Journalism Midterm Exam

Which of the following is an example of plagiarism?

• Citing your sources correctly

• Copying and pasting an article without giving credit

• Writing an article based on your own research

• Interviewing someone and quoting them accurately

Answer explanation

Copying and pasting an article without giving credit is plagiarism because it involves using someone else's work without acknowledgment, violating intellectual property rights.

Week 2: Journalism Ethics and Plagiarism 2. Journalism ethics are important because they help ensure:

• Reporters get famous

• Information is accurate and fair

• Stories are always exciting

• Everyone agrees on everything

Answer explanation

Journalism ethics are crucial for ensuring that information is accurate and fair, which is essential for maintaining public trust and credibility in reporting.

What is a key principle of journalistic ethics?

• Always write about your friends

• Be truthful and accurate

• Make up facts to make a story better

• Only report good news

Answer explanation

A key principle of journalistic ethics is to be truthful and accurate. This ensures that the information reported is reliable and maintains the trust of the audience, unlike the other options which compromise integrity.

If a journalist reports false information on purpose, what ethical principle are they violating?

• Objectivity

• Timeliness

• Accuracy

• Entertainment

Answer explanation

By reporting false information on purpose, a journalist violates the ethical principle of accuracy, which requires them to provide truthful and reliable information to the public.

What is the main consequence of plagiarism for a journalist?

• They get a bonus

• They lose trust and credibility

• They win an award

• They get a day off

Answer explanation

The main consequence of plagiarism for a journalist is that they lose trust and credibility. This loss can severely impact their career and the perception of their work, making it difficult to regain the audience's confidence.

Copyright protects:

• Ideas that are still in your head

• Original creative works like books, music, and art

• Facts and common knowledge

• Government documents

Answer explanation

Copyright protects original creative works like books, music, and art, ensuring that creators have exclusive rights to their creations. Ideas in your head, facts, and government documents are not protected by copyright.

If you want to use someone else's copyrighted work, what should you generally do?

• Just use it, they won't notice

• Ask for permission or check for fair use guidelines

• Change a few words and pretend it's yours

• Say you found it online

Answer explanation

To use someone else's copyrighted work, you should ask for permission or check fair use guidelines. This ensures you respect the creator's rights and avoid legal issues, unlike the other options which are unethical.

Intellectual property refers to creations of the:

• Government

• Mind

• Factory

• Earth

Answer explanation

Intellectual property encompasses creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols. It is not limited to government, factories, or the earth, making 'Mind' the correct choice.

Which of these is generally NOT protected by copyright?

• A photograph you took

• A song you wrote

• A list of common facts (e.g., "Paris is the capital of France")

• A short story you published

Answer explanation

Copyright does not protect facts or ideas, only the expression of those ideas. A list of common facts, like "Paris is the capital of France," is not original enough to qualify for copyright protection.

Journalists are often called the "fourth estate" because they:

• Own a lot of property

• Serve as a watchdog on government and other powerful institutions

• Are the fourth richest profession

• Always work in teams of four

Answer explanation

Journalists are referred to as the "fourth estate" because they play a crucial role in monitoring and holding accountable the government and powerful institutions, acting as a check on their power.