Deck 10: Media and Politics

Question 1

The U.S.government owns what percentage of the major television outlets?

A)0%
B)25%
C)50%
D)75%
E)100%

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The burden of proof in cases of prior restraint rests on __________.

A)the media
B)the government
C)the courts
D)an independent commission
E)the Federal Communications Commission

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Selective exposure,selective perception,and selective retention are ways in which individuals try to avoid or reduce which of the following?

A)cognitive consistency
B)cognitive dissonance
C)cognitive correlation
D)cognitive lapse
E)cognitive inconsistency

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Newspapers in the U.S.differ from those in other countries in that most are __________.

A)printed daily
B)printed weekly
C)continental in scope
D)local in scope
E)national in scope

Question 5

What is the term for presenting news stories that cast a favored party or politician in a positive light while ignoring stories that would cast the party or politician in a negative light?

A)statement bias
B)coverage bias
C)gatekeeping bias
D)self-assessment
E)provisional editing

Question 6

Which of the following statements characterizes government funding for public broadcasting in the United States?

A)Public broadcasting wouldn't survive without government funds.
B)Public broadcasting receives a large share of its funds from the government.
C)Only a small share of funds comes from the government.
D)The government gives no money to public broadcasting.
E)It is illegal for the government to fund public broadcasting.

Question 7

What is media bias?

A)favorable treatment of certain politicians,policy positions,and political outcomes
B)following political poll numbers rather than the issues
C)focusing on a specific angle of a news story and disregarding others
D)consumers' tendency to remember only what they agree with
E)consumers seeking out stories that only confirm what they already believe

Question 8

What government entity oversees the broadcast media?

A)Congress
B)the FCC
C)the FEC
D)the SEC
E)the EPA

Question 9

Campaign efforts that aim to hit particular voters with very specific messages tied to their individual demographics and attitudes are known as __________.

A)watchdog journalism
B)yellow journalism
C)lobbying
D)microtargeting
E)earned media

Question 10

Which media outlet was the first to report Osama bin Laden's death?

A)radio
B)television
C)Twitter
D)Facebook
E)CNN

Question 11

What is it called when the media focus on the poll numbers of a candidate or issue rather than the position of the candidate or specifics of the issue?

A)horse race coverage
B)yellow journalism
C)prior restraint
D)watchdog journalism
E)public good

Question 12

Government ownership of newspapers is __________.

A)highly unusual in industrialized democracies
B)unusual in most industrialized democracies
C)never occurs in industrialized democracies
D)common in industrialized democracies
E)very common in industrialized democracies

Question 13

Much of the evidence in the debate over media bias in covering politics does which of the following?

A)points to a liberal bias
B)points to a conservative bias
C)indicates coverage is fair and balanced
D)is anecdotal and mixed
E)indicates both liberal and conservative bias

Question 14

According to the text,the U.S.media often plays a role as which of the following?

A)analyst
B)social critic
C)watchdog
D)voice of conscience
E)dissenter

Question 15

News coverage that is determined to be important to a news outlet's audience,solely by virtue of the news story's content,is called __________.

A)centered media
B)earned media
C)oriented media
D)microtargeting
E)media wars

Question 16

The broadcast-media spectrum is considered a __________.

A)private asset
B)public asset
C)corporate asset
D)government asset
E)commonwealth asset

Question 17

The minimal-effects finding in the early literature concerning the effects of mass media refers to the fact that __________.

A)most people did not pay any attention to the media
B)most people considered the media to be untrustworthy
C)the media typically did not address political issues
D)changes in people's voting due to mass-media coverage was rare.
E)yellow journalism generally had mixed results on people

Question 18

The so-called minimal effect of the media on public opinion refers specifically to the media's ability to influence people's __________.

A)opinions on foreign policy
B)opinions on individual candidates
C)political efficacy
D)voting behavior
E)trust in the government

Question 19

If a media message is very quiet,you should expect opinion change among which demographic?

A)primarily elderly viewers
B)viewers who are politically moderate
C)those who are most politically attentive
D)those who are never politically attentive
E)primarily young viewers

Question 20

Who are the most likely people to be convinced by the media?

A)people with low levels of political attentiveness and few predispositions
B)people with high levels of political attentiveness and many predispositions
C)people with moderate levels of political attentiveness and many predispositions
D)people with moderate levels of political attentiveness and a moderate number of predispositions
E)people with low levels of political attentiveness and no predispositions

Question 21

A news agency that gives more positive press coverage to a specific candidate and favors specific policies in order to present information that is consistent with consumers' beliefs has engaged in __________.

