Question 1

The Federal Trade Commission regulates the Media?

Accepted Answer

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a government agency that primarily focuses on consumer protection and preventing unfair business practices. While the FTC does have some influence over media in terms of regulating advertising and marketing, it does not have the authority to directly regulate or govern the media as a whole. That responsibility falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Question 2

Which is NOT a characteristic of democracy?
A) an individual or small group holding power
B) freedom of expression
C) self governance
D) an independent judiciary
E) all of the above are characteristics of democracy

Accepted Answer

Democracy involves power being held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives. An individual or small group holding power contradicts this principle.

Question 3

The watchdog role is most closely linked with what need fulfilled by the press?
A) deliberation
B) conflict resolution
C) accountability
D) information suppression
E) representation

Accepted Answer

The watchdog role is primarily concerned with holding those in power accountable for their actions, which fulfills the need for accountability in the press.

Question 4

The idea that in a democratic system, all people are visible to others and have the chance to be heard is most clearly linked to the concept of
A) deliberation
B) conflict resolution
C) accountability
D) information dissemination
E) representation

Accepted Answer

The concept of representation is closely linked to the idea that in a democratic system, all people have the chance to be heard and to be visible to others. This means that citizens are represented by elected officials who are accountable to them, and who are responsible for sharing information and addressing their concerns through the political process. Representation is a key component of democratic governance, and it ensures that all voices are heard and that decisions are made with the interests of all citizens in mind.

Question 5

The 1947 Commission on Freedom of the Press is commonly called
A) The Locke Commission
B) The Hutchins Commission
C) The Accountability Commission
D) The Truman Commission
E) The Freedoms Commission

Accepted Answer

The 1947 Commission on Freedom of the Press is commonly known as the Hutchins Commission, named after its chairman, Robert M. Hutchins.

Question 6

Which is NOT one of the five core functions the press performs in a democracy?
A) informs, analyzes, interprets and explains
B) investigates
C) creates a public conversation
D) generates governmental revenues
E) encourages accountability

Accepted Answer

Generating governmental revenues is not one of the five core functions the press performs in a democracy. The five core functions are informing, analyzing, interpreting and explaining, investigating, creating a public conversation, and encouraging accountability.

Question 7

Horizontal accountability involves which of the following serving as a check on government?
A) the press
B) the public
C) corporations
D) other government entities
E) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Horizontal accountability refers to the capacity of institutions within the government to check the powers, actions, or decisions of other institutions or branches of government. This is distinct from vertical accountability, where entities outside the government (like the press, public, or corporations) hold the government accountable.

Question 8

Match these 5 news elements with their best description.
-Prominence
A) an urgent or noteworthy WHEN
B) An unusual WHAT
C) A big WHAT
D) A nearby or well-known WHERE
E) Well known WHO

Accepted Answer

Prominence refers to a well-known person or entity that is involved in the news story.

Example: "Famous actor Tom Cruise involved in a car accident."

Question 9

Match these 5 news elements with their best description.
-Importance
A) an urgent or noteworthy WHEN
B) An unusual WHAT
C) A big WHAT
D) A nearby or well-known WHERE
E) Well known WHO

Accepted Answer

Importance refers to a big or significant event.

Answer: B 
 An unusual event would capture interest and be considered important.

Answer: A 
 An urgent or noteworthy when would be considered important news.

Answer: D 
 A nearby or well-known where would be important to people in that area or familiar with it.

Answer: E 
 A well-known who may be important if they are involved in a significant event or situation.

Question 10

Match these 5 news elements with their best description.
-Human Interest
A) an urgent or noteworthy WHEN
B) An unusual WHAT
C) A big WHAT
D) A nearby or well-known WHERE
E) Well known WHO

Accepted Answer

Human interest stories often focus on the unusual aspects (WHAT) of a situation or event, capturing the audience's attention through unique or extraordinary elements.

