1.
Spoken defamation is referred to as:
Correct Answer
A. Slander
Explanation
Spoken defamation refers to making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. Slander specifically refers to the act of orally spreading false information about someone with the intent to damage their reputation. It is important to note that slander specifically pertains to spoken words, while libel refers to written or published false statements. "Lies" and "smear campaign" are more general terms and do not specifically refer to spoken defamation.
2.
A person can defame themselves under common law.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Under common law, a person cannot defame themselves because defamation requires a false statement made by one person about another person that damages the other person's reputation. Since self-defamation involves making false statements about oneself, it does not meet the criteria for defamation. Therefore, the correct answer is False.
3.
How many elements must be proven to sue for defamation?
Correct Answer
C. 4
Explanation
To successfully sue for defamation, four elements must be proven. These elements include making a false statement about someone, publishing or communicating the statement to a third party, causing harm or damage to the person's reputation, and acting with negligence or intent. Each of these elements is crucial in establishing a defamation claim.
4.
A third party publisher takes negligible blame in defamation suits.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
In defamation suits, a third party publisher refers to someone who is not the original author or speaker of the defamatory statement but is responsible for disseminating it to the public. The statement suggests that such publishers bear very little blame in defamation suits. This is true because, in most jurisdictions, the law provides certain protections to third party publishers, such as immunity or limited liability, as they are seen as intermediaries rather than the primary source of the defamatory statement. Therefore, they are often not held fully accountable for the content they publish, resulting in negligible blame in defamation suits.
5.
What is the punishment for defamation?
Correct Answer
C. Fines
Explanation
Defamation refers to making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. The punishment for defamation typically involves fines rather than jail time or probation. This is because defamation is considered a civil offense rather than a criminal offense in many jurisdictions. Fines are imposed as a way to compensate the victim for the damage caused to their reputation.
6.
You can sue for defamation if the statement in question is true, but harmful to the person's reputation.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
You cannot sue for defamation if the statement in question is true, as truth is a defense against defamation claims. Defamation refers to making false statements that harm someone's reputation. In order to successfully sue for defamation, the statement must be false and have caused damage to the person's reputation. Therefore, the given answer is false.
7.
Who filed a lawsuit against Daily Mail last year, after the paper claimed she used to be an escort?
Correct Answer
D. Melania Trump
Explanation
Melania Trump filed a lawsuit against Daily Mail last year after the paper claimed she used to be an escort.
8.
What celebrity got $50 million from The Star after false drug use claims?
Correct Answer
A. Katie Holms
Explanation
Katie Holmes received $50 million from The Star after false drug use claims.
9.
Who was the first to try to file a defamation lawsuit over a tweet?
Correct Answer
C. James Woods
Explanation
James Woods was the first to try to file a defamation lawsuit over a tweet. This suggests that out of the given options, he was the individual who took legal action in response to a defamatory statement made on Twitter. This indicates that the other options, Donald Trump, Ray Romano, and Bill Murray, did not file defamation lawsuits over tweets.
10.
What Vegas hotel filed a defamation case against Girls Gone Wild!?
Correct Answer
C. Wynn
Explanation
Wynn is the correct answer because the question asks which Vegas hotel filed a defamation case against Girls Gone Wild! Wynn Resorts, owned by Steve Wynn, filed a defamation lawsuit against Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis in 2008. The lawsuit claimed that Francis made false statements about Wynn and his company.