Question 1

With the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the first significant overhaul of federal communications in over six decades, its supporters suggested that it would allow anyone to go into the communications business, increasing competition at the dawn of a new, Internet-driven information age.Ironically, however, one of its most notable effects was:

Accepted Answer

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 led to increased media consolidation, allowing large companies to merge and acquire more media outlets, reducing competition.

Question 2

Over the past decade, an increasing number of states have legalized marijuana within their jurisdictions.Many did so for medical use only, while others, starting with Colorado, went further by approving recreational use.Either way, most states enacted legalization not through their representatives, but processes in which policy proposals are put directly before voters.These ballot measures are referred to as _______________.

Accepted Answer

Initiatives and referendums are processes that allow voters to decide on policy proposals directly, bypassing the legislative body.

Question 3

While the American news media may not intend to tell people what to think about a given politician, elected official, or public policy issue, it can nonetheless have an agenda-setting effect through ________________.

Accepted Answer

The agenda-setting effect occurs when the media focuses on certain stories or issues, thereby influencing the public's perception of what is important. This is known as priming.

Question 4

American radio and television are regulated by an independent regulatory agency established in 1934 called the:

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as it is the independent regulatory agency established in 1934 that regulates American radio and television. The Public Broadcasting Corporation is a nonprofit organization that operates public broadcasting stations, the National Broadcasting Commission does not exist as an actual entity, and the National Public Regulation Authority is also a fictitious entity.

Question 5

Expressions of public opinion are easy to interpret.

Accepted Answer

Expressions of public opinion can be complex and often require careful analysis and interpretation to fully understand their meaning and implications. Factors such as the context, timing, and demographics of the individuals expressing their opinions can all play a role in shaping the overall message conveyed.

Question 6

Americans have a consensus around the idea that, whenever possible, elected public officials should be chosen by majority vote.

Accepted Answer

The principle of majority rule is a fundamental aspect of democratic systems, including in the United States, where it is generally accepted that elected officials should be chosen by a majority vote whenever feasible.

Question 7

Timeliness was previously seen as a strong suit of broadcast media, with in-depth coverage and analysis the strong suit of newspapers and magazines.Today, however, traditional media operations, as well as younger competitors, often combine those strengths through:

Accepted Answer

Traditional media and newer competitors now use the Internet to provide breaking news content, which includes both timely updates and in-depth analysis, combining the strengths of both broadcast media and print media.

Question 8

Citizens in the United States have only a narrow set of means to express their opinions.

Accepted Answer

Citizens in the United States have a wide range of means to express their opinions, including voting, participating in protests or rallies, writing letters to elected officials, and engaging with social media.

Question 9

Identities are both psychological and sociological.

Accepted Answer

Identities involve both individual psychological processes (such as self-perception and self-esteem) and sociological factors (such as social norms and cultural values).

Question 10

The great principle underlying the federal government's relationship with the press is the prohibition against prior restraint, meaning that federal officials cannot:

Accepted Answer

The principle of prohibition against prior restraint means that the government cannot prevent the press from publishing or broadcasting news reports before they are made public.

Question 11

Often individuals will consciously or unconsciously adapt their views to those of the groups with which they identify.

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as conformity, where individuals change their beliefs or behaviors to align with the norms or expectations of a group they belong to or wish to be accepted by.

Question 12

If the federal government allowed issues, including controversial ones such as gun control measures, to be decided by the public in national referendums, inconsistencies between public opinion and public policy could well be reduced.What does the congressional lawmaking process allow, however, that legislating through direct democracy would not?

Accepted Answer

The congressional lawmaking process allows for reflection and compromise, which are essential for considering diverse viewpoints and reaching balanced decisions, something that direct democracy through referendums might not facilitate as effectively.

Question 13

When media reporting affects the way people perceive a certain issue or matter-such as the perception of crime through an intense focus on news about violent crime-it can be said to have had ______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When media reporting affects the way people...

Question 14

In recent years, much of the content of the news, especially local news, has shifted away from politics and public affairs toward entertainment and lifestyle reports known as:

Accepted Answer

Soft news refers to news that is more focused on entertainment, lifestyle, and human-interest stories rather than serious political or public affairs.

Question 15

An annual Pew Research Center survey has found, over time, that most Americans hold some mix of liberal and conservative views, and tend toward the political center.

Accepted Answer

The Pew Research Center has consistently found that many Americans hold a combination of liberal and conservative views, indicating a tendency towards moderate or centrist political positions.

Question 16

Between 6 a.m.and 10 p.m., American radio and television stations are prohibited by federal regulations from airing:

Accepted Answer

Federal regulations prohibit airing programs with explicit material between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. to protect children from exposure to inappropriate content.

Question 17

Membership in a social group rarely affects an individual's political orientation.

Accepted Answer

Membership in a social group can often influence an individual's political orientation through shared values, beliefs, and goals within the group. Group identity can also shape an individual's perception of political issues and candidates.

Question 18

The federal broadcast regulation requiring that radio and television stations give individuals the opportunity to respond to the airing of personal attacks against them is the:

Accepted Answer

The right of rebuttal is a regulation that allows individuals the opportunity to respond to personal attacks made against them on broadcast media.

Question 19

Identity politics are often zero-sum; that is, if one group wins, another loses.

Accepted Answer

Identity politics can be zero-sum because they often focus on specific group interests, which can lead to competition for limited resources or recognition, resulting in perceived or actual losses for other groups.

Question 20

Like liberalism, conservatism is a relatively monolithic and unchanging ideology.

Accepted Answer

Conservatism is not a monolithic and unchanging ideology. It encompasses a variety of beliefs and approaches, and evolves over time in response to historical and social changes. Different forms of conservatism can vary in their views on economic policy, social issues, foreign policy, and other matters.

Quiz 9: Public Opinion and the Media