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Praxis Journalism study materials
Praxis Journalism study resources

Praxis Journalism practice questions

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Question 1Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is writing about a city council vote for a daily newspaper. Which element is the most essential part of the story's lead?

  1. A detailed history of the council's founding in the 1800s
  2. A long quotation from the mayor's opening remarks
  3. The reporter's personal opinion about the council's decision
  4. The outcome of the vote and its immediate significance to residents Correct answer.

Explanation

A news lead should deliver the most important information first: what happened and why it matters to the audience. Supporting quotes, background, and personal commentary belong later in the story or not at all in a news report.

Question 2Journalism content knowledge

In journalism ethics, the principle of minimizing harm most directly requires a reporter to do which of the following?

  1. Avoid interviewing anyone who might be upset by the story
  2. Weigh the public value of information against potential injury to individuals Correct answer.
  3. Publish every detail obtained from a source regardless of consequence
  4. Submit drafts to sources for approval before publication

Explanation

Minimizing harm means balancing the public's need for information against the potential damage to people named or affected. Journalists do not surrender editorial control or avoid difficult interviews; they exercise judgment about what to publish and how.

Question 3Journalism content knowledge

Which of the following best describes the function of a 'nut graf' in a feature story?

  1. It provides the closing anecdote that resolves the narrative
  2. It summarizes the story's central point and explains why it matters now Correct answer.
  3. It replaces the lead when the story is published online
  4. It lists the sources interviewed for the article

Explanation

The nut graf, usually appearing a few paragraphs after the lead, states the story's main point and tells readers why the piece is timely or relevant. It functions as a bridge from the opening anecdote to the substantive reporting that follows.

Question 4Journalism content knowledge

A journalist wants to verify a claim made by a government official at a press conference. Which action best reflects sound sourcing practice?

  1. Ask a colleague who watched the same broadcast to confirm the wording
  2. Post the claim on social media and see whether readers dispute it
  3. Rely on the official's statement because it was made publicly
  4. Check the claim against public records and a second independent source Correct answer.

Explanation

Verification requires checking a claim against documentary evidence and independent corroboration rather than accepting a public statement at face value. A colleague who watched the same event only confirms what was said, not whether it is true.

Question 5Journalism content knowledge

Under U.S. law, which situation most clearly supports a defamation claim by a public official against a news outlet?

  1. The outlet quoted the official accurately in a news story
  2. The outlet published a false factual statement with actual malice Correct answer.
  3. The outlet published a critical editorial about the official's policies
  4. The outlet declined to endorse the official's reelection

Explanation

Public officials must prove actual malice, meaning knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth, when suing for defamation over a false factual statement. Opinions, accurate quotations, and editorial decisions not to endorse are protected.

Question 6Journalism content knowledge

A photojournalist covering a protest must decide what to frame. Which practice best reflects standard ethical guidance for news images?

  1. Select images that accurately represent the event's scale and character Correct answer.
  2. Alter lighting digitally to make the scene more vivid
  3. Crop images to remove context that complicates the narrative
  4. Choose only the most dramatic frames to maximize clicks

Explanation

Ethical photojournalism requires images that fairly represent the event rather than exaggerate or distort it. Manipulating images or selecting only sensational frames misleads the audience about what actually occurred.

Question 7Journalism content knowledge

Which of the following is the clearest example of a primary source for a story about a city budget?

  1. A blog post summarizing the budget debate
  2. A magazine feature about the mayor's career
  3. A textbook chapter on municipal finance
  4. The official budget document released by the city Correct answer.

Explanation

A primary source is an original document or firsthand record, such as the official budget itself. Summaries, textbooks, and features are secondary sources that interpret or report on primary material.

Question 8Journalism content knowledge

A reporter receives an anonymous tip about misconduct at a local nonprofit. What is the most appropriate next step?