Question 11

Match these 5 news elements with their best description.
-Timeliness
A) an urgent or noteworthy WHEN
B) An unusual WHAT
C) A big WHAT
D) A nearby or well-known WHERE
E) Well known WHO

Accepted Answer

Timeliness refers to the urgency or relevance of the WHEN in a news story.

Answer: B
 An unusual WHAT refers to something out of the ordinary that would make a good news story.

Answer: C
 A big WHAT refers to a significant event or development that would be of interest to a wide audience.

Answer: D
 A nearby or well-known WHERE refers to the location of the news event, either in a local area or a place that is well-known.

Answer: E
 A well-known WHO refers to a person or group of individuals who are recognized by the audience and would be of interest in a news story.

Question 12

Match these 5 news elements with their best description.
-Proximity
A) an urgent or noteworthy WHEN
B) An unusual WHAT
C) A big WHAT
D) A nearby or well-known WHERE
E) Well known WHO

Accepted Answer

Proximity refers to a nearby or well-known where, such as a location that is geographically close to the audience or a place that is familiar to them.

Question 13

Name two of the five elements that makes an event, idea or tip newsworthy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name two of the five elements that...

Question 14

Name 3 of the 6 elements that makes an event, idea or tip a news story Newsworthy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name 3 of the 6 elements that...

Question 15

The colonists' reasons for revolt largely centered on the tyranny of British rulers in what areas?
A) political and religious
B) religious and economic
C) political and economic
D) religious and personal privacy
E) personal privacy and economic

Accepted Answer

The colonists' reasons for revolt were primarily political and economic, including issues such as taxation without representation, lack of control over their own governments, and restrictions on trade. While religion played a role in the origins of some colonies (such as Massachusetts), it was not a primary factor in the Revolution itself. Personal privacy was not a major concern at the time, nor was there any significant religious conflict fueling the rebellion.

Question 16

Walter Lippman argued that democracy is more about conversation than it is about information.

Accepted Answer

Walter Lippmann argued that democracy is more about managing public opinion and the role of experts in shaping it, rather than focusing on conversation over information.

Question 17

A strong press plays the role of both a detached, independent observer and an impassioned adversarial watchdog.

Accepted Answer

A strong press is expected to be objective and fair in its reporting, but also hold those in power accountable through critical and adversarial coverage. These two roles may seem contradictory, but they are both crucial for a healthy democracy.

Question 18

Gossip is information, not news.

Accepted Answer

Gossip is typically informal and unverified information about someone's personal life or private affairs. It is often spread through social interactions and may not necessarily be relevant or important to the public. News, on the other hand, is factual and verified information that is deemed newsworthy and relevant to a broader audience.

Question 19

There are three types of accountability.

Accepted Answer

There are generally considered to be at least four types of accountability: political, administrative, financial, and legal.

Question 20

The framers of the U.S. Constitution were steeped in Utilitarian philosophy.

Accepted Answer

The framers of the U.S. Constitution were influenced by a variety of philosophical traditions, including liberalism, republicanism, and natural law theory. While some elements of utilitarianism may have influenced their thinking, it was not the sole or dominant philosophy guiding their work.

Quiz 1: The Mirror, the Watchdog and the Marketplace

The Federal Trade Commission regulates the Media?

Which is NOT a characteristic of democracy?

The watchdog role is most closely linked with what need fulfilled by the press?

The idea that in a democratic system, all people are visible to others and have the chance to be heard is most clearly linked to the concept of

The 1947 Commission on Freedom of the Press is commonly called

Which is NOT one of the five core functions the press performs in a democracy?

Horizontal accountability involves which of the following serving as a check on government?

Match these 5 news elements with their best description. -Prominence

Match these 5 news elements with their best description. -Importance

Match these 5 news elements with their best description. -Human Interest

Match these 5 news elements with their best description. -Timeliness

Match these 5 news elements with their best description. -Proximity