Free Practice Quiz Question List

5 Ethics and Accountability Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 5 Ethics and Accountability, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

A report describes a claim of wrongdoing that has not been verified. True or false: The report should identify it as an allegation rather than state it as an established fact.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

An article's wording was unclear, but no factual error occurred. What type of note can explain the wording or context without implying an error?

Choose one

1 point

A story examines a disputed claim, but the evidence strongly supports one side. Which approach best reflects fairness?

A
Give each side the same amount of space and describe their claims as equally credible.
B
Represent relevant perspectives honestly while making the strength of the evidence clear.
C
Leave out evidence that contradicts the claim receiving the most attention.
D
Present an accusation as fact if it has been repeated by multiple people.

Fill in the blank

1 point

When a story is updated, make the change in a manner appropriate to the format.

Choose one

1 point

A person's address is legally accessible, but publishing it would add little understanding of the issue and could create substantial risk. What is the most ethical choice?

A
Publish the address because it is legally accessible.
B
Publish it because personal details are likely to attract attention.
C
Omit or limit it if it adds little public understanding and creates substantial risk.
D
Publish it automatically if the person is connected to a public issue.

Choose all

1 point

A source asks to remain unnamed. Which steps should a journalist take before agreeing to anonymity? Select all that apply.

A
Establish the ground rules before agreeing to anonymity.
B
Agree immediately whenever a source asks to remain unnamed.
C
Consider the source's motives.
D
Determine whether the information is important and cannot reasonably be obtained on the record.
E
Skip verification because anonymity has already been granted.

Written response

1 point

What is the journalistic practice of telling readers where information came from so they can assess its basis and credibility?

True or false

1 point

True or false: A person's public status does not eliminate all of that person's privacy interests.

A
True
B
False

Fill in the blank

1 point

A correction should identify what was wrong and provide the .

Choose all

1 point

Which practices demonstrate accountability in journalism? Select all that apply.

A
Explain important reporting choices.
B
Avoid answering reasonable questions about accuracy.
C
Credit contributors.
D
Claim that journalists never make mistakes.
E
Be candid about what is known, unknown, or changed.

Choose one

1 point

A source offers a journalist paid travel while the journalist is reporting on that source's organization. What is the most appropriate response?

A
Accept the travel if the source promises not to request favorable coverage.
B
Avoid the conflict where possible, or disclose it or step away according to newsroom policy.
C
Accept the travel as long as no article mentions it.
D
Publish the story without addressing the offer because it came from a source.

Open ended

1 point

A news team is considering publishing an intimate personal detail about a private individual. The detail is legally accessible and likely to attract attention, but its connection to a matter affecting the public is uncertain. Explain how the team should decide whether to publish it.

Choose one

1 point

A journalist wants to use a finding first reported by another outlet. How should the journalist handle that finding?

A
Remove references to the other outlet so the article reads smoothly.
B
Present the reporting as the newsroom's own if the facts seem reliable.
C
Identify the other outlet as the source of the reporting.
D
Use the information without attribution if it has already been published.

True or false

1 point

True or false: It is acceptable to edit an audio recording in a way that changes a speaker's meaning, as long as the edited clip is clear.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A newsroom publishes both independent reporting and material paid for by an organization. Which practice best protects editorial independence and reader understanding?

A
Blend sponsored material into the news section without identifying it.
B
Keep news and sponsored material clearly distinct.
C
Let advertisers approve news coverage about their products.
D
Treat paid material as independent reporting if it contains accurate facts.

Written response

1 point

What journalism term describes treating well-supported evidence and unsupported claims as equally credible?

Choose one

1 point

A story examines an allegation that is contradicted by strong documentary evidence. Which approach best reflects fairness?

A
Give an unsupported accusation the same credibility as records that strongly contradict it.
B
Describe the evidence accurately and distinguish confirmed facts from allegations.
C
Present an allegation as established fact to make the story more decisive.
D
Omit relevant context so that all sides appear equally convincing.

Choose one

1 point

A journalist agrees to protect a source’s identity. What responsibility remains regarding the source’s claim?

A
Treat the claim as confirmed because the source has agreed to speak.
B
Publish the claim without checking it if the source remains unnamed.
C
Verify the claim even if the source is granted anonymity.
D
Assume the source’s motives are reliable whenever the information is important.

Choose one

1 point

A newsroom discovers a significant factual error in a published story. How should it handle the update?

A
Silently change the error so the published article appears accurate.
B
Wait to address the error unless a reader asks about it.
C
Remove the article without explaining what changed.
D
Make the update visible in a manner appropriate to the format.

Written response

1 point

What is the term for presenting well-supported evidence and unsupported claims as though they were equally credible?