Chapter 14 - Media Law Flashcards
Areopagitica, written by John Milton, advances or religious argument for freedom of speech
1644
Benjamin Harris is unlicensed publick occurrences is shut down after one issue
1690
The first amendment is ratified, making the US commitment to a Free Press official
1791
John Peter Zinger is acquitted of seditious label, a step toward allowing printers to publish truthful and fair criticism of the government
1735
The Comstock law makes a wide Friday of a moral communication illegal
1873
Obscenity is defined according to contemporary community standards
1957
Oliver Wendell Holmes enunciates the “clear and present danger “ test of free speech
1918
Pentagon papers case brings about the first prior restraint of a major US newspaper
1971
Following the Janet Jackson incident, Congress and the FCC crackdown on broadcast indecency
2004
The telecommunications Act removes many of the restrictions on media ownership.
1996
Student suicide highlights the problem of online bullying and invasion of privacy
2010
Laws established in colonial America made it illegal to criticize the government or its representatives.
Seditious libel laws
Willful disobedience of the rules of the court or legislative body
Contempt
The part of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights that guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
First Amendment
The repeal of government rules and regulations.
Deregulation
Offense of content with possible social value
Indecency
Offense of content with no social value
Obscenity
Using an individual’s image or name without permission for commercial purposes
Appropriation
Communication that is false and injures a reputation
Defamation
Defamation that occurs in a transitory form, such as speech
Slander
Published or broadcast defamation
Lible
Reckless disregard for the truth of published, defamatory information
Actual malice
Exemption given public officials to speak without fear of being sued for libel
Privilege
Defense against a charge of lible based on opinion or criticism
Fair comment
Law that entitles the owner of the work to make and distribute reproductions of it
Copyright Law
Tendency of reporters to self-sensor because of fear of possible legal action
Chilling effect