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CHAPTER 10

The Media

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Type: FactualAns: DPage: 251

1. The text describes as a love-hate relationship the interactions between

a. the media and the public.b. reporters and editors.c. politicians and editors.d. politicians and the media.e. reporters and producers.

Type: ConceptualAns: EPage: 251

2. The relationship between public officials and the media can best be described as one of

a. antagonism.b. dependency.c. rivalry.d. benevolence.e. love-hate.

Type: FactualAns: APage: 251

3. In recent years the relationship between the media and government officials has become

a. more adversarial.b. more mutually supportive.c. less interdependent.d. more controlled.e. more consistent.

Type: FactualAns: CPage: 252

4. A study of ninety-four countries revealed that in only ________ did the media enjoy a high degree of political freedom.

a. oneb. eightc. sixteend. twenty-fivee. fifty


5. In general, the United States places ________ restrictions on its media than either France or Great Britain.

a. many moreb. slightly morec. about the same number ofd. fewer

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

306 Chapter 10: The Media

e. more significant


6. The chances of public officials in Great Britain successfully suing journalists who libel them in public are

a. about the same as in the United States.b. considerably less than in the United States.c. considerably greater than in the United States.d. nonexistent.e. not generally known.

Type: FactualAns: BPage: 252

7. Which of the following statements about the Freedom of Information Act is true?

a. It helps protect U.S. security.b. It virtually guarantees that some secrets will get out.c. It places tighter restrictions on media in the United States than

in other countries.d. It was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1987.e. It violates several other congressional statutes and codes.


8. Which of the following virtually guarantees that nonstrategic information will become public record?

a. the Official Secrets Actb. the U.S. Government Printing Officec. the Freedom of Information Actd. the Supreme Court case of United States v. Nixone. A and B.


9. One factor that explains the greater freedom enjoyed by U.S. radio and television stations, compared to those in France, is that

a. French radio and television stations must earn a profit.b. France has an Official Secrets Act that allows it to punish those

who divulge sensitive information.c. the Supreme Court has declared all laws regulating the media

as unconstitutional.d. the U.S. federal government does not impose rules on

broadcasters.e. U.S. radio and television stations are privately owned.

Type: ConceptualAns: APage: 252

10. Compared with the early years of the republic, the power and autonomy of newspaper editors and reporters in the United States today is

a. greater.b. about the same.c. less.d. supreme.e. insignificant.


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Type: FactualAns: EPage: 252

11. The phenomenon of newspapers being financed by political parties and politicians developed

a. only in recent years.b. throughout most of the twentieth century.c. after the Civil War.d. during the Great Depression.e. in the early days of the republic.


12. In the early years of the republic, newspapers were financially supported by

a. advertising.b. payments from the Associated Press.c. subsidies from political parties and politicians.d. mass circulation.e. religious clubs and organizations.


13. Which of the following statements about newspapers during the early years of the republic is true?

a. They were cheaper than today.b. They were highly partisan.c. They were supported by paid advertising.d. They were avidly read by both the elite and the masses.e. They were generally objective.



a. They were bipartisan.b. They were more expensive than today.c. They were supported by paid advertising.d. They were avidly read by both the elite and the masses.e. They were fair and balanced in reporting.



a. They were less expensive than today.b. They were nonpartisan.c. They were supported by paid advertising.d. They were read mostly by a small elite.e. They were fair and balanced in reporting.


16. In the era of the party press, readers consisted of

a. citizens from all walks of life.b. farmers.c. government employees and officials.d. immigrants.e. a small number of well-educated people.




17. An important factor in the development of less partisan newspapers in the nineteenth century was the growth of

a. paid advertising, which reduced the need for party subsidies.b. political patronage, which contributed needed funds to editors.c. a large rural population, which balanced the urban bias of

newspapers.d. government subsidies, which gave editors a strong financial

base.e. Supreme Court rulings which involved charges of libel.

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18. Changes in U.S. politics have occurred at the same time as changes in the organization and technology of the media. This seems to suggest that

a. the nature of journalism dictates the nature of politics.b. politics will respond to changes in how communication is

carried on.c. the technology of journalism responds to changes in politics.d. journalism is more important than politics in determining how

the government will operate.e. the nature of politics dictates the nature of journalism.


19. An innovative news establishment set up in 1948 to provide systematic dissemination of news to publications of different political persuasions was the

a. ticker tape.b. Pony Express.c. Associated Press.d. Washington Globe.e. Rider’s Club.

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20. News coverage by the Associated Press had to be nonpartisan because

a. its funding came from the federal government.b. its reporters' standards were highly professional.c. government regulations required it.d. it served papers of various political hues.e. its managers held the parties in contempt.


21. William Randolph Hearst used his newspapers to push the United States into a war against

a. Great Britain.b. Germany.c. Spain.d. Nicaragua.e. Vietnam.

