Question 1

Eighty to 90 percent of mass media revenue is generated by only about 10 to 20 percent of the media products made.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true.

Question 2

Despite the reputation the media have for being biased, research actually indicates that news media today are no more biased or politically partisan than they were in the 1980s.

Accepted Answer

Research and analyses suggest that political polarization and media bias have increased significantly since the 1980s, partly due to the rise of cable news and the internet, which have changed how news is consumed and have led to the proliferation of more overtly partisan outlets.

Question 3

The FCC has the authority to regulate all television content.

Accepted Answer

The FCC only has the authority to regulate broadcast television content, not cable or satellite television content.

Question 4

Most kids and teens spend nearly eight hours per day devoted to entertainment media, including television, movies, Internet, music, and other media sources.

Accepted Answer

This is based on research conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2010, which found that children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes per day engaging with entertainment media.

Question 5

Most people believe that negative media influences, such as exposure to biased messages, have a greater effect on other people than on themselves.

Accepted Answer

This is known as the third-person effect, where individuals believe that others are more susceptible to negative media influences than they are themselves.

Question 6

The amount of time Americans spend devoted to media has changed very little over the last twenty years.

Accepted Answer

The amount of time Americans spend on media has significantly increased over the last twenty years, largely due to the rise of the internet, mobile devices, and streaming services.

Question 7

Media convergence has enabled a greater variety of voices to participate in the marketplace of ideas.

Accepted Answer

Media convergence refers to the merging of traditional mass media such as newspapers, TV, and radio with digital media such as blogs, podcasts, social media platforms, and mobile apps. This has resulted in a more diverse range of voices and perspectives being able to participate in the exchange of information and ideas. With the internet and social media, anyone can now create and share content, and this has democratized the flow of information globally.

Question 8

Research indicates that one-third to one-half of Americans today report that they are dependent on the Internet for detailed information about health, science, business, and other issues on a weekly basis.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true according to research.

Question 9

Research today indicates that, despite the results of studies done in the 1970s and 1980s, media do not appear to have much impact on the behavior of children.

Accepted Answer

Research today actually indicates that media does have an impact on the behavior of children, contradicting the results of studies done in the 1970s and 1980s.

Question 10

Cable television is subject to government regulation because it transmits its content over public cable networks.

Accepted Answer

Cable television is subject to government regulation primarily because it uses public rights-of-way for its infrastructure, not because it transmits over public cable networks.

Question 11

Children are more likely to imitate aggressive behavior if they witness the behavior being rewarded rather than punished.

Accepted Answer

Children learn from the consequences of the behavior they witness, and if they see aggressive behavior being rewarded, they are more likely to imitate it. Punishing the aggressive behavior may indicate to the child that it is not acceptable, but it may not necessarily decrease the likelihood of imitation.

Question 12

Whereas the FCC has the authority to regulate broadcast television networks, cable and satellite networks often self-censor in order to avoid offending viewers and advertisers.

Accepted Answer

This is because cable and satellite networks are not regulated by the FCC in the same way that broadcast television networks are. Therefore, they have more freedom in their content but often choose to self-censor to avoid backlash from viewers and advertisers.

Question 13

The diversity of perspectives presented in the media today appears to have made media bias irrelevant because most people are exposed to a greater variety of perspectives on most issues.

Accepted Answer

While it is true that the media today presents a greater variety of perspectives on most issues, media bias still exists and can influence how those perspectives are presented and received by audiences. Additionally, many people still consume media primarily from sources that align with their own perspectives, which can contribute to a lack of exposure to diverse viewpoints.

Question 14

Media coverage of issues may set the agenda for what topics we discuss, how we discuss them, and even how we behave in response to them (for example, in our behavioral choices, purchasing, and even voting).

Accepted Answer

Media coverage carries significant influence in shaping public opinion and can have a direct impact on people's actions and decisions.

Question 15

Despite its reputation for low culture, television has produced more sophisticated programming with greater narrative complexity over the last couple of decades.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Many critically acclaimed shows have emerged on television in the past couple of decades, with complex narratives and themes that rival those of literary fiction or film.

Question 16

We produce mass media messages when we text message our friends or change our Facebook status.

Accepted Answer

Mass media messages are designed for large audiences through mediums like television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, not for private communications like text messages or personal social media updates.

Question 17

Mediated communication technologies like blogs and Twitter may be reducing the agenda-setting power of traditional gatekeepers like television networks and news organizations.

Accepted Answer

Mediated communication technologies give individuals the power to share information and influence public conversation, potentially reducing the dominance of traditional gatekeepers in setting the news agenda.

Question 18

Advances in communication technologies are blurring the lines between traditional mass media and more interpersonal forms of communication.

Accepted Answer

Advances in communication technologies such as social media, instant messaging, and video conferencing are allowing individuals to communicate with larger audiences while also making traditional mass media more personalized and interactive. This blurs the lines between traditional mass media and more interpersonal forms of communication.

Question 19

The First Amendment prevents the government from regulating television content.

Accepted Answer

The First Amendment does not provide an absolute protection for television content. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the authority to regulate television content, particularly when it comes to indecency and obscenity. Additionally, Congress has enacted laws, such as the Children's Television Act and the Television Consumer Freedom Act, that regulate certain aspects of television content.

Question 20

Although the media are often criticized for interfering with social activities, many people turn to the media to meet their social needs.

Accepted Answer

Many people rely on social media platforms to connect with friends and family, and also use traditional media such as TV shows or movies as a basis for social interactions and discussions.

Quiz 24: The Myth of Media Bias: Examining the Reality