  1. Ask the nonprofit's director to confirm the tip and publish the response alone
  2. Publish the tip immediately to stay ahead of competitors
  3. Seek independent documentation and corroborating sources before publishing Correct answer.
  4. Discard the tip because anonymous information is never usable

Explanation

Anonymous tips can be legitimate starting points but must be verified through documents and independent sources before publication. Rushing to publish or relying solely on the subject's response risks error and unfairness.

Question 9Journalism content knowledge

In a news story, the term 'attribution' refers to which of the following?

  1. The headline that appears above the story
  2. The process of identifying the source of information presented Correct answer.
  3. The placement of the story on the page
  4. The editor's final approval before publication

Explanation

Attribution identifies who provided information so readers can assess its credibility. It is distinct from headlines, editing approval, and page layout, which concern presentation and workflow.

Question 10Journalism content knowledge

Which headline best follows standard news headline conventions for accuracy and clarity?

  1. Council Does Something Crazy With Budget
  2. Council Approves Budget After Heated Debate Correct answer.
  3. You Won't Believe What the Council Just Did
  4. Budget: The Debate Everyone Is Talking About

Explanation

A strong news headline conveys the key facts concisely and accurately. Clickbait phrasing and vague teasers sacrifice clarity and can mislead readers about the story's content.

Question 11Journalism content knowledge

A copy editor notices that a story uses 'comprise' in a sentence where 'compose' would be standard. Which editorial principle is most relevant to the decision?

  1. Changing the word to match house style and accepted usage Correct answer.
  2. Deleting the sentence to avoid the issue entirely
  3. Replacing the sentence with a direct quotation
  4. Allowing any usage because grammar rules are arbitrary

Explanation

Copy editors apply house style and accepted usage conventions to keep prose clear and consistent. Deleting or replacing the sentence overcorrects, and dismissing usage rules ignores the editor's role.

Question 12Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is granted information 'on background.' What does this convention typically mean?

  1. The information may be used but the source is not named in the story Correct answer.
  2. The information may be published only after the source dies
  3. The information cannot be used in any form
  4. The source must be named in the first paragraph

Explanation

On background generally means the journalist may use the information but must not identify the source by name, often attributing it to a general description. It does not prohibit use of the material or require immediate naming.

Question 13Journalism content knowledge

Which element of a newspaper page is designed to guide readers to the most important story of the day?

  1. The paper's masthead listing staff names
  2. The weather map in the corner
  3. The classified advertisement section
  4. The page's dominant headline and placement above the fold Correct answer.

Explanation

Editors signal news priority through headline size and prominent placement, especially above the fold. Classifieds, weather maps, and mastheads serve other functions and do not rank news importance.

Question 14Journalism content knowledge

A journalist is preparing a broadcast package with limited time. Which structure best serves clarity for listeners who may tune in mid-story?

  1. A sequence of unrelated sound bites without narration
  2. A structure that states the main point early and repeats key facts Correct answer.
  3. A single long quotation from the main source
  4. A chronological narrative that saves the outcome for the end

Explanation

Broadcast audiences often join mid-story, so key facts should appear early and be reinforced. Chronological builds and unexplained sound bites can leave listeners without the essential information.

Question 15Journalism content knowledge

Which of the following best describes the role of a 'shield law' in U.S. journalism?

  1. It requires sources to sign confidentiality agreements
  2. It shields news organizations from all defamation lawsuits
  3. It protects journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources in many jurisdictions Correct answer.
  4. It prevents the government from ever subpoenaing reporters

Explanation

Shield laws, enacted in many states, offer varying protection against compelled disclosure of confidential sources or materials. They do not immunize outlets from defamation claims or create absolute nationwide protection.

Question 16Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is fact-checking a statistic cited by a politician. Which approach best demonstrates rigorous verification?

  1. Accepting the statistic because two politicians repeated it
  2. Asking the politician's staff to confirm the number
  3. Quoting the statistic with the phrase 'reportedly' to avoid responsibility
  4. Tracing the statistic to its original study and reviewing its methodology Correct answer.