Type: FactualAns: A

22. A war between the United States and Spain was fomented by the



Page: 254publisher

a. William Randolph Hearst.b. Rupert Murdoch.c. Eugene Pulliam.d. Theodore Loeb.e. Christopher Donnell.


23. The need for sensationalist journalism died out due to the middle-class demand for reform, the termination of circulation wars, and the

a. expansion of the nation.b. end of Prohibition.c. end of gang warfare.d. rise in libel suits.e. growing education of the readers.


24. For all their excesses, the sensationalist mass newspapers of the late nineteenth century effected several important changes in the press, including

a. freeing the press from government control.b. encouraging cultural diversity in U.S. society.c. limiting the role of technology in journalism.d. giving greater power to a social elite.e. giving greater power to a political elite.


25. For all their excesses, the sensationalist mass newspapers of the late nineteenth century effected several important changes in the press, including

a. demonstrating how profitable criticism of government could be.

b. encouraging cultural and political diversity in U.S. society.c. limiting the role of technology in journalism.d. giving greater power to a social elite.e. giving greater power to a political elite.


26. The term yellow journalism was coined to describe media sensationalism in what era?

a. the early days of the republicb. the time of the Civil Warc. the turn of the centuryd. post-World War IIe. the Great Depression


27. The era of mass newspapers in the second half of the last century signaled the beginning of

a. unfiltered news coverage.b. the scorekeeping function of the media.c. national interest-group reorganization.



d. the watchdog function of the media.e. mass politics and a large electorate.


28. Among the magazines that first presented public-policy issues in the mid-1800s were all of the following except

a. Nation.b. Atlantic Monthly.c. Saturday Evening Post.d. Harper's.e. McClure’s.


29. Nation, Atlantic Monthly, and Harper's were

a. mass-circulation magazines founded in the early 1900s.b. magazines specializing in yellow journalism in the mid-1800s.c. newspapers sponsored by the political parties of the early

1800s.d. the first magazines to present public policy in the mid-1800s.e. newspapers specializing in party news and election reports

founded in the early 1900s.


30. The term muckraker was first used in a political sense by

a. Theodore Roosevelt.b. Calvin Coolidge.c. Herbert Hoover.d. Franklin Roosevelt.e. James Garfield.


31. The medium that first allowed public officials to reach the public in a relatively unfiltered manner was

a. the national magazine.b. the national newspaper.c. radio.d. the New York Times.e. the wire service.


32. At the turn of the century, the growing media sensationalism influencing public opinion was known as

a. purple prose.b. yellow journalism.c. muckraking.d. pack journalism.e. shock lit.


33. One disadvantage to politicians of radio or television coverage, compared to newspaper coverage, is that it

a. allows citizens to turn off the message.



b. is both more expensive and less accessible to politicians.c. permits a greater degree of editorial filtering.d. is controlled by a handful of owners.e. discourages colorful rhetoric.


34. Electronic journalism probably contributed to the decline in party loyalties because

a. the public lost confidence in politicians after seeing them on television.

b. the rate of literacy dropped, forcing people to watch television rather than read party literature.

c. television and radio focused attention on the issues, making party labels of candidates irrelevant.

d. politicians developed personal followings independent of party structure.

e. the public lost confidence in television as a source of political news.


35. One advantage of newspapers over the electronic media as a means for politicians to reach voters is that it

a. minimizes editorial filtering.b. conveys a more direct message.c. restricts the arguments of would-be critics.d. conveys a more powerful message.e. is less expensive.


36. To get television coverage, public officials typically have to

a. be well connected.b. take a conservative line.c. take a liberal line.d. do something colorful.e. appear organized.


37. A member of Congress who wishes to maximize his or her news media attention is well advised to

a. propose increasing taxes.b. propose lowering taxes.c. praise the president.d. attack the president.e. author new legislation.

Type: ConceptualAns: CPage: 257

38. A politician seeking television coverage may be well advised to attack the president because

a. media elites enjoy sniping at the president.b. most citizens harbor deep resentment of any president.c. only the president routinely gets television coverage.d. positive news is no news in Washington, D.C.e. most citizens admire and respect the president.




39. The new era of electronic journalism is best characterized by

a. an emphasis on talk shows and a diminishing importance of cable television.

b. a diminishing importance of the three big networks and a rise in popularity of cable entertainment-type programs.

c. greater interest in probing confrontations on policy issues by major network journalists and less interest in human interest stories.

d. a diminishing interest in policy issues and a rise in overall popularity of major network programs.

e. emergence of news magazine programs on the major networks.


40. Which of the following statements accurately describes the transformation of American journalism?

a. When mass circulation newspapers arose, there also developed interest groups.

b. When magazines of opinion developed, there also arose mass politics.

c. When radio became dominant, politicians were unable to build their own bridges to voters.

d. When television became dominant, politicians were unable to build their own bridges to voters.

e. With the Internet, voters and political activists can talk to each other.


