Understanding Libel Quiz
1. The BG News publishes an article that says the journalism department in the School of Communication Studies arbitrarily decides which professors will get merit raises and fails to keep good accounting records of department expenses. The department decides to sue the BG News for libel. An important element of the case will be: 1. Whether the department is large enough for the professors to be identified in connection with the defamation. 2. Whether Dr. Ekstrand deserves the biggest raise. 3. Whether the article was published. 4. Whether the department is small enough for the professors to be identified in connection with the defamation.
2. Which of the following statements about a libel suit brought against an Ohio television station is accurate? 1. there can be no libel without proving fault 2. a public official plaintiff bears the burden of proof of fault 3. broadcast stories are subject to the same rules regarding libel law as newspapers 4. all the above
3. The statute of limitations for libel suits in Ohio is 1. ten years 2. two years 3. five years 4. one year
4. In most cases, the plaintiff has to prove falsity of the statements made about him in a libel suit. The only exception to this is when: 1. The defamation is not about a public controversy. 2. The defamation is about a public controversy. 3. The defendant assumes the responsibility for proving truth. 4. A judge believes that the defendant should prove truth.
5. A defendant in a libel case MUST prove all of the following EXCEPT: 1. Truth 2. Opinion 3. Fair Report 4. The defendant isn’t required to prove anything. He has, however, a series of defenses available to him in a libel case.
6. In Gertz v. Robert Welch (1974), the U.S. Supreme Court established that private person libel plaintiffs must 1. prove strict liability 2. prove actual malice 3. prove a standard of fault to be determined by the states, usually
2. Which of the following statements about a libel suit brought against an Ohio television station is accurate? 1. there can be no libel without proving fault 2. a public official plaintiff bears the burden of proof of fault 3. broadcast stories are subject to the same rules regarding libel law as newspapers 4. all the above
3. The statute of limitations for libel suits in Ohio is 1. ten years 2. two years 3. five years 4. one year
4. In most cases, the plaintiff has to prove falsity of the statements made about him in a libel suit. The only exception to this is when: 1. The defamation is not about a public controversy. 2. The defamation is about a public controversy. 3. The defendant assumes the responsibility for proving truth. 4. A judge believes that the defendant should prove truth.
5. A defendant in a libel case MUST prove all of the following EXCEPT: 1. Truth 2. Opinion 3. Fair Report 4. The defendant isn’t required to prove anything. He has, however, a series of defenses available to him in a libel case.
6. In Gertz v. Robert Welch (1974), the U.S. Supreme Court established that private person libel plaintiffs must 1. prove strict liability 2. prove actual malice 3. prove a standard of fault to be determined by the states, usually