A)objectivity
B)a watchdog function
C)advocacy journalism
D)social media
E)a revolving door

Question 22

Which of the following is a media effect in which a journalist condenses information in a story in order to simplify the issue for the audience?

A)priming
B)framing
C)selective exposure
D)agenda setting
E)minimal effect

Question 23

Based on what we know about people's receptivity to the media,a hard-core Democrat would most likely respond to negative campaign reports on a Democratic candidate by __________.

A)ignoring the message or rationalizing it away
B)critically evaluating the message for its truth content
C)changing his or her opinion about the candidate
D)increasing the intensity of an original belief
E)decreasing the intensity of an original belief

Question 24

The quality,quantity,diversity,and power of media are directly correlated to which of these?

A)consumers' self-editing
B)the means of its creation and distribution
C)content analysis
D)the proximity of reporters to events
E)microtargeting

Question 25

Which of these individuals was involved in an incident that worried scholars about the effects of the media on the public?

A)Harry Truman
B)Theodore Roosevelt
C)Fidel Castro
D)Orson Welles
E)Lyndon Johnson

Question 26

The rise of __________ has led to the idea that audiences should receive their news for free.

A)newspapers
B)magazines
C)news shows
D)the Internet
E)libraries

Question 27

U.S.media are generally allowed to publish or broadcast free from the threat of prior restraint.Which of these constitutes an exception to this freedom?

A)a senator's reelection campaign strategy
B)exit polls during a close election
C)top-secret military operations
D)the adverse effects of the Endangered Species Act
E)the president's past financial affairs

Question 28

Presenting news stories that cast a favored politician in a positive light while ignoring negative information on that politician is an example of __________.

A)statement bias
B)coverage bias
C)gatekeeping bias
D)political bias
E)reporting bias

Question 29

Which media contributed to fascism gaining political power in Europe so quickly?

A)leaflets
B)newspapers
C)radio
D)Morse code
E)magazines

Question 30

Which of the following would be considered an example of media bias,given the definition of the media's objectivity ethic?

A)Bill O'Reilly endorsing Romney over Obama
B)an editorial in the New York Times endorsing Obama over Romney
C)CNN endorsing Romney over Obama
D)an individual's blog endorsing Obama over Romney
E)Rush Limbaugh endorsing Romney over Obama

Question 31

The term "prior restraint" refers to the government's ability to __________.

A)intervene to prevent the publication of materials it finds objectionable
B)punish the publication of material it finds objectionable
C)review and censor material it finds objectionable
D)demand a correction of information that was published and found objectionable
E)pull public funding for a publication it finds objectionable

Question 32

What is the twentieth-century equivalent of Samuel F.B.Morse's nineteenth-century electronic telegram in regard to the delivery of news?

A)cell phones
B)the Internet
C)the transatlantic cable
D)the U.S.Postal Service
E)cable television

Question 33

A false or unsubstantiated attack on someone's good name and reputation is called __________.

A)slander
B)libel
C)defamation
D)gossip
E)calumny

Question 34

According to the results of a survey conducted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors,which of the following receives overly favorable coverage?

A)the military
B)the poor
C)labor unions
D)liberal groups
E)gun owners

Question 35

When is the U.S.media subject to prior restraint?

A)at all times,and they must comply
B)only under certain circumstances
C)all the time,but it is often ignored
D)when the government asks
E)never

Question 36

According to the results of a survey conducted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors,which of the following receives largely unfavorable coverage?

A)the poor
B)the wealthy
C)the military
D)bloggers
E)citizen journalists

Question 37

Laws that grant reporters certain exemptions from having to testify in legal matters are called __________.

A)shield laws
B)privacy laws
C)advocacy laws
D)confidentiality laws
E)safeguard laws

Question 38

Many critics believe that the U.S.political press corps did not raise enough questions about the intelligence used to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq.This lack of criticism is considered an absence of what?

A)self-censoring
B)a watchdog function
C)insider journalism
D)prior restraint
E)subjective reporting

Question 39

The media have greater latitude in criticizing public figures.In an attempt to sue,a public figure must prove that which of these occurred on the part of the media?

A)falsehood
B)malice
C)defamation
D)objectivity
E)coercion

Question 40

The fact that many people were surprised when Barack Obama came to office and pursued health care reform,strengthened financial market regulations,and ended America's involvement in Iraq can be seen as a result of what?

