CJE Exam Material UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Six requirements for libel - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Publication 2. Identification 3.
False Statement 4. Statement of Fact 5.Harmful to Reputation 6. Fault Required
Four Types of Invasion of Privacy - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Public Disclosure of
Private and Embarrassing Facts 2. Intrusion 3. False Light 4. Misappropriation
FERPA - CORRECT ANSWER - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Three main types of FOI Laws - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Open Records Law 2. Open
Meeting Laws 3. "Pocket" FOI Laws
Example of "Pocket" FOI Law - CORRECT ANSWER - Federal Clery Act - campus
crime records
The First Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER - Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government
for a redress of grievances
Federal Privacy Protection Act of 1980 - CORRECT ANSWER - Prevents newsroom
searches and seizures by government officials when engaged in a criminal investigation - even
with a search warrant.
SPLC Phone Number - CORRECT ANSWER - 703 807-1904
Why should reporters have a privilege? - CORRECT ANSWER - Ensures good sources of
sources for important stories remain available. Without promise of confidentiality some would
be unwilling to share.
, Three different types of subpoenas - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. To testify 2. To reveal
confidential sources 3. To produce unpublished notes, photos, outtakes and other newsgathering
materials
Three differences between Shield Laws and Qualified Privilege - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Shield laws are specific, defined means of protection while Qualified Privilege is based on the
First Amendment and protection is more general or "fuzzy" until a court defines the scope of the
law. 2. Shield laws are created by lawmakers while Reporters privilege is recognized by courts.
3. Shield laws can exclude specific individuals - sometimes student journalists - that a court may
conclude is protected.
TRUE OR FALSE: Public school officials likely do not have the legal authority to compel
disclosure of newsgathering material from student journalists absent an emergency or court
order. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
Poynter's Confidentiality Checklist - CORRECT ANSWER - • is the story of
overwhelming public concern?
• is there any other way to get the information on the record?
• is the information from the confidential source verifiable?
• are you willing to reveal to the public why the source cannot be named?
• how would your audience evaluate the same information if they knew the source's identity?
Tinker V. Des Moines Independent Schools (1969) - CORRECT ANSWER - Supreme
court ruled that First Amendment rights were not lost at the "schoolhouse gate." Beth Tinker
sued the school for suspending her after wearing a black armband in protest of the war in
Vietnam.
"Tinker" standard - CORRECT ANSWER - Individual freedom or speech to be allowed at
public schools unless the speech 1) invades the rights of others (unprotected speech) 2) creates a
material and substantial disruption to school operations
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Six requirements for libel - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Publication 2. Identification 3.
False Statement 4. Statement of Fact 5.Harmful to Reputation 6. Fault Required
Four Types of Invasion of Privacy - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Public Disclosure of
Private and Embarrassing Facts 2. Intrusion 3. False Light 4. Misappropriation
FERPA - CORRECT ANSWER - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Three main types of FOI Laws - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. Open Records Law 2. Open
Meeting Laws 3. "Pocket" FOI Laws
Example of "Pocket" FOI Law - CORRECT ANSWER - Federal Clery Act - campus
crime records
The First Amendment - CORRECT ANSWER - Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government
for a redress of grievances
Federal Privacy Protection Act of 1980 - CORRECT ANSWER - Prevents newsroom
searches and seizures by government officials when engaged in a criminal investigation - even
with a search warrant.
SPLC Phone Number - CORRECT ANSWER - 703 807-1904
Why should reporters have a privilege? - CORRECT ANSWER - Ensures good sources of
sources for important stories remain available. Without promise of confidentiality some would
be unwilling to share.
, Three different types of subpoenas - CORRECT ANSWER - 1. To testify 2. To reveal
confidential sources 3. To produce unpublished notes, photos, outtakes and other newsgathering
materials
Three differences between Shield Laws and Qualified Privilege - CORRECT ANSWER -
1. Shield laws are specific, defined means of protection while Qualified Privilege is based on the
First Amendment and protection is more general or "fuzzy" until a court defines the scope of the
law. 2. Shield laws are created by lawmakers while Reporters privilege is recognized by courts.
3. Shield laws can exclude specific individuals - sometimes student journalists - that a court may
conclude is protected.
TRUE OR FALSE: Public school officials likely do not have the legal authority to compel
disclosure of newsgathering material from student journalists absent an emergency or court
order. - CORRECT ANSWER - True
Poynter's Confidentiality Checklist - CORRECT ANSWER - • is the story of
overwhelming public concern?
• is there any other way to get the information on the record?
• is the information from the confidential source verifiable?
• are you willing to reveal to the public why the source cannot be named?
• how would your audience evaluate the same information if they knew the source's identity?
Tinker V. Des Moines Independent Schools (1969) - CORRECT ANSWER - Supreme
court ruled that First Amendment rights were not lost at the "schoolhouse gate." Beth Tinker
sued the school for suspending her after wearing a black armband in protest of the war in
Vietnam.
"Tinker" standard - CORRECT ANSWER - Individual freedom or speech to be allowed at
public schools unless the speech 1) invades the rights of others (unprotected speech) 2) creates a
material and substantial disruption to school operations
