Breakdown of the Blank
The sentence describes the dilemma faced by journalists under oppressive regimes. The blank describes the risk of investigating dangerous facts:
- Action: "uncovering incriminating facts"
- Result (Negative): This action is rarely ______ from the "standpoint of self-preservation."

The word in the blank must mean safe, wise, or advisable in terms of survival. If it's rarely this quality, it means the act is usually dangerous or ill-advised.
- A. informed: Having or showing knowledge. (Irrelevant to personal safety.)
- B. prudent: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future; wise or advisable. This is a strong fit, as uncovering facts is rarely a wise or careful action when self-preservation is the goal.
- C. liberating: Freeing. (While uncovering facts is often liberating for society, it is dangerous for the individual journalist.)
- D. politic: (Of an action) seemingly sensible and judicious under the circumstances; prudent or well-judged. This is a perfect synonym for prudent and fits the context of calculating personal risk.
- E. unwise: Not wise or sensible. This is the opposite of the required meaning. The sentence is saying the act is rarely wise, so the blank needs to be a word meaning wise.
- F. profitable: Yielding profit or benefit. While it might yield ethical benefit, the context is self-preservation, which relates to safety, not financial gain.

The two words that mean wise, sensible, or advisable in terms of self-preservation are prudent and politic.

The correct choices are B. prudent and D. politic.