Explanation

Rigorous verification traces a claim to its original source and examines how the data were produced. Repetition, vague hedging, and confirmation by interested parties do not establish accuracy.

Question 17Journalism content knowledge

Which of the following best explains why journalists avoid publishing the names of sexual assault victims without consent in many cases?

  1. Doing so can cause serious harm while adding little to the public's understanding Correct answer.
  2. Victims are automatically considered public officials
  3. Editors are prohibited by federal statute from printing them
  4. Such names are legally classified as state secrets

Explanation

Ethical guidance weighs the public value of identifying a victim against the potential trauma and stigma, and many outlets withhold names absent clear justification. The other options misstate the legal and ethical basis.

Question 18Journalism content knowledge

A reporter covering a scientific study should be most cautious about which common error?

  1. Naming the journal that published the research
  2. Including the study's sample size
  3. Quoting the lead researcher's affiliation
  4. Reporting a correlation as if it proved causation Correct answer.

Explanation

A frequent science-reporting error is treating a correlation as proof of cause and effect. Including sample size, journal name, and affiliations are appropriate details that aid reader understanding.

Question 19Journalism content knowledge

Which of the following is the best example of an open-ended interview question for a news feature?

  1. Was it difficult to start the program?
  2. What led you to start the program, and how has it changed? Correct answer.
  3. Did you start the program in 2019?
  4. You started the program, correct?

Explanation

Open-ended questions invite narrative detail and explanation, producing richer quotations and context. Closed questions elicit brief yes-or-no answers that yield little usable material.

Question 20Journalism content knowledge

A newspaper publishes a correction after misstating a city budget figure. Which practice best reflects accepted corrections policy?

  1. Blaming the source in a follow-up editorial
  2. Publishing a clearly labeled correction promptly and stating the correct figure Correct answer.
  3. Removing the story entirely from the archive
  4. Quietly editing the online story without any notice

Explanation

Transparency requires prompt, clearly labeled corrections that give the accurate information. Silent edits, deletion, and shifting blame undermine credibility and fail to inform readers who saw the error.

Question 21Journalism content knowledge

Which term describes the practice of placing a story's most newsworthy information at the beginning, with details arranged in descending order of importance?

  1. Circular structure
  2. Narrative arc
  3. Inverted pyramid Correct answer.
  4. Braided narrative

Explanation

The inverted pyramid organizes news from most to least important so readers can stop at any point and still get the essentials. The other structures are narrative forms that develop themes or chronology rather than ranking facts.

Question 22Journalism content knowledge

A reporter wants to use a hidden camera to document unsafe conditions in a workplace. Which consideration is most central to the ethical decision?

  1. Whether the reporter can remain anonymous to the audience
  2. Whether the public interest justifies deception after less intrusive methods fail Correct answer.
  3. Whether the employer will agree to the recording in advance
  4. Whether the footage will attract more viewers than a written story

Explanation

Covert recording is generally justified only when the information serves a significant public interest and cannot be obtained through less deceptive means. Audience appeal, employer consent, and reporter anonymity are not the governing ethical tests.

Question 23Journalism content knowledge

In news writing, 'active voice' is generally preferred because it does which of the following?

  1. Signals that the information is unverified
  2. Obscures responsibility for an action
  3. Lengthens sentences to add detail
  4. Makes clear who performed the action and keeps sentences direct Correct answer.

Explanation

Active voice identifies the actor and produces direct, vigorous prose, which helps readers understand who did what. Passive constructions can obscure responsibility and are usually reserved for cases where the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Question 24Journalism content knowledge

A journalist is building a database story about local restaurant inspections. Which step is most important before publishing conclusions about individual restaurants?