A)media coverage of the election as a horse race
B)stringers who go after sound bites
C)social media discussion of the election
D)microtargeting strategy by advertisers
E)media bias reflected in election coverage

Question 41

Reporters at a magazine are covering a presidential election.Stories posted to the magazine's Web site about the Democratic candidate include comments about how the candidate's policies are more just,and how the candidate is in touch with the nation at large.Stories on the Republican include comments that the candidate has unfair economic policies and is disconnected from the working class.What phenomenon is this?

A)gatekeeping bias
B)coverage bias
C)a horse race
D)statement bias
E)entertainment orientation

Question 42

The text states,"The question of media bias depends entirely on the particular medium's own definition of objectivity-its stated commitment to avoid partisan or political bias." Which of the following would then be considered bias?

A)an openly conservative radio host endorsing a conservative candidate
B)an openly liberal radio host endorsing a liberal candidate
C)an impartial or objective television host endorsing a particular candidate
D)an impartial or objective television host criticizing all the candidates
E)an openly liberal television host criticizing a conservative candidate

Question 43

The Center for Media and Public Affairs found that in the 2008 election,Barack Obama received the most favorable coverage of any general-election candidate for the presidency since 1980.With this in mind,what does the evidence for media bias indicate?

A)The media leans heavily to the right.
B)The media leans heavily to the left.
C)The media leans moderately to the right.
D)The media leans moderately to the left.
E)The media has zero overall bias.

Question 44

Imagine a reporter runs two stories.One is concerned with aspects of drone attacks in a foreign country,and the other pertains to election fraud in the New York governor's race.Which story has the potential for legal action under prior restraint,and why?

A)drone attacks,because of election policies
B)the New York race,because of election policies
C)drone attacks,because of national security
D)the New York race,because of state security
E)drone attacks,because of possible media bias

Question 45

Political polls show that certain policies resonate with younger voters.Say that a political candidate hopes to garner more votes from 18- to 25-year-olds by using social media sites to showcase aspects of the political platform this group favors.This is an example of __________.

A)microtargeting
B)paid media
C)earned media
D)a horse race
E)strategy framing

Question 46

Consumption of comedy shows such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report as a news source has risen in recent years.This could possibly be seen as a result of what media phenomenon?

A)government-owned media
B)privately owned media
C)media cynicism
D)media bias
E)investigative journalism

Question 47

Imagine that over the months leading up to an election,news and media outlets have emphasized topics X,Y,and Z.Although the incumbent was successful on a number of political issues,he loses his reelection bid.Exit polls show that voters felt he was a failure as a politician because he did not address the topics the media had been addressing.What media effect is this?

A)framing
B)selective exposure
C)priming
D)minimal effect
E)agenda setting

Question 48

When Judith Miller of the New York Times was called to testify before a Federal Grand Jury,she refused to reveal her source.As a consequence,she was jailed for 85 days.To protect themselves from such compelled testimony,reporters have advocated for __________.

A)shield laws
B)selective exposure
C)reporting walls
D)protective testimony
E)anonymity statements

Question 49

Which of these is an example of a media horse race?

A)comparing immigration policies of competing candidates
B)examining taxable incomes of competing candidates
C)covering behind the scenes action
D)focusing on foreign policy rather than domestic policies
E)analyzing competing candidates' economic programs

Question 50

In recent years,mainstream media has been accused of bias and self-censorship.Which answer best describes this shift?

A)Mainstream media does not produce as much real news.
B)The general populace no longer consumes mainstream news.
C)Independent journalists and blogs have challenged mainstream news.
D)Government policies regulate mainstream news more now than in the past.
E)Government policies regulate mainstream news less now than in the past.

Question 51

A liberal media consumer seeks out only those media broadcasts that align with his or her politics.The consumer is engaging in which of the following?

A)selective exposure
B)selective perception
C)selective retention
D)cognitive dissonance
E)political attentiveness

Question 52

What strategy does today's media use to maximize its advertising reach during an election cycle?

A)earned media
B)paid media
C)microtargeting
D)infotainment
E)topical bias

Question 53

Courts have ruled that print media cannot be forced to print news coverage it would not otherwise report.Broadcast media must abide by different rules,such as providing equal access to political figures.Why does this difference exist?

