Question 1

The ________ act as a broker between ________ and ________.
A) public; the news media; the political elite
B) political elite; the people they serve; the news media
C) news media; the political elite; the people they serve
D) political elite; news media; pollsters

Accepted Answer

The news media act as a broker between the political elite and the people they serve, facilitating communication and information flow between these two groups.

Question 2

"Individual responsibility" is _______ often employed by _______ in Canada to mobilize their supporters without drawing too much resistance from their opponents
A) trial balloons, the left-wing
B) dog whistles, the left-wing
C) dog whistles, the right-wing
D) trial balloons, the right-wing

Accepted Answer

The term "dog whistles" refers to coded language that appears normal to the general population but has specific, often controversial, meanings to a targeted subgroup. The phrase "individual responsibility" is frequently used by right-wing groups as a dog whistle to appeal to their base's values of personal accountability and minimal government intervention without alienating moderate voters or drawing overt criticism from the left.

Question 3

What were early newspapers that relied almost exclusively on government advertising?
A) red press
B) tabloid press
C) party press
D) penny press

Accepted Answer

Early newspapers that relied almost exclusively on government advertising were known as the "party press." These publications often served as mouthpieces for specific political parties, relying on government advertising for funding and disseminating political ideologies and propaganda.

Question 4

________ was particularly important in the rise of early-twentieth century populist and progressive parties on the Canadian prairies, like Social Credit and the CCF.
A) local radio
B) national newspapers
C) national television
D) social media

Accepted Answer

Local radio was crucial in the rise of early-twentieth century populist and progressive parties on the Canadian prairies, such as Social Credit and the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), by providing a platform for these movements to spread their messages to a wide, rural audience.

Question 5

________ is a Crown corporation that is Canada's national public broadcaster.
A) The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
B) The Cable Public Affairs Channel
C) The National Public Radio
D) The National Post

Accepted Answer

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is Canada's national public broadcaster and a Crown corporation, which means it is owned by the government but operates independently.

Question 6

What does CanCon refer to?
A) laws requiring that media outlets operating in Canada provide a minimum level of Canadian-produced programming
B) a coalition of conservative Canadians committed to disbanding the CBC
C) a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting artists to produce Canadian content for American media
D) the body responsible for administering the Broadcasting Act

Accepted Answer

CanCon refers to Canadian content regulations that mandate a certain percentage of content broadcasted by radio and television stations in Canada must be of Canadian origin. These laws are designed to support and promote Canadian culture and media industries.

Question 7

What is the name given to the group of political journalists who monitor government business and who personally observe proceedings in the legislature?
A) press gallery
B) media scrum
C) the fifth estate
D) the communications bureau

Accepted Answer

The term "press gallery" refers to the group of political journalists who are specifically tasked with monitoring government business and observing proceedings in the legislature. They often have designated areas in parliamentary or legislative buildings from which they can report on events.

Question 8

________ is an informal term for the media, implying that a free press is so vital to democracy that it is on par with the other branches of government (executive, legislature, judiciary).
A) the first pillar
B) the second leg
C) the third stanchion
D) the fourth estate

Accepted Answer

The term "the fourth estate" refers to the press and news media, both in explicit capacity of advocacy and implicit ability to frame political issues. It's considered as an additional check on the power of the government, alongside the traditional three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial).

Question 9

In Canada, freedom of information laws require that:
A) governments provide contact information for all voters to each registered political party.
B) governments release information to citizens upon request, subject to certain restrictions.
C) citizens provide police with personal information upon arrest.
D) political parties provide candidate information to the government for vetting.

Accepted Answer

Freedom of information laws in Canada are designed to make government more open and accountable by requiring the release of government information to the public upon request, albeit with some exceptions for privacy, security, and other concerns.

Question 10

Which of the following documents must be released unredacted and in their entirety under a freedom of information request?
A) internal party documents related to the business of the Official Opposition
B) memorandums to cabinet
C) briefing notes related to intergovernmental negotiations
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Under freedom of information laws, certain types of documents are typically exempt from full, unredacted release to protect sensitive information. This includes internal party documents, memorandums to cabinet, and briefing notes related to intergovernmental negotiations, which often contain privileged or confidential information.

Question 11

When media focuses its attention on who is leading in public opinion polls, it is called:
A) milch-cow coverage
B) horse-race coverage
C) dog-show coverage
D) first-past-the-post coverage

Accepted Answer

Horse-race coverage refers to media coverage that focuses on the competitive aspects of a political campaign, such as who is ahead in the polls, rather than on policy issues or candidate qualifications. This type of coverage treats elections as if they were a race, emphasizing who is winning or losing at any given time.

Question 12

When framing is practiced by skilled political communicators, it simplifies complex matters in a purposeful manner that fits the sender's position. This is known as ________.
A) hacktivism
B) narrowcasting
C) spin
D) brokerage

Accepted Answer

Spin is the term used to describe the practice of framing information in a way that presents the sender's position in the most favorable light, often simplifying complex issues to fit a particular narrative or agenda.

Question 13

When it comes to the roles and responsibilities of federal organizations in government advertising, the ________ develops the centralized plan and provides oversight.
A) the Department of Finance
B) the Treasury Board
C) the Prime Minister's Office
D) the Public Services and Procurement Office

Accepted Answer

The Treasury Board is responsible for developing the centralized plan and providing oversight in government advertising, ensuring that campaigns are aligned with government priorities and managed efficiently.