  1. Converting all figures to percentages for visual appeal
  2. Cleaning and verifying the data, then giving each restaurant a chance to respond Correct answer.
  3. Publishing the raw dataset without analysis
  4. Sorting the data by restaurant name alphabetically

Explanation

Data journalism requires cleaning and verifying records and offering subjects a fair opportunity to respond to adverse findings. Sorting, formatting, or dumping raw data does not substitute for accuracy checks and fairness.

Question 25Journalism content knowledge

Which of the following best describes the purpose of an editorial page in a newspaper?

  1. To list classified advertisements and obituaries
  2. To publish wire service stories verbatim
  3. To present the publication's institutional opinions and signed commentary Correct answer.
  4. To report breaking news without interpretation

Explanation

The editorial page is the venue for the publication's institutional voice and for signed opinion pieces, clearly separated from news reporting. Breaking news, classifieds, and wire copy belong elsewhere and follow different standards.

Question 26Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is assigned to cover a city council vote scheduled for the evening. Which action best reflects the journalistic norm of advance preparation for a deadline story?

  1. Asking an editor to write the background section after the vote is final
  2. Recording the meeting in full and quoting speakers in the order they talked
  3. Waiting until the meeting ends to decide which issues matter to readers
  4. Gathering background on the ordinance, the key players, and prior votes before the meeting begins Correct answer.

Explanation

Deadline reporting depends on pre-reporting: understanding the issue, the participants, and the history lets a journalist interpret what happens in the room and file quickly. Relying on the meeting alone usually produces a chronological recap rather than a news story. Preparation also helps the reporter ask informed questions afterward.

Question 27Journalism content knowledge

A journalist writing about a school board's new policy wants to show readers how the district's spending compares with peer districts. Which approach most directly serves that comparison?

  1. Listing the names of all board members who voted
  2. Quoting one parent who opposes the policy
  3. Describing the board meeting where the policy passed
  4. Normalizing per-pupil spending figures across districts before comparing them Correct answer.

Explanation

Comparisons are meaningful only when the underlying figures are measured on the same basis, such as spending per student rather than raw totals that reflect district size. Normalizing the data makes differences attributable to policy rather than enrollment. The other choices add color or context but do not support a valid comparison.

Question 28Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is told that a source's claim about a company's layoffs will be used 'on deep background.' Under common newsroom usage, how may the journalist treat the information?

  1. Publish it only after the source approves the final wording
  2. Publish it only if a second outlet reports it first
  3. Publish it with the source's full name and title
  4. Publish it without any attribution to the source or to the arrangement Correct answer.

Explanation

Deep background generally allows a journalist to use information but not attribute it in any form, sometimes absorbing it as the reporter's own knowledge after independent verification. It differs from 'background,' which permits general description of the source. Newsrooms vary, so reporters should confirm the terms with the source and editor.

Question 29Journalism content knowledge

A reporter covering a mayoral race discovers that a candidate's campaign manager once filed for bankruptcy. Which editorial test is most relevant to deciding whether to publish?

  1. Whether the bankruptcy is recent enough to fit the news cycle
  2. Whether the campaign manager will consent to an interview
  3. Whether other reporters already know about the filing
  4. Whether the information is relevant to the manager's public role and the voters' judgment Correct answer.

Explanation

The central test is relevance: private financial history matters when it bears on a person's public responsibilities or credibility, and much less when it does not. Recency and competitive pressure are secondary considerations. Consent is not required to publish accurate, relevant information.

Question 30Journalism content knowledge

A reporter wants to describe how a city's rent prices changed over ten years. Which presentation most clearly communicates the trend to a general audience?

  1. A table of raw landlord filings
  2. A line chart plotting median rent by year with labeled axes Correct answer.
  3. A quote from one tenant describing a rent increase
  4. A paragraph listing every monthly figure collected

Explanation

A line chart with labeled axes shows direction and magnitude of change over time at a glance, which suits a general audience. Raw tables and exhaustive lists of figures are harder to interpret quickly. A single anecdote illustrates experience but does not establish a trend.

