15 Flashcards
a model for journalism and speech that
tolerates little public dissent or criticism of government; it
holds that the general public needs guidance from an elite
and educated ruling class.
authoritarian model
a model for journalism and
speech that places control in the hands of an enlightened
government, which speaks for ordinary citizens and workers in order to serve the common goals of the state.
communist or state model
a model for journalism and
speech, influenced by the libertarian model, that encourages
the free flow of information to citizens so they can make wise
decisions about political and often more social issues.
social responsibility model
the notion that the press operates as an
unofficial branch of government, monitoring the legislative,
judicial, and executive branches for abuses of power.
Fourth Estate
a model for journalism and speech that
encourages vigorous government criticism and supports
the highest degree of freedom for individual speech and
news operations.
libertarian model
the legal definition of censorship in the United
States; it prohibits courts and governments from blocking
any publication or speech before it actually occurs.
prior restraint
the legal right of authors and producers to own
and control the use of their published or unpublished
writing, music, and lyrics; TV programs and movies; or
graphic art designs.
copyright
the end of the copyright period for a work, at
which point the public may begin to access it for free.
public domain
in media law, the defamation of character in written
expression.
libel
in law, spoken language that defames a person’s
character.
slander
in libel law, a reckless disregard for the truth,
such as when a reporter or an editor knows that a state-
ment is false and prints or airs it anyway.
actual malice
a legal right allowing journalists to report
judicial or legislative proceedings even though the public
statements being reported may be libelous.
qualified privilege
a defense against libel which
states that libel applies only to intentional misstatements
of factual information rather than to statements of
opinion.
opinion and fair comment
expression that is not protected as speech if
these three legal tests are all met: (1) the average person,
applying contemporary community standards, would
find that the material as a whole appeals to prurient
interest; (2) the material depicts or describes sexual
conduct in a patently offensive way; (3) the material, as
a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or
scientific value.
obscenity
addresses a person’s right to be left alone,
without his or her name, image, or daily activities becom-
ing public property
right to privacy
