Test your media law knowledge

Q.1

Talk of a satanist inner circle in the Houses of Parliament during the 1990s is the subject of a primetime current affairs TV show. No names are named, you can't guess who they're talking about from the show, and the broadcaster doesn't put the show on the internet. But within an hour thousands of people on Twitter are identifying a retired minister, now a Lord, as the ringleader. What is most likely to land you in legal trouble?

Tweeting about the television show being an "interesting insight" into 1990s politics
Tweeting a link to a satanist conspiracy website, accompanied by the hashtag and asking "does this take the story on Lord X further?"
Tweeting to ask why the Lord in question is trending
Tweeting that you always suspected something was amiss in the 1990s Parliament

Q.2

On a story about a local businessman, a rival posts a number of comments with tales of mistreating workers and cost cutting. The subject of the story and comments gets in touch, demanding that the comments are removed. Do you take down the post? Which most accurately describes the current law?

Yes, because otherwise you run the risk of being sued for defamation
No, because you have a right to free speech and this is in the public interest
No, but you give him a right of reply, which will help defend any defamation claim
No, because the comment poster has identified himself

Q.3

Which of the following should you never do from a court room?

Tweet comments made by witnesses when giving evidence
Tweet comments made by judge in open court
Tweet arguments made by barristers when the jury is not in court
Tweet a description of the defendant

Q.4

Scanning through Instagram, you see some photographs that would perfectly complement the travel piece you have just finished. There's no one in the photo, so they're ok to use, right?

Yes, if they're on Instagram, it's in the public domain
No, find a royalty-free image
Yes, your reuse of them is fair use
No, Instagram has first refusal on the third-party use of images uploaded to the service, so you would have to contact Instagram and the photographer

Q.5

As a young and enthusiastic local journalist, you turn up early to a council meeting. You are let into the council chamber, and see lying on a table a document marked 'private and confidential'. It describes a series of cuts the council are planning to make to public services. Can you report it? Choose the best legal answer.

Yes, it's likely to be in the public interest
No, it's private and confidential
Yes, if the council left it lying around, then it's fair game
No, the council has a right of privacy before the meeting becomes public

Q.6

As the council meeting begins, you set up your laptop, smartphone and GoPro camera, ready to document everything. Before the meeting even gets started, the council leader spots you and your equipment and promptly has you removed by the police. Which of the following statements is most accurate?

The council leaders have the power to have anyone removed from meetings
You have a right to document council meetings
It is illegal to film council meetings
It is illegal to tweet or liveblog council meetings

Q.7

A source gives you the keys, passwords, codes and login information for their business partner's private office, where they promise you will find proof of money laundering and human trafficking. They say you have one night to go in and find all the information you need, but that is all, after which access codes will change. Would following their suggestion break any laws? Choose the best answer.

Yes
No
Yes, but a journalist acting in the public interest has a defence so you'll be ok
Yes, but you have a reasonable chance of not going to prison if you have a good lawyer

Q.8

A group of protestors storm the Apple store on Regent Street in protest at the company's perceived tax evasion, refusing to leave and handcuffing themselves to chairs, table legs and Macbook Pro chargers. You join the throng to conduct interviews just as the police turn up, and are led to the cells along with anyone else not tied down. Do the police have the right to arrest you? What is the best answer?

Yes, the Apple store is technically private property
No, it is a public gathering
Yes, if you refused to leave when asked by a senior police officer
No, you are not part of the protest