Question 31Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is writing about a federal agency's new rule and wants to know the exact effective date and scope. Which source is most authoritative for those details?

  1. A social media post from an advocacy group
  2. The text of the rule as published in the Federal Register Correct answer.
  3. A blog post by a former agency official
  4. A press release summarizing the rule

Explanation

The Federal Register publishes the official text of federal rules, including effective dates and regulatory language, making it the authoritative source. Press releases and commentary may be useful for context but can simplify or distort details. Advocacy posts are secondary and often interpretive.

Question 32Journalism content knowledge

A reporter interviews a witness who says, 'I think the car came from the left, but it was dark.' Which practice best preserves accuracy in the published story?

  1. Attributing the uncertainty to the witness and noting the conditions Correct answer.
  2. Replacing the quote with the reporter's own conclusion
  3. Omitting the quote because it is uncertain
  4. Reporting the direction as established fact

Explanation

Accuracy requires conveying the witness's stated uncertainty rather than converting an impression into a fact. Attributing the estimate and noting poor visibility lets readers weigh the information. Suppressing the quote or substituting the reporter's inference misrepresents what the source actually said.

Question 33Journalism content knowledge

In a newsroom, the 'stylebook' primarily serves which function?

  1. Tracking the advertising rates charged to clients
  2. Recording the ethics complaints filed against reporters
  3. Setting standards for consistent usage of names, titles, abbreviations, and punctuation Correct answer.
  4. Determining which stories appear on the front page

Explanation

A stylebook codifies conventions so that usage is consistent across a publication, covering matters such as titles, abbreviations, numerals, and punctuation. It does not decide news play or business matters. Consistency aids readers and reduces editorial friction.

Question 34Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is covering a wildfire and receives conflicting casualty figures from an emergency official and a hospital spokesperson. What is the most appropriate way to handle the discrepancy?

  1. Use the higher figure because it is more cautious
  2. Average the two figures and report the result
  3. Report both figures with their sources and explain why they may differ Correct answer.
  4. Delay the story until the figures are identical

Explanation

When credible sources disagree, transparent reporting attributes each figure and explains possible reasons, such as timing or different counting methods. Averaging invents a number no source reported, and choosing the higher figure distorts the record. Readers are better served by seeing the discrepancy than by having it hidden.

Question 35Journalism content knowledge

A journalist wants to interview a reluctant source about workplace safety violations. Which approach best reflects sound interviewing practice?

  1. Reading a prepared statement and asking the source to agree with it
  2. Starting with the most confrontational question to establish authority
  3. Recording the conversation without telling the source
  4. Explaining the ground rules for attribution and asking open questions about what the source observed Correct answer.

Explanation

Clarifying attribution up front builds trust and prevents later disputes about what may be published. Open questions elicit the source's own account rather than forcing agreement with the reporter's framing. Covert recording raises legal and ethical problems and is not a default practice.

Question 36Journalism content knowledge

A reporter writing about a local election wants to avoid the appearance of partisanship. Which action best supports that goal?

  1. Endorsing the candidate whose policies seem most effective
  2. Seeking comment from candidates of every party and disclosing any personal political involvement Correct answer.
  3. Attending only the events held by the leading candidate
  4. Quoting only voters who agree with the reporter

Explanation

Fairness is demonstrated through even-handed access and transparency about potential conflicts. Covering only one campaign or amplifying one viewpoint skews the record. Endorsements belong to opinion pages, not news reporting.

Question 37Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is preparing a story about a nonprofit's finances and wants to verify claims from its annual report. Which additional step best strengthens the reporting?

  1. Reading the nonprofit's promotional brochure
  2. Interviewing the nonprofit's executive director about the report
  3. Checking whether other outlets have covered the nonprofit
  4. Obtaining the organization's IRS Form 990 and comparing the figures Correct answer.

