Possible/Practice Questions for Media Law exam

Possible Questions:

1. What is the highest court in the UK? 
1. Where does it sit?
2. How many justices?
2. Three functions of Crown Courts? 
3. Three functions of Magistrates courts? 
4. What is the difference between a civil and criminal offence?
5. Is the legal test of proof the same or different?
6. Give 3 sources of law in the UK.
7. What do journalists mean by the public interest?
8. Briefly explain what is meant by ‘prejudice’ and ‘contempt’ in the context of media law.
9. When does a case become legally active?
10. After an arrest is made what sort of facts – in general terms – can be reported? 
11. The accused appears before magistrates – in general terms – what can you report? List them…
12. What is meant by an ‘either-way offence?
13. What is maximum sentence magistrates can impose?
14. What is meant by a conditional discharge?
15. What is the purpose of a ‘Section 49 order’?
16. What is purpose of a Section 39 order?
17. What do we mean by ‘jigsaw identification’?
18. One morning you arrive at court and barristers are making legal arguments about crucial evidence. You notice the jury isn’t there.  Can you report the proceedings?
19. What is required of your court report for it to attract absolute privilege?
20. In this context explain what is meant by ‘fair’.
21. During a murder trial a family member shouts at the defendant from the public gallery. “You lying bastard – you killed our boy!”  Is that safe to report?
22. How would you define libel?
23. How do we know when a statement is defamatory?
24. What particular danger is there of libel for TV journalists?
25. What are the 3 major libel defences?
26. Something re the McAlpine affair…
27. Why is the legal principle of privilege so important to journalists?
28. Give examples of occasions when reports may attract Qualified Privilege with, and without, explanation and contradiction.
29. Why was a public meeting in 2000 about the jailed paratrooper Lee Clegg so significant?
30. What’s the purpose of copyright law?
31. You use a photo off the internet.  Is it free of copyright? 
32. Why is the principle of fair dealing important and what are its limitations?
33. What is the purpose of the law of confidence?
34. What are the danger areas for journalists?
35. What dilemma does a journalist face when newsworthy information comes into his or her possession?
36. What bodies are responsible for regulating the professional conduct of journalists?
37. Which body has most power and why?
38. Define impartiality.
1. Would there be any difference in your approach to this if you were working in newspapers or broadcasting?
39. Why is accuracy and impartiality especially important at election times?
40. What are the danger areas for journalists during campaign reporting?
41. Must all candidates standing in a constituency be covered equally?
42. On polling day when can we start reporting exit polls?
43. On polling day a candidate makes a final plea to voters – can we report this?

Answers available here