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Quiz: Writing and Reading the News

December 14, 2018

Journalism plays a central role in public life. How much do you know about the ways journalists write the news, and what you should keep in mind when reading it? Take the quiz to find out!

When a journalist or news outlet publishes a false written statement about someone that hurts that person’s reputation, it is called:*
- Slander
- Plagiarism
- Libel
- Character assassination
The rules that apply to newspapers for printing false statements do not apply to online magazines, publications, blogs, and social media platforms.*
- True
- False
When someone talks to a journalist “off the record,” that means the information cannot be printed.*
- True
- False
A journalist might agree to speak with a source off the record for which of the following reasons?*
- The source has important information but isn’t authorized to share it.
- The source fears for his/her safety.
- The journalist can benefit from an informal conversation to better understand an issue, even if he/she can’t report on that conversation.
- All of the above
If someone is being interviewed by a journalist and asks to go “on background” about a topic, what does this mean?*
- The journalist can use the information you provide, but cannot name or quote you directly.
- You want to have a preparatory conversation with the journalist before the interview.
- The journalist can’t use the information you provided, or name or quote you directly.
- The journalist can do whatever they want with the information you provide.
Freedom of the press, the right to circulate opinions in print without censorship by the government, is guaranteed under which amendment to the Constitution?*
- First
- Third
- Fourth
- Fifth
Two 19th century media barons, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, used hyperbolic headlines and sensational stories to sell newspapers. Their brand of journalism became known as:*
- Sensationalism
- Yellow journalism
- Investigative journalism
- Muckraking
What percentage of Americans said they received their news from social media in 2018?*
- Nearly 30 percent
- Nearly 50 percent
- Nearly 70 percent
- Nearly 90 percent
A majority of people who receive their news from social media say they expect that news to be largely inaccurate.*
- True
- False
Which of the resources below can help you assess the truthfulness of a story?*
- PolitiFact
- Snopes
- FactCheck.org
- All of the above

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