Question 1

Media scholar __________ has written several books that show how corporate media have adversely affected the quality of communications content we receive and how media companies have lobbied the government to further their own corporate interests.

Accepted Answer

Robert McChesney is a prominent media scholar who has written extensively about the negative impact of corporate media on the quality of information we receive. He has also documented how media companies use their political power to promote their own interests at the expense of the public good.

Question 2

Media businesses have been among the most profitable of any industry, with profit margins typically around __________ on an annual basis.

Accepted Answer

According to industry research, media businesses have historically had profit margins around 20 percent on average.

Question 3

A particular health condition runs in Gina's family. In an effort to educate herself on this issue, she consults multiple research and news sites on the Internet in addition to soliciting advice on social media, research that leaves her feeling overwhelmed and confused. Gina is dealing with __________.

Accepted Answer

Gina is experiencing information overload, which occurs when someone is presented with too much information and has difficulty processing and retaining it.

Question 4

Media critics have argued that media monopolies and conglomerates contribute to which problem?

Accepted Answer

Media monopolies and conglomerates can consolidate ownership and control over various media outlets, leading to homogenization of content and less diversity in viewpoints. This can limit the range of voices and perspectives available to consumers, and even lead to censorship of alternate views, if they do not align with the dominant conglomerate's interests.

Question 5

Despite living in a relatively large American city, Garrett can purchase only one daily newspaper published in his location, and the cable channels he watches belong to a monopoly. Similarly, his favorite commercial radio stations are part of national ownership groups. This marketplace, in which media ownership and diversity is severely limited, is known as a(n) __________.

Accepted Answer

The situation described in the scenario is characteristic of a media oligopoly, in which a few large corporations control the majority of media outlets in a given market. This can limit consumer choice and diversity of perspectives in the media landscape. Corporate convergence, economic empire, and business oligarchy do not accurately describe this situation.

Question 6

Nine diversified global media giants dominate the media worldwide. These corporations are international ___________.

Accepted Answer

Conglomerates refers to companies that own multiple companies in various industries. The nine diversified global media giants referred to in the statement are examples of conglomerates that own numerous media outlets and platforms across the world.

Question 7

The media oligopoly of the leading nine media giants is not the only threat to the diversity of opinion and information. An additional threat is about fifty ___________ that operate on a national or international level and generate more than $1 billion of business each year.

Accepted Answer

The question mentions that the leading nine media giants are an oligopoly, suggesting that there is a concentration of power within a few big players. The answer choice D of "second-tier media companies" aligns with this idea of there being additional threats to diversity beyond the top dogs in the industry. The other answer choices are not specifically mentioned in the question and do not fit with the context provided.

Question 8

The concentration of media ownership and consolidation of media companies in the United States and globally has serious repercussions for our __________.

Accepted Answer

The concentration of media ownership and consolidation of media companies can have significant implications for the political, societal, and cultural landscape within a country. It can lead to limited diversity of perspectives and less competition in the marketplace of ideas, potentially limiting the ability of marginalized voices to be heard. It can also impact the quality and accuracy of news reporting and information dissemination, which can in turn impact public opinion and decision-making.

Question 9

Daytime talk shows may actually help diversify opinions and make controversial topics more acceptable. Transgender youth and domestic violence are among the formerly taboo items discussed on talk shows, increasing the visibility of such topics in __________.

Accepted Answer

Daytime talk shows are a part of popular culture and their discussions of once-taboo topics have increased the visibility and acceptance of these topics within our popular culture landscape.

Question 10

Terri's friends on social media all share her views on politics and religion. Even when these opinions are in the minority, Terri is convinced her position reflects the opinion of the majority because of __________.

Accepted Answer

Echo effects refer to the way information and opinions are amplified and reinforced through social networks, leading people to believe their views are widely held even if they are not. In this case, Terri's friends sharing her views creates an echo chamber where she overestimates the prevalence of those opinions. Media grammar (B) is not relevant to this scenario, media bias (C) may play a role in shaping opinions but is not directly related to Terri's belief in the popularity of her views, and information overload (D) does not capture the specific social dynamic at play in Terri's situation.

Question 11

Deciding whether a news story is a descriptive article or an evaluative piece that provides editorial opinion is related to which guideline for developing media literacy?

Accepted Answer

The guideline for determining whether a news story is descriptive or evaluative is to determine the purpose of the media content.

Question 12

Advertising's major role in __________ has drawn criticism from advocacy groups around the country, who have turned to social media as a platform to voice dissent.

Accepted Answer

Advertising has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting unrealistic beauty standards, among other things. Advocacy groups have taken to social media to voice their dissent and demand change in the industry.

Question 13

For a term paper, Kelly is analyzing how word choice and selection of interview sources influenced local news in the 2016 election. Kelly is studying __________.

Accepted Answer

Media framing refers to the way that news media present information to their audience, emphasizing certain aspects of a story and downplaying or ignoring others. In this case, Kelly is specifically looking at how word choice and selection of interview sources influenced the way that local news outlets framed their coverage of the 2016 election. While "echo effects" (the tendency of people to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs) and "cultural stereotyping" (the tendency of media to reinforce and perpetuate stereotypes about different groups of people) may also play a role in the way that news is reported and consumed, they are not directly relevant to Kelly's research question. "Media grammar" is not a recognized term in the field of media studies, and does not appear to be relevant to this question.

Question 14

Media enterprises can reduce costs and increase profit by becoming larger and reaching a larger market with their content due to __________, the decrease in unit manufacturing cost that results from mass production.

Accepted Answer

The decrease in unit manufacturing cost that results from mass production is known as economy of scale, which allows for larger enterprises to reduce costs and increase profits through reaching a larger market with their content. Behavioral targeting, branding, and correlation are not directly related to this concept.

Question 15

__________ is the study of signs and symbols.

Accepted Answer

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols, including their use and interpretation. Media literacy refers to the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media messages. Hypertext is a technology that allows for non-linear reading, while media grammar refers to the rules and conventions of media production and design. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 16

Much like signs and symbols, __________ appear natural and go largely unquestioned.

Accepted Answer

Frames appear natural and often go unquestioned because they shape how information is perceived and interpreted, influencing the audience's understanding without them being overtly aware of it.

Question 17

Which country declared that reports of torture of political opponents were fake news?

Accepted Answer

China has been accused of torturing political opponents, and the government has declared that reports of such torture are fake news.

Question 18

Asking yourself how you would feel if the group with whom you identify was portrayed in a particular way allows you to __________.

Accepted Answer

By asking yourself how you would feel if the group with whom you identify was portrayed in a particular way, you can challenge media stereotypes and think critically about the portrayal of marginalized groups in the media. This allows you to promote greater diversity and representation in media.

Question 19

Which of the following countries has been a leader in media-literacy education?

Accepted Answer

Canada has been a leader in media-literacy education, with its MediaSmarts program being recognized as a model for other countries to follow.

Question 20

The physical dimensions of a book, the artwork on its jacket, and the size and style of the typeface are all part of its media _________.

Accepted Answer

Media grammar refers to the elements and rules that make up a particular type of media, such as the physical dimensions, artwork, and typography of a book.

Quiz 2: Media Literacy in the Digital Age