Question 1

None of the three traditional news networks is independently owned.

Accepted Answer

The answer of None of the three traditional news networks...

Question 2

Which of the following has a significant impact on a news agency's likelihood of being able to ask a question at a White House press briefing?

Accepted Answer

Seat assignments in the briefing room can significantly impact a news agency's likelihood of being able to ask a question at a White House press briefing. These assignments often reflect the media outlet's prominence and the administration's view of it, influencing who gets called upon.

Question 3

Which is a primary reason that news cameras are not allowed in the Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

The primary reason that news cameras are not allowed in the Supreme Court is to avoid politicization of Court activity. Allowing cameras could turn Court decisions into spectacles and potentially undermine the public's confidence in the Court's impartiality. It also ensures that the justices' focus remains on the law, not on how they will appear on television. While other reasons may also motivate the Court's decision to prohibit cameras, such as preserving decorum or maintaining the unique nature of the Court, D is the most compelling reason.

Question 4

The __________ is an example of the way in which the Federal Communications Commission works to ensure that the airwaves "serve the public interest,convenience,and necessity."

Accepted Answer

The equal time rule is a regulation of the FCC that requires broadcast stations to provide equal airtime to all candidates running for public office. This is an example of how the FCC works to ensure that the airwaves are used in a way that serves the public interest and promotes fairness in political campaigns. The other options (justice doctrine, press release, press conference) are not directly related to the FCC's regulatory role in broadcasting.

Question 5

The media have an increased influence on those who lack strong political beliefs.

Accepted Answer

Those who lack strong political beliefs may look to the media for guidance and information, making them more susceptible to the media's influence.

Question 6

Democrats are more likely than Republicans to listen to National Public Radio.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that Democrats are more likely to listen to NPR than Republicans. According to a Pew Research Center survey in 2014, 65% of Democrats reported listening to NPR, compared to only 29% of Republicans.

Question 7

Muckraking journalism led to better working conditions in factories.

Accepted Answer

Muckraking journalism, which exposed the exploitation of workers and unsafe working conditions in factories, led to public outrage and pressure on lawmakers to pass labor reform laws, ultimately resulting in better working conditions for factory workers.

Question 8

Media coverage of the 2010 Arizona immigration law ignited citizens' passion about the issue and illustrates the concept of agenda setting.

Accepted Answer

Agenda setting is the idea that media coverage can influence which issues are seen as important by the public. Media coverage of the 2010 Arizona immigration law brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse, demonstrating the power of agenda setting.

Question 9

The chairs of important congressional committees receive more news coverage than do typical members of Congress.

Accepted Answer

The chairs of important congressional committees have more influence and are involved in more high-profile issues, which leads to them receiving more news coverage than typical members of Congress.

Question 10

Internet service providers may not block users' access to legal content.

Accepted Answer

This is a requirement under net neutrality regulations, which are designed to ensure that all internet traffic is treated equally and fairly. ISPs are not allowed to discriminate against specific types of content or websites, or to favor certain users or services over others. This helps to maintain an open and competitive online marketplace, and to protect consumers' rights to access the information and services that they choose.

Question 11

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 increased regulations on large segments of the electronic media.

Accepted Answer

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 actually decreased regulations on large segments of the electronic media, promoting competition and allowing for consolidation of media ownership.

Question 12

The U.S.Supreme Court receives less media coverage than does Congress or the president.

Accepted Answer

While the Supreme Court is one of the three branches of government in the United States, it typically receives less media coverage than Congress or the president. This is because the Supreme Court operates with more privacy and is not involved in the day-to-day political activities that often make headlines.

Question 13

Americans' opinion of the news media has become increasingly unfavorable in recent years.

Accepted Answer

According to surveys by Pew Research Center, Gallup and other organizations, Americans' trust and confidence in the news media has declined significantly over the last few decades.

Question 14

For those who are highly attentive to politics,political infotainment such as The Daily Show acts as an information shortcut that helps these politically sophisticated viewers to better remember facts and figures about the governmental process.

Accepted Answer

The statement suggests that politically sophisticated viewers find political infotainment like The Daily Show helpful in remembering facts and figures about politics.

Question 15

While the press secretary was quite powerful when the position was first created during the Hoover administration,it is now only a ceremonial post.

Accepted Answer

The position of press secretary remains a powerful and important role in the executive branch, responsible for shaping public perception and disseminating information to the media and public.

Question 16

Media coverage has a stronger effect on independents than on partisans.

Accepted Answer

Independent voters are not affiliated with any political party and are more likely to be influenced by media coverage because they do not have pre-existing partisan biases or loyalties. Partisans, on the other hand, are already committed to a political party and may be less swayed by media coverage that does not align with their party's beliefs.

Question 17

The Supreme Court has found that the president has "inherent power" to halt the publication of news.

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court has never found that the president has inherent power to halt the publication of news. In fact, the First Amendment protects the freedom of the press and prohibits the government from censoring or punishing the media for their reporting.

Question 18

The Department of Homeland Security developed a precursor to the Internet known as ARPANET.

Accepted Answer

The Department of Defense, not the Department of Homeland Security, developed ARPANET as a precursor to the Internet.

Question 19

When a news outlet like the Wall Street Journal identifies a source in a news story as the secretary of commerce,that information is said to be __________.

Accepted Answer

When a source is identified by name and position in a news story, that information is considered to be "on the record." This means that the source is willing to have their name attached to the information they are providing and is willing to be quoted directly.

Question 20

President Franklin D.Roosevelt was effective at using the radio to connect with the American public.

Accepted Answer

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was known for his "fireside chats" which were radio speeches where he addressed important issues and concerns directly to the American people. These chats helped him connect with the public and foster a sense of trust and unity during the difficult times of the Great Depression and World War II.

Quiz 14: The News Media