After reading Chapter 7, you should know and understand: - the privileges, protections and access guaranteed to journalists;
- how to avoid being jailed, sued, fired or verbally harassed if your writing or reporting crosses the line;
- the ins and outs of libel and slander, so you can avoid making careless errors that could lead to defamation lawsuits;
- the legal problems that can arise from violating a person's right to privacy;
- how copyright law protects you, and how it prevents you from illegally reprinting the works of others;
- where editors, administrators and readers draw the line when material becomes offensive;
- the ethical pitfalls that can lead to trouble or termination: deception, plagiarism, fabrication, theft, bias, burning sources, and conflict of interest; and
- the ethical standards for reporters' behavior.
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