Question 1

One of the criticisms levied against the media is that:

Accepted Answer

The media is often criticized for having too much influence over which issues, events, and personalities gain public attention, effectively shaping public discourse and priorities through agenda-setting.

Question 2

In the context of agenda setting, _____ are stories about how the world works.

Accepted Answer

Frames are used in agenda setting to structure the presentation of news stories in a way that shapes how the audience understands and interprets them. They are essentially stories about how the world works, influencing the perception of issues.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the media and the First Amendment?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

Which of the following is true of television?

Accepted Answer

Television's format inherently limits the depth and complexity with which issues can be presented, often necessitating simplification or summarization of content to fit time constraints and the visual nature of the medium.

Question 5

Which of the following is true of the old media in the twentieth century?

Accepted Answer

Radio, introduced in the early twentieth century, did not displace print media but rather coexisted with it, offering a new medium for entertainment and news without eliminating the need or desire for printed materials.

Question 6

Which of the following was one of the first forms of new media in the twentieth century?

Accepted Answer

Motion pictures, emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, represented a significant form of new media, introducing moving visual content to the public in a way that had not been experienced before.

Question 7

A television news show covered the story of a young girl who had cancer but did not have proper medical insurance to cover the expenses of her treatment. It showed how difficult it was for her to meet her daily expenses and how she had to drop out of college due to her illness. The show influenced the viewers' attitude in a positive way which made them donate money toward the cause. In this case, the media used a technique called _____.

Accepted Answer

Framing refers to the way media outlets shape and present a story to influence the audience's perception and interpretation. In this case, the television news show framed the story of the young girl's struggle with cancer and financial difficulties in a manner that elicited empathy and motivated viewers to donate, demonstrating the power of framing in shaping public response.

Question 8

During a presidential campaign, Alexander's campaign manager ran multiple television broadcasts that focused on the flaws in the stand taken by Daniel, Alexander's opponent, on immigration and unemployment. The broadcast is an example of _____.

Accepted Answer

The broadcast focuses on criticizing the opponent's stance rather than promoting Alexander's policies or achievements, which is characteristic of negative political advertising. It aims to influence voters by highlighting the negatives of the opponent.

Question 9

Identify a true statement about media trends among today's youth.

Accepted Answer

Today's youth are increasingly moving away from traditional cable TV services, favoring the flexibility and variety offered by online streaming platforms. This shift reflects broader trends in media consumption towards digital and on-demand content.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true of the concept of freedom of the press?

Accepted Answer

Freedom of the press has been a fundamental principle applied to print media since the adoption of the Bill of Rights, which includes the First Amendment, in 1791. This amendment explicitly prohibits Congress from making laws "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press," thereby establishing a long-standing protection for print media in the United States.

Question 11

Identify a true statement about television reporting.

Accepted Answer

Television's visual nature significantly influences its impact and can introduce bias, as visuals can be selected or framed in a way that subtly conveys a particular viewpoint or emotion, affecting viewers' perceptions.

Question 12

Identify a true statement about media in the twentieth century.

Accepted Answer

The Internet, including e-mail and the World Wide Web, indeed became widely used by the general public in the 1990s, marking a significant shift in how information was accessed and shared globally.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of concentrated ownership of media?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following statements is true...

Question 14

Following World War II (1939-1945), _____ became the dominant form of communication.

Accepted Answer

Following World War II, broadcast television became the dominant form of communication, rapidly expanding in popularity and reach, significantly influencing public opinion and culture.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true about media?

Accepted Answer

Radio, television, and print media have continued to play a significant role in American politics and government, serving as primary sources of information, platforms for political discourse, and means for politicians to communicate with the public.

Question 16

Recently, a famous news channel of a country broadcasted that the country experienced the lowest rate of unemployment in the last ten years. This made the viewers feel optimistic. In this scenario, the media outlet was able to influence the viewers' opinions with a technique called _____.

Accepted Answer

Priming refers to the media's ability to shape viewers' perceptions or opinions by highlighting certain events, facts, or issues. In this scenario, by broadcasting the country's lowest unemployment rate in ten years, the media outlet influenced viewers to feel optimistic, demonstrating the priming effect.

Question 17

Identify an accurate statement about the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Accepted Answer

Film was indeed one of the first new media forms to be considered under the First Amendment, reflecting the evolving nature of what constitutes "speech" and "press" in the context of technological advancements.

Question 18

In 1800, an article in the Federalist Gazette of the United States described Thomas Jefferson as having a "weakness of nerves, want of fortitude, and total imbecility of character." This is most likely an example of a _____.

Accepted Answer

This description of Thomas Jefferson is a personal attack ad because it focuses on criticizing his personal qualities and character rather than addressing his political views or policies.

Question 19

Identify an accurate statement about issue ads.

Accepted Answer

Issue ads often focus on the perceived flaws or shortcomings in an opponent's stance on various issues, using these perceived flaws to criticize or undermine the opponent's campaign. These ads are a form of negative campaigning but are distinct from personal attacks in that they focus on issues rather than personal characteristics.

Question 20

In order to attract more viewers, the television news industry:

Accepted Answer

The television news industry has increasingly turned to "infotainment" programs, which blend information and entertainment, to attract more viewers. This approach makes news more appealing to a broader audience by incorporating elements of entertainment.

Quiz 10: Politics and the Media