Question 1

In 1996, Australian media entrepreneur Rupert Murdoch launched which news channel?

Accepted Answer

Rupert Murdoch launched Fox News in 1996.

Question 2

Which one of the following terms is used to refer to all of the various digital platforms through which individuals receive, share, and produce content?

Accepted Answer

The term "new media" is used to refer to all of the various digital platforms through which individuals receive, share, and produce content.

Question 3

Media that caters to fragmented and specialized audiences is called ______.

Accepted Answer

Niche journalism refers to media outlets that target specific audiences with specialized interests, such as sports fans or environmentalists. This type of journalism has become more prevalent in the digital age, as the internet allows for easy distribution and access to specialized content. New media refers to any digital platforms or technologies, traditional media refers to established forms of mass communication such as newspapers and television, and citizen journalism refers to the practice of ordinary individuals reporting news and events without professional training or affiliations.

Question 4

The 1990s witnessed the rise of which new outlet for television and television news?

Accepted Answer

The 1990s saw the rise of 24-hour cable news channels such as CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News which provided round-the-clock coverage of news events.

Question 5

In order to speak directly to American citizens about the Great Depression and, later, World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt used which of the following?

Accepted Answer

President Franklin Roosevelt used fireside chats to directly speak to American citizens about the Great Depression and World War II. These chats were informal radio broadcasts that gave the president a chance to connect with the people and explain his policies and actions. Unlike radio advertising or television commercials, fireside chats were not scripted or highly produced, which gave them an authentic and personal feel.

Question 6

Since they operate under looser regulatory constraints than the broadcast networks, television news has become more ______ and less ______.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A) partisan, less objective because looser regulatory constraints allow for more biased or partisan content, reducing the objectivity of television news.

Question 7

Today's radio talk shows are often but not solely used to distribute partisan messages for which of the following political parties?

Accepted Answer

While all political parties might have radio talk shows that promote their political agenda, talk shows are most commonly associated with the Republican party, which has a significant presence in conservative talk radio.

Question 8

During the progressive era, many investigative journalists were nicknamed ______.

Accepted Answer

During the progressive era, many investigative journalists were nicknamed muckrakers because of their tendency to expose corruption and wrongdoing in society, just as a person might "rake" through mud to find valuables.

Question 9

As the Vietnam War progressed, American casualties mounted, and protests against American involvement spread and grew, trusted television journalist ______ questioned if the war had become unwinnable.

Accepted Answer

Walter Cronkite, known as "the most trusted man in America," famously questioned the winnability of the Vietnam War in a special report for CBS News in 1968. This report is often cited as a turning point in public opinion against the war.

Question 10

Which of the following technologies first allowed the instantaneous transmission of news over long distances in the mid to late 19th century?

Accepted Answer

The telegraph allowed for the instantaneous transmission of news over long distances through the use of Morse code. The telephone and internet were not invented until well into the 20th century, and while the Pony Express carried mail across the American West, it was not instantaneous and was eventually replaced by telegraph lines.

Question 11

The Associated Press took advantage of telegraph technology to create the world's first ______.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions the use of telegraph technology to create a "wire service," which refers to the transmission of news stories over a network of wires. Therefore, the correct answer is (C) wire service. The other options are either too broad or not directly related to the impact of telegraph technology on news transmission.

Question 12

In September 1960, candidates ______ and ______ participated in the first of a series of televised presidential debates in the U.S. history.

Accepted Answer

John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon were the candidates who participated in the first televised presidential debates in the U.S. history in September 1960.

Question 13

A news reporter follows an important story from its origins to its ultimate end by digging into every possible corner of the story. This would be an example of ______ journalism.

Accepted Answer

Investigative journalism involves deep and thorough research to uncover the truth, often involving digging into every possible corner of a story. This is exactly what the news reporter is doing in this scenario. Partisan journalism involves showing bias towards one particular political party or viewpoint, yellow journalism focuses on sensationalism and exaggeration, and citizen journalism involves members of the public reporting on news events through their own perspectives and experiences.

Question 14

While often criticized, cable news channels are ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While often criticized, cable news channels are...

Question 15

Technological advances during the 20th century brought news, political figures, and candidates into Americans' lives in a ______ way.

Accepted Answer

Technological advances such as radio, television, and the internet have allowed news, political figures, and candidates to reach Americans directly, bypassing traditional gatekeepers like newspapers.

Question 16

Talk radio broadcasts have been criticized for their efforts to ______.

Accepted Answer

Talk radio broadcasts are known to use provocative language and opinions to stir up emotions in their listeners, which can lead to greater engagement and higher ratings. Critics argue that this approach can be harmful and divisive, and encourages polarization rather than constructive dialogue.

Question 17

The internet was first developed and deployed through a collaboration between ______ and ______.

Accepted Answer

The internet was initially developed and deployed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in collaboration with research universities as a means of communication for the military. The CIA and NSA were involved in the development of the internet, but they were not the primary collaborators. The FBI was not involved in the development of the internet.

Question 18

Outlets for news and other content that relies on mass-communications technology to bring stories directly into people's homes but are subject to stricter content regulations than cable television outlets and alternative sources of information are known as ______ media.

Accepted Answer

Outlets for news and other content that rely on mass-communications technology but are subject to stricter content regulations than cable television outlets and alternative sources of information are known as broadcast media. Cable television outlets and alternative sources of information are not subject to the same level of regulation as broadcast media. Mass media is a term that can refer to any form of communication that reaches large audiences, including both broadcast and non-broadcast forms of media. Citizen media refers to content created by non-professional journalists, often using social media platforms. News media refers specifically to outlets that focus on news and current events.

Question 19

A strategy used to create a greater presence of traditional network broadcast journalists in other venues has been to ______.

Accepted Answer

The strategy to create a greater presence of traditional network broadcast journalists in other venues is to highlight their visibility in order to reach larger audiences. By doing this, their reach expands beyond traditional news broadcasting and attracts a wider audience base.

Question 20

In 1961, John F. Kennedy, having won the presidency, gave the first live televised ______.

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about the first live televised event that John F. Kennedy gave after being elected president. The most common event that presidents hold after winning an election is a press conference, where they take questions from journalists. While presidents also give public speeches and issue executive orders, those would not typically be the first live televised event they hold after being elected. Therefore, the best choice is A) news conference.

Quiz 6: The Media: Truth, Power, and American Democracy