Question 1

Available evidence seems to indicate that most journalists and reporters have which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Studies and surveys consistently show that a majority of journalists and reporters identify as liberal or lean towards liberal views. This does not necessarily mean that all journalists and reporters hold the same views, but it does suggest that the media as a whole may have a left-leaning bias.

Question 2

In the past twenty-five years, Americans' confidence in the press has done which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Over the past twenty-five years, surveys and studies have shown that Americans' confidence in the press has decreased significantly, with some reports indicating a decline of around 50%.

Question 3

Priming can be defined as a way in which the media does which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Priming is a process by which the media alters public perceptions of an issue by embedding that issue in particular stories. It works by bringing certain issues to the forefront of people's minds, influencing the way they think about and understand those issues. This can have an impact on public opinion, as well as on policy decisions made by elected officials.

Question 4

Journalists are more likely to identify as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have shown that journalists are more likely to identify as Democrats than Republicans or independents.

Question 5

Framing is best defined as influence on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Framing refers to the way a story is presented or covered, including the details and context offered in the report, and how this can influence public opinion.

Question 6

A television network decides to run a series of news stories highlighting the need for stronger regulations over gun sales and purchases. This example is representative of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Agenda setting refers to the media's ability to influence the importance placed on certain topics and issues. By running a series of news stories on gun regulations, the television network is attempting to set the agenda and bring attention to the issue.

Question 7

What is the significance of the Supreme Court decision in New York Times v. Sullivan?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the significance of the Supreme...

Question 8

Lisa watched a news report on recycling and was proud that citizens had stepped up to be more conscious of what they throw away. Jeremy heard a similar report on the radio as he drove home and was frustrated because it showed that companies were still putting products in nonrecyclable containers. These two responses to similar information demonstrate the effect of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The different responses of Lisa and Jeremy to the news report on recycling demonstrate the effect of framing, which refers to how information is presented and can shape an individual's interpretation and response to the information. Lisa's positive response may be due to the report framing recycling as a positive behavior that citizens are engaging in, while Jeremy's negative response may be due to the report framing companies as not doing enough to promote recycling.

Question 9

When a news program begins the broadcast each day with a certain political story and continues to highlight this issue for several days, it suggests to the public that this political story is an important issue. Which function of agenda setting does this?

Accepted Answer

Priming is the function of agenda setting that involves media highlighting certain issues as important by discussing them repeatedly, which can influence the public's opinions and attitudes towards those issues.

Question 10

Issues that are perceived by the political community as meriting public attention and governmental action are known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The public agenda refers to issues that are seen as important and require attention and action from the government. Infotainment refers to media content designed for entertainment rather than informative purposes. Watchdog news involves journalism focused on exposing corruption or wrongdoing. Whistleblowing refers to the act of disclosing illegal or unethical behavior within an organization. Priming news refers to how media coverage can affect the way viewers perceive specific issues or topics.

Question 11

The distribution and regulation of frequencies for electronic media is the responsibility of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for regulating and distributing frequencies for electronic media, such as television, radio, and internet. The FCC ensures that all content broadcasted over the electronic media follow certain guidelines and standards. The other options listed (National Public Radio, Supreme Court, Federal Trade Commission, and First Amendment) do not have the same responsibility for regulating and distributing electronic media frequencies.

Question 12

Which of the following words best describes today's media environment?

Accepted Answer

Today's media environment is characterized by an abundance of choices. Consumers have access to a wide range of sources for news and information, including traditional media outlets, social media, blogs, podcasts, and more. This proliferation of options allows people to seek out news and perspectives that align with their interests and worldview, but it also presents challenges in terms of media literacy and discerning credible sources.

Question 13

If a cable news channel decides to report on a senator's financial indiscretions rather than report on a piece of congressional legislation that failed to pass, that news channel is practicing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Agenda setting is the process of media outlets deciding which topics to cover and which ones to ignore. By choosing to report on the senator's financial indiscretions instead of the failed legislation, the news channel is setting their agenda and deciding what issues they want their viewers to pay attention to.

Question 14

Which of the following presidents was the first to use the radio to speak directly to the American people?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to use the radio to speak directly to the American people. He began his famous "fireside chats" in 1933 to address the nation on various topics, including the economy and World War II.

Question 15

When politicians avoid public scrutiny or limit themselves to staged events, they are said to stay in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

When politicians avoid public scrutiny or limit themselves to staged events, they are said to stay in "the bubble." This refers to their insulation from the general public and their controlled environment. The other choices are not as appropriate because they are either too general (news sphere, news cycle) or too specific (hot seat, spin room) and do not capture the connotation of being isolated or sheltered from public scrutiny.

Question 16

Which of the following is a concern about soft news?

Accepted Answer

Soft news often relies heavily on visual elements and human interest stories, which can be emotionally appealing but may not provide enough substance for viewers to fully understand and analyze complex issues. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking and engagement with important topics.

Question 17

According to Gallup Poll data, about half of Americans feel that the news media have what type of bias?

Accepted Answer

According to Gallup Poll data, around 50% of Americans feel that the news media has a liberal bias.

Question 18

Which of the following refers to the ability of the media to alter the public's view on an issue by presenting it in a particular way?

Accepted Answer

Framing refers to the media's ability to influence the public's perception of an issue by presenting it in a specific way. This can be done through language choices, focus, and tone. Agenda setting refers to the media's power to determine which issues are considered important to the public, while softening and sensationalizing refer to tactics used to manipulate the audience's emotions rather than their perceptions. Investigating refers to the action of researching and reporting on a topic or issue.

Question 19

What are the three important functions of the news media? Give an example of each function.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three important functions of...

Question 20

In January 2013, the government shut down as part of a sequestration. Some reports focused more on negative consequences of sequestration, while others discussed how Tea Party members of Congress pushed for fiscal responsibility. What aspect of agenda setting does this represent?

Accepted Answer

This represents framing, as different media outlets presented the government shutdown in different ways, framing the issue to prioritize either negative consequences or fiscal responsibility.

Quiz 7: The News and Social Media