A)Print media is considered a public asset.
B)Broadcast media is considered a public asset.
C)Broadcast media is considered a private asset.
D)The Internet is considered a public asset.
E)Print media adheres to the bias clause.

Question 54

In the twenty-first century,media consumers have often replaced traditional reporters.This has included their functions as gatekeepers and content creators.What two factors have most contributed to this shift?

A)radio and social media
B)social media and the Internet
C)newspapers and radio
D)print media and radio
E)magazines and the Internet

Question 55

Imagine that a news outlet or reporter favors a particular candidate or political party.In the process of reporting political coverage,the news gives more than 75 percent of its coverage to Party A,while Party B receives less than 25 percent.At the same time,news stories that cover Party A lean toward the positive,while negative stories are ignored.What types of bias are being committed on behalf of Party A,respectively?

A)statement and coverage
B)coverage and gatekeeping
C)coverage and statement
D)statement and gatekeeping
E)gatekeeping and statement

Question 56

An individual who is highly ideological in his or her political views,but who understands little of the actual political messaging through the media,is said to have which of these?

A)high political attentiveness and high political predisposition
B)high political attentiveness and low political predisposition
C)low political attentiveness and low political predisposition
D)low political attentiveness and high political predisposition
E)equal political attentiveness and political predisposition

Question 57

During the 2012 presidential election,media coverage leaned heavily toward economic and social issues,with coverage on the conflicts in Afghanistan and Syria mostly ignored.This media effect is known as what?

A)minimal effect
B)maximal effect
C)agenda setting
D)information setting
E)framing

Question 58

Individuals involved in certain aspects of the media may attend political rallies or public meetings in order to hold elected officials accountable for promises made during political campaigns.But individuals may also hold those in the mainstream media accountable.Both elected officials and those in the media may not want to report certain happenings.What role are the above two groups of individuals fulfilling with respect to politics and the media?

A)mass media
B)watchdog
C)advocacy journalism
D)new journalism
E)social media

Question 59

In the week prior to the 2012 presidential election,President Obama traveled to the Northeast to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.Those who supported the president believed he truly cared about the people involved,stating how presidential he was.His detractors believed he was involved in political opportunism.Both sides engaged in what behavior?

A)framing
B)priming
C)cognitive dissonance
D)selective perception
E)selective retention

Question 60

Because more and more individuals get their news from Web-based sources,the ability to track individuals' news preferences leads to more tailored advertising and political messaging.This is called __________.

A)media bias
B)infotainment
C)earned media
D)microtargeting
E)paid media

Question 61

Judith Miller of the New York Times spent 85 days in jail because __________ do not exist at the federal level.

Question 62

Most Americans get their news from cable news networks.

Question 63

A __________ describes media coverage of candidates in an election that focuses on who and what are up or down in the latest polls.

Question 64

The press freedoms that we recognize today had largely been established in case law and federal statute.

Question 65

One aspect of press freedom that was won in the twentieth century was the right to cover people's private lives.

Question 66

Public response to the 1938 radio broadcast of H.G.Wells's The War of the Worlds illustrates the early power of the media over public opinion.

Question 67

In cases where the public interest is at stake,the government can compel the print media to publish certain information.

Question 68

The Valerie Plame incident revealed a sometimes inherent conflict of interest between freedom of the press and the government's ability to fulfill its duties.

Question 69

The advances in satellite technology have contributed to the decline in viewership of network nightly news.

Question 70

Media bias leans heavily liberal.

Question 71

Selective perception makes people more likely to rate the performance of their own party's candidate more highly in a debate.

Question 72

Blogs are beginning to play an important role in American politics.

Question 73

In-depth reporting of elections focusing on policies and substance is called the horse race.

Question 74

The case of a false accusation against a public figure by a newspaper cannot be considered defamation if there is no malicious intent.

Question 75

If a reporter falsely accuses the government of being involved in a corruption scandal,but the reporter claims that she was misled by what seemed to be a credible source,this can nonetheless be considered defamation.

Question 76

_____________ is defined as presenting news stories that cast a favored party or politician in a positive light while ignoring stories that would cast the party or politician in a negative light.

Question 77

It is common for industrialized countries' governments to own at least one major newspaper.

Question 78

____________ refers to news outlets presenting news with an either explicit or implicit point of view favoring certain political positions.

Question 79

Prior restraint is defined as government intervention to prevent the publication of material it finds ________.

Question 80

The term "mass media" refers to the actual communications media as well as the individuals who are responsible for their content.