Explanation

The Form 990 is a public filing that reports revenue, expenses, and compensation, so comparing it with the annual report can reveal discrepancies or confirm claims. An interview and promotional materials reflect the organization's own framing. Prior coverage does not independently verify the figures.

Question 38Journalism content knowledge

A reporter's story includes a statistic from a study funded by an industry group. Which practice best serves readers?

  1. Reporting the statistic without mentioning the funder
  2. Presenting the statistic as established scientific consensus
  3. Identifying the funder and any limitations noted by independent experts Correct answer.
  4. Removing the statistic to avoid controversy

Explanation

Disclosing funding and noting expert caveats lets readers assess potential bias and the strength of the evidence. Omitting the funder hides relevant context, and overstating consensus misrepresents the science. Removing the statistic entirely is unnecessary if it is properly contextualized.

Question 39Journalism content knowledge

A reporter must describe a complex zoning change for a general audience. Which technique best supports clarity?

  1. Defining key terms and explaining the change's practical effects on residents Correct answer.
  2. Using technical planning jargon to demonstrate expertise
  3. Including every provision of the ordinance in the first paragraph
  4. Quoting the full text of the ordinance

Explanation

Plain-language explanation of terms plus concrete consequences helps non-specialist readers understand what the change means for them. Jargon and wholesale quotation of legal text obscure meaning. Comprehensive detail can follow once the central point is clear.

Question 40Journalism content knowledge

A reporter receives documents from a source who requests anonymity and asks that the documents' existence be kept secret. Which consideration is most central to the decision to grant confidentiality?

  1. Whether the story would be more popular with an anonymous source
  2. Whether the information is important enough to the public and cannot be obtained otherwise Correct answer.
  3. Whether the documents are printed on official letterhead
  4. Whether the source seems friendly to the reporter

Explanation

Confidentiality is justified when the information serves the public interest and the source faces risk for providing it, and when the material cannot be obtained another way. Personal rapport and document appearance are not sufficient grounds. Popularity is irrelevant to the ethical judgment.

Question 41Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is writing about a criminal trial and wants to avoid prejudicing readers. Which practice best reflects standard legal reporting?

  1. Describing the defense attorney in personal terms
  2. Publishing the names of jurors before deliberations end
  3. Stating that the defendant is guilty because charges were filed
  4. Using 'alleged' and attributing accusations to the charging documents or testimony Correct answer.

Explanation

Charges are accusations, not proof, so careful legal reporting attributes them to the complaint or testimony and uses qualifiers such as 'alleged.' Identifying jurors during a trial can interfere with proceedings. Personal commentary about counsel substitutes opinion for fact.

Question 42Journalism content knowledge

A journalist is choosing between two ledes for a story about a new housing policy. Which criterion most directly distinguishes a stronger news lede?

  1. It states the most consequential development for readers in specific terms Correct answer.
  2. It lists the names of everyone involved in drafting the policy
  3. It contains more adjectives describing the policy
  4. It begins with a long quotation from an official

Explanation

A strong news lede delivers the most significant, specific development promptly so readers grasp why the story matters. Adjective-heavy prose and long opening quotations delay the point. Exhaustive name lists belong later in the story, if at all.

Question 43Journalism content knowledge

A reporter wants to use a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain emails from a city agency. Which practice best improves the chances of a usable response?

  1. Framing a specific request with names, topics, and a defined time period Correct answer.
  2. Asking for the records through a verbal conversation only
  3. Submitting the request anonymously to avoid follow-up
  4. Requesting 'all emails' from the agency without a date range

Explanation

Specific requests with identifiable records, custodians, and date ranges are easier for agencies to process and less likely to be rejected as overly broad. Vague requests invite delay or denial. Keeping the request in writing creates a record for appeals.

Question 44Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is asked to write a profile of a newly appointed university president. Which reporting step most strengthens the profile's credibility?

