History, Functions, and Ethics of the Press

Question 1

define: libel

Answer 1

false criticism and defamation

Question 2

define: penny press

Answer 2

The “penny press” had a heavy focus on reporting actual news stories, such as natural disasters or tragedies, whereas earlier newspapers were made up of mostly opinions and advertisements. Because of its low price and easy accessibility, the “penny press” became widely popular during the industrial revolution, mainly amongst the new working class.

Question 3

define: muckrakers

Answer 3

Muckrakers were a group of American writers in the early 20th century who provided detailed, accurate journalistic accounts of political and economic corruption caused by big business in the rapidly industrializing United States. The term can also refer to journalists or others who seek to expose wrongdoing.

Question 4

define: William Randolph Hearst

Answer 4

main journalist associated with yellow journalism

Question 5

define: partisan press

Answer 5

The “partisan press” refers to an era of reporting where newspapers aligned themselves with one political party and consistently reported on articles regarding that party.

Question 5

define: yellow journalism

Answer 5

an unprofessional and corrupt form of journalism which involved hoaxes, fraud, and self-promotion.

Question 6

define: credibility

Answer 6

A journalist’s ability to be believed and trusted

Question 6

eight functions of journalism:

Answer 6

The political function
The record-keeping function The marketplace function
The economic function
The entertainment function The social function
The sentry function
The agenda-setting function

Question 6

define: plagiarism

Answer 6

Do not pass off others’ work as your own. Always give appropriate credit. Not doing so is grounds for firing a journalist.

Question 6

define: Joseph Pulitzer

Answer 6

main journalist associated with yellow journalism

Question 7

define: the Zenger case

Answer 7

The Zenger case refers to the 1735 trial of John Peter Zenger, a New York printer and journalist. Zenger was accused of libel by the colonial governor, William Cosby, after publishing articles critical of Cosby’s administration in The New York Weekly Journal. Zenger’s defense attorney, Andrew Hamilton, argued that the truth of the published statements should be a defense against libel charges. The jury agreed and acquitted Zenger, establishing a significant precent for freedom in the press in American colonies.

Question 7

define: composite character

Answer 7

Fictional characters a journalist creates by using characteristics of several real people. This is unethical and dishonest

Question 8

define: prior restraint

Answer 8

The halting or forbidding of publication, a form of censorship not permitted in the US except in rare circumstances when national security is at risk

Question 9

define: fairness to all

Answer 9

Everyone in your audience, regardless of race, gender identification, philosophy, age, economic status, or religion, has an equal right to fair treatment in journalism; do not apply different standards to different groups

Question 9

define: attribution

Answer 9

Spoken false defamation of character

Question 9

define: objectivity

Answer 9

Journalists should not let their personal feelings, or likes or dislikes, affect their reporting.

Question 9

define: good taste

Answer 9

Avoid profanity, sensationalism, sexually explicit material, and glorifying bad behavior.

Question 10

define: right of reply/simultaneous rebuttel

Answer 10

If you print criticism of someone, allow that person to respond in the same story.

Question 10

define: slander

Question 10

The sentry function

Answer 10

media’s responsibility to keep the public informed of current and upcoming problems. The press reports what is happening currently and what is likely to happen in the future.

example: A newspaper runs a story about a looming tax shortfall in coming years because of local business shutting down.

Question 10

The marketplace function

Answer 10

the press is a “marketplace” for ideas and provides perspectives

example: A local newspaper prints an editorial opposing a town’s plan to purchase a building and turn it into a community center. The newspaper later publishes letters by residents who both support and oppose the purchase, and publicizes public hearings that take place about the issue.

Question 11

five defenses against libel

Answer 11

Truth
Privilege

Fair comment: you are free to include your opinion in reviews because the person/group of people/etc who organized what you are criticizing are essentially asking for comments

Admission of error: correcting libel or false information in an article can help both legally and ethically, as if it is proved that the libel was not malicious and was corrected immediately, then it reduces the money charged against you

Public officials and public figures:

Question 11

The record-keeping function

Answer 11

media keeps an accurate account of local, national and world news.

example: A local news website publishes vote counts by voting districts in yesterday’s election and provides a link for readers to look at election results in these districts for the past fifty years.

Question 12

four tenants of the Hi’s Eye Code of Ethics

Question 12

The political function

Answer 12

political journalism functions as a “watchdog”, and source of political discussions, which helps citizens understand political matters and help prevent abuses of power.

example: A newspaper reporter regularly covers town council and board of education meetings.

Question 12

The entertainment function

Answer 12

Comics, entertainment, pictures, light-hearted news.

example: A local newspaper runs a story about a crossing guard who is also a professional clown.

Question 13

The economic function

Answer 13

The public needs information about products, goods and services- not just events.

example: A newspaper runs stories about a potential rise in mortgage rates, about the returns for various college savings funds, or CD rates at local banks.

Question 13

The social function

Answer 13

promotes discussion and spread of information/important news.

example: A local newspaper is asking readers to submit ideas to rename the high school mascot, and community members at the local diner are discussing various options because they are proud of their local sports teams.

Question 14

The agenda-setting function

Answer 14

calls readers attention to certain issues. the media has the power to determine what people address as a nation.

example: A newspaper runs a series of stories that attempt to call readers’ attention to the poor state of bridges and tunnels in the area in hopes that readers and politicians will make this issue a priority.

Question 15

define: accuracy

Answer 15

There is no such thing as a small error; journalists must get every detail correct, all the time.

Question 15

public figure

Answer 15

plaintiffs who are public figures or officials have to meet a more stringent standard (actual malice) than do private citizens (negligence) if they are to collect damages. Thus, the status of a defamation plaintiff often affects the outcome of cases, as the courts balance the right of free press against an individual’s reputation. (MTSU)

Question 16

truth

Answer 16

never fake anything, report only what you know beyond reasonable doubt

Question 17

privelege

Answer 17

you have the ability to report whatever is said in a courtroom without facing charges or allegations of libel