ESSENTIAL MEDIA LAW EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GUARANTEED PASS BRAND NEW
2025
What is common law contempt? - CORRECT ANSWER -
>Material which creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice
to legal proceedings which are imminent or pending. Has to be
proved that there was an intent to create such a risk. Applies to
material published before proceedings become active.
What does the COCA define 'publication' as? - CORRECT
ANSWER - >Any writing, speech, broadcast or any
communication addressed to any section of the public including
websites.
When is a criminal case active? (5) - CORRECT ANSWER - >-
When a person has been arrested
-When an arrest warrant is issued
-When a summons for arrest is issued
-When a person is charged orally for a crime
-Or a document specifying their charge is served
When is a criminal case NOT active anymore (5) - CORRECT
ANSWER - >-When the person is released without charge
-When no arrest is made within 12 months
-When the defendant is acquitted or sentenced
-When the defendant is found unfit to be tried
,-When the case is discontinued
Why is there a lower risk of contempt once an appeal has been
lodged? - CORRECT ANSWER - >Although an appeal means that
the case is active again, jurors very rarely hear appeals (unless
it's a re-trial) and therefore, there is less of a risk of prejudicing
a jury.
What must reports of a trial be? (3) - CORRECT ANSWER - >Fair,
accurate and contemporaneous
What kind of material is prejudicial during a trial? (5) - CORRECT
ANSWER - >-Mention of previous convictions
-Suggestion of dishonesty or bad character
-Anything that connects them directly to the crime
-Any suggestion of guilt
-Photographs or descriptions of the defendant
What kind of material is okay to publish during a trial? (4) -
CORRECT ANSWER - >-Basic details of the crime
-Name and charge of the accused
-Basic background about the defendant (Non-prejudicial
information only)
-Tributes, memorials and funerals
What should happen to police appeals following the arrest of
the wanted person? - CORRECT ANSWER - >The information
given by police should be removed and not repeated because
, the arrest warrant and subsequent arrest means that the case
is active.
What is the 'fade factor'? - CORRECT ANSWER - >The fade
factor recognises that the public will have probably forgotten
the details of the crime in its early stages.
What must online providers do in order to avoid contempt? (3)
- CORRECT ANSWER - >-They should take down their sidebars
pointing users towards older stories.
-They may choose to remove the material altogether.
-They should be wary of allowing reader's comments which
may be prejudicial.
When does a civil case become active? - CORRECT ANSWER -
>When a date for the hearing or trial has been fixed.
Why is the risk of contempt lower in civil cases? - CORRECT
ANSWER - >Because most civil cases have no jury. There is,
however, a risk of influencing a potential witness.
How many defences to contempt are there? What are they
called? - CORRECT ANSWER - >Three. Section 3 (innocent
publication), section 4 (Fair and accurate reporting) and section
5 (discussion of public affairs).
Define 'summary proceedings' - CORRECT ANSWER - >Hearings
in which magistrates try or sentence defendants
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GUARANTEED PASS BRAND NEW
2025
What is common law contempt? - CORRECT ANSWER -
>Material which creates a substantial risk of serious prejudice
to legal proceedings which are imminent or pending. Has to be
proved that there was an intent to create such a risk. Applies to
material published before proceedings become active.
What does the COCA define 'publication' as? - CORRECT
ANSWER - >Any writing, speech, broadcast or any
communication addressed to any section of the public including
websites.
When is a criminal case active? (5) - CORRECT ANSWER - >-
When a person has been arrested
-When an arrest warrant is issued
-When a summons for arrest is issued
-When a person is charged orally for a crime
-Or a document specifying their charge is served
When is a criminal case NOT active anymore (5) - CORRECT
ANSWER - >-When the person is released without charge
-When no arrest is made within 12 months
-When the defendant is acquitted or sentenced
-When the defendant is found unfit to be tried
,-When the case is discontinued
Why is there a lower risk of contempt once an appeal has been
lodged? - CORRECT ANSWER - >Although an appeal means that
the case is active again, jurors very rarely hear appeals (unless
it's a re-trial) and therefore, there is less of a risk of prejudicing
a jury.
What must reports of a trial be? (3) - CORRECT ANSWER - >Fair,
accurate and contemporaneous
What kind of material is prejudicial during a trial? (5) - CORRECT
ANSWER - >-Mention of previous convictions
-Suggestion of dishonesty or bad character
-Anything that connects them directly to the crime
-Any suggestion of guilt
-Photographs or descriptions of the defendant
What kind of material is okay to publish during a trial? (4) -
CORRECT ANSWER - >-Basic details of the crime
-Name and charge of the accused
-Basic background about the defendant (Non-prejudicial
information only)
-Tributes, memorials and funerals
What should happen to police appeals following the arrest of
the wanted person? - CORRECT ANSWER - >The information
given by police should be removed and not repeated because
, the arrest warrant and subsequent arrest means that the case
is active.
What is the 'fade factor'? - CORRECT ANSWER - >The fade
factor recognises that the public will have probably forgotten
the details of the crime in its early stages.
What must online providers do in order to avoid contempt? (3)
- CORRECT ANSWER - >-They should take down their sidebars
pointing users towards older stories.
-They may choose to remove the material altogether.
-They should be wary of allowing reader's comments which
may be prejudicial.
When does a civil case become active? - CORRECT ANSWER -
>When a date for the hearing or trial has been fixed.
Why is the risk of contempt lower in civil cases? - CORRECT
ANSWER - >Because most civil cases have no jury. There is,
however, a risk of influencing a potential witness.
How many defences to contempt are there? What are they
called? - CORRECT ANSWER - >Three. Section 3 (innocent
publication), section 4 (Fair and accurate reporting) and section
5 (discussion of public affairs).
Define 'summary proceedings' - CORRECT ANSWER - >Hearings
in which magistrates try or sentence defendants