Question 14

What is a form of campaigning in which parties choose separate communications to target highly-specific segments of individual voters through social media, listservs, specialty television channels, and niche publications?
A) broadcasting
B) narrowcasting
C) tightcasting
D) typecasting

Accepted Answer

Narrowcasting refers to the strategy of targeting very specific segments of the voter population with tailored messages. This approach contrasts with broadcasting, which aims at a wide audience with a more general message. Narrowcasting utilizes platforms like social media, specialized publications, and other targeted media to reach specific groups of individuals with messages designed to appeal directly to their interests or concerns.

Question 15

What is the most common tool used to conduct quantitative public opinion research in Canada?
A) online and in-person focus groups
B) online and telephone surveys
C) door-to-door interviews
D) content analysis of letters to the editor

Accepted Answer

Online and telephone surveys are the most common tools used for conducting quantitative public opinion research in Canada. They allow researchers to collect data from a large number of respondents relatively quickly and cost-effectively, making them ideal for gauging public opinion on various issues.

Question 16

Which of the following campaign tactics involves the use of coded language to send messages to a discrete group of political supporters?
A) dog whistling
B) horse whispering
C) cat calling
D) pork barreling

Accepted Answer

Dog whistling is a tactic that involves the use of coded or suggestive language in political messaging, intended to appeal to a particular group without being explicitly clear to the general public. This allows the speaker to communicate specific ideas to their target audience while potentially remaining ambiguous or deniable to others.

Question 17

Compared to standard opinion surveys, focus group research is more useful for:
A) gaining a deep, qualitative understanding of political values in a particular population group
B) testing public reaction to party advertisements prior to release
C) experimenting with different slogans, logos, and other elements of a party's brand
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Focus group research allows for in-depth discussions, making it ideal for understanding complex opinions, testing reactions to advertisements, and experimenting with branding elements in a way that standard surveys, which are more quantitative, cannot.

Question 18

If an environmentalist party knows that an opposing party's followers are deeply divided over whether to establish a carbon tax, the environmentalist party would be best-advised to engage in:
A) brokerage politics
B) wedge politics
C) attack advertisements
D) rebranding

Accepted Answer

Wedge politics is a strategy aimed at dividing or creating a "wedge" within the opposition. In this case, exploiting the division over the carbon tax within the opposing party's followers could weaken their unified stance, making it an effective approach for the environmentalist party.

Question 19

One of the most famous cases of media framing in Canada involved:
A) the Globe and Mail running an unflattering front page photo of Jean Chretien's facial paralysis in 1993.
B) the Globe and Mail running an iconic front page photo of Robert Stanfield dropping a football in 1974.
C) the Huffington Post running a shocking front page photo of a drunk John A. Macdonald before a campaign speech in Northern Ontario.
D) Rabble.ca running a flattering image of Pierre Trudeau giving royal assent to the Constitution Act 1982.

Accepted Answer

The Globe and Mail's publication of a photo showing Robert Stanfield fumbling a football during the 1974 federal election campaign is a classic example of media framing in Canada. This image is often cited as having negatively impacted Stanfield's public image and electoral prospects.

Question 20

Left-wing political parties taking the ________ approach to political communication compete to set the political agenda by highlighting _______.
A) articulation, the need to lower taxes on the wealthy
B) confrontation, the need to decrease health care spending
C) articulation, the need to bolster the welfare state
D) confrontation, the need to pay down the debt

Accepted Answer

Left-wing political parties typically focus on bolstering the welfare state, which includes policies aimed at improving social safety nets, healthcare, education, and income redistribution. This approach aligns with their ideological commitment to social equity and support for vulnerable populations.

Quiz 11: Media and Communication

The act as a broker between and .

"Individual responsibility" is _ often employed by _ in Canada to mobilize their supporters without drawing too much resistance from their opponents

What were early newspapers that relied almost exclusively on government advertising?

________ was particularly important in the rise of early-twentieth century populist and progressive parties on the Canadian prairies, like Social Credit and the CCF.

________ is a Crown corporation that is Canada's national public broadcaster.

What does CanCon refer to?

What is the name given to the group of political journalists who monitor government business and who personally observe proceedings in the legislature?

________ is an informal term for the media, implying that a free press is so vital to democracy that it is on par with the other branches of government (executive, legislature, judiciary) .

In Canada, freedom of information laws require that:

Which of the following documents must be released unredacted and in their entirety under a freedom of information request?

When media focuses its attention on who is leading in public opinion polls, it is called:

When framing is practiced by skilled political communicators, it simplifies complex matters in a purposeful manner that fits the sender's position. This is known as ________.

When it comes to the roles and responsibilities of federal organizations in government advertising, the ________ develops the centralized plan and provides oversight.

What is a form of campaigning in which parties choose separate communications to target highly-specific segments of individual voters through social media, listservs, specialty television channels, and niche publications?

What is the most common tool used to conduct quantitative public opinion research in Canada?

Which of the following campaign tactics involves the use of coded language to send messages to a discrete group of political supporters?

Compared to standard opinion surveys, focus group research is more useful for:

If an environmentalist party knows that an opposing party's followers are deeply divided over whether to establish a carbon tax, the environmentalist party would be best-advised to engage in:

One of the most famous cases of media framing in Canada involved:

Left-wing political parties taking the __ approach to political communication compete to set the political agenda by highlighting _.