  1. Interviewing colleagues, critics, and reviewing public employment records Correct answer.
  2. Relying on the university's official biography alone
  3. Describing the president's appearance in detail
  4. Quoting only the president's prepared remarks

Explanation

Profiles gain credibility from multiple independent sources and documentary records that test the official narrative. Relying on a single institutional biography or prepared remarks reproduces public relations. Physical description is peripheral unless it is genuinely relevant.

Question 45Journalism content knowledge

A reporter discovers that a quoted expert has a financial stake in the policy she praised. What is the most appropriate editorial response?

  1. Remove the quote to avoid complications
  2. Disclose the financial interest in the story so readers can weigh the expert's view Correct answer.
  3. Publish the quote as is because the expert was accurately quoted
  4. Add a second expert with no disclosed interests and drop the disclosure

Explanation

Accurate quotation is not sufficient when a source has an undisclosed conflict that bears on credibility; readers need that context to evaluate the claim. Removing the quote withholds relevant information, and substituting another source does not cure the omission. Transparency is the standard remedy.

Question 46Journalism content knowledge

A journalist is producing a podcast segment about a complicated court ruling. Which production choice best supports listener comprehension?

  1. Assuming listeners have read the opinion beforehand
  2. Using rapid cuts between many speakers
  3. Reading the full opinion aloud without commentary
  4. Summarizing the ruling in plain language and signposting the key points Correct answer.

Explanation

Audio audiences cannot reread, so plain-language summary and clear signposting help them follow a complex ruling. Reading the full text aloud or assuming prior reading ignores how listeners consume audio. Rapid cutting can add energy but undermines comprehension of dense material.

Question 47Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is writing a feature about a neighborhood's changing demographics and wants to avoid stereotyping. Which practice best supports that goal?

  1. Describing residents primarily through census categories
  2. Using a single family as representative of the whole neighborhood
  3. Interviewing a range of residents and letting them describe their own experiences Correct answer.
  4. Selecting only sources who confirm the reporter's initial impression

Explanation

Drawing on varied voices and allowing people to speak for themselves reduces the risk of reducing a community to statistics or one story. Treating a single family as representative overgeneralizes. Seeking only confirming sources is a form of bias.

Question 48Journalism content knowledge

A reporter is asked to embed with a military unit. Which understanding is most important before agreeing?

  1. That the military will review the story before publication
  2. That the reporter will be paid by the military
  3. The ground rules governing access, reporting, and what may be published Correct answer.
  4. That the story will be published without attribution

Explanation

Embedding agreements specify access, restrictions on movement and information, and review procedures, so reporters must understand them before consenting. Prepublication review by the military would compromise editorial independence and is not a standard condition. Payment and anonymity are unrelated to embed terms.

Question 49Journalism content knowledge

A reporter covering a local government meeting notices that the agenda includes a vote on a contract with a company owned by a council member's relative. Which follow-up best serves the public interest?

  1. Reporting the potential conflict of interest and seeking comment from those involved Correct answer.
  2. Ignoring the connection because it appears on a public agenda
  3. Waiting for a competitor to raise the issue
  4. Reporting only the vote tally without context

Explanation

Public agendas often reveal relationships that affect how officials should act, and reporting the potential conflict with comment from those involved informs the public. Ignoring or downplaying the connection withholds relevant information. Deferring to competitors abdicates the reporter's responsibility.

Question 50Journalism content knowledge

A journalist is fact-checking a viral video that appears to show a politician making a controversial remark. Which step is most important before reporting on it?

  1. Counting the video's views and shares
  2. Verifying the video's origin, date, and whether it has been altered Correct answer.
  3. Embedding the video in the story immediately
  4. Asking the politician's opponents to comment

Explanation

Verification comes first: confirming where a video came from, when it was recorded, and whether it is authentic or edited determines whether it can be reported at all. Popularity metrics and reaction from opponents do not establish authenticity. Embedding an unverified video spreads potential misinformation.