41. The mass media are not a true mirror of reality because

a. reporters are more conservative than the general public.b. the news emphasizes sensational events and ignores positive

social trends.c. a process of selection, editing, and emphasis exists in news

reporting.d. the media tend to emphasize national events and issues over

local ones.e. the media tend to emphasize local events and issues over

national ones.


42. Of the different sectors of the media in the United States, that of major city newspapers is probably the

a. most trusted.b. least trusted.c. least competitive.d. most competitive.e. most accurate.


43. During the past thirty years, the number of daily newspapers in the United States has

a. declined steadily.b. increased steadily.



c. shown only a slight increase.d. not declined significantly.e. increased dramatically.


44. The least competitive sector of the media in the United States is that of

a. cable television companies.b. radio.c. national magazines.d. major television networks.e. big-city newspapers.


45. The text argues that, although politicians use the media, the media also use politicians for

a. scapegoats.b. advertising.c. funding.d. technical support.e. entertainment and information.


46. To a remarkable degree, media ownership in the United States is

a. international.b. national.c. regional.d. local.e. governmental.


47. The U.S. media, including the electronic media, is primarily oriented to its local market and local audience. The reason(s) for this is (are) the

a. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that compel local affiliates to accept national network broadcasts.

b. FCC regulations that limit multiple media ownership in a given market.

c. wide-scale ownership of the press by large national corporations.

d. shrinking number of total news sources available to the average citizen.

e. dominance of partisans in ownership positions who insist on winning supporters market by market.


48. The U.S. media, including the electronic media, is primarily oriented to its local market and local audience. The reason(s) for this is (are) the

a. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations that allow multiple media ownership in a given market.

b. wide-scale ownership of the press by large national corporations.



c. FCC regulations that prohibit networks from requiring local affiliates to accept network broadcasts.

d. shrinking number of total news sources available to the average citizen.

e. dominance of partisans in ownership positions who insist on winning supporters market by market.


49. The broadcasting industry in the United States can best be described as

a. tightly regulated.b. centralized.c. government owned.d. nationally oriented.e. decentralized.


50. Most of the national news that local papers publish comes from

a. local affiliates.b. their own news staffs.c. television networks.d. wire services.e. investigative reporting.


51. Two local newspapers that have acquired national readerships are

a. the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.b. the New York Times and USA Today.c. the New York Times and the Washington Post.d. the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post.e. USA Today and Christian Science Monitor.


52. What do the New York Times and the Washington Post have in common?

a. They are both under international ownership.b. They are both local papers with national followings.c. They both cater exclusively to a liberal public.d. They both trace their history back more than 100 years.e. They both cater exclusively to a conservative public.


53. The existence of national media, including newsweeklies, is important to politicians because

a. the national media tends to be more representative of the political philosophy of Americans than the local media.

b. the national media tends to be more conservative than the local media.

c. the national media tend to be more liberal than the local media.d. the news they report is more succinct and easy to digest.e. federal officials are more likely to follow the national media.




54. The existence of national media, including newsweeklies, is important to politicians because

a. the national media tend to be more representative of the political philosophy of Americans than the local media.

b. the national media is more likely to provide in-depth analysis of key issues.

c. federal officials are more likely to favor the more conservative position of the national media.

d. the news reported by the national media is more succinct and easy to digest.

e. the national media tend to be more liberal than the local media.


55. Compared with local journalists, reporters and editors for the national media are more

a. conservative.b. liberal.c. restricted in what they can write.d. likely to act as gatekeepers and less likely to act as

scorekeepers.e. critical of the presidency.


56. The national media often play the role of gatekeeper. This means that they can

a. influence public opinion on most issues.b. influence what subjects become national political issues.c. prevent certain politicians from winning office by not covering

their campaigns.d. provide greater depth on stories than the local press.e. channel public opinion in a manner that causes politicians to

respond.


57. Newsweek runs a feature article on education in the United States that calls for sweeping changes in government policy on education. In this role Newsweek is acting as

a. gatekeeper.b. scorekeeper.c. watchdog.d. investigator.e. C and D.


58. The television weekly 60 Minutes runs a segment on the role of local politicians in the drug trade. The issue soon becomes the subject of national debate. In this role 60 Minutes is acting as

a. gatekeeper.b. scorekeeper.c. watchdog.d. investigator.e. B and C.




59. In the past generation, national media attention focus on crime has been

a. steady, whether crime was increasing or not.b. nonexistent, although crime increased steadily.c. intermittent, although crime increased steadily.d. stronger when crime increased than when it did not.e. slight, although crime has decreased steadily.


60. The national media often play the role of scorekeeper. This means that they can

a. influence public opinion on most issues.b. influence what subjects become national political issues.c. investigate election processes more aggressively than public

officials.d. provide greater depth on stories than the local press.e. prevent certain politicians from winning office by not covering

their campaigns.


61. ABC News declares one presidential candidate the winner in a televised debate. In this role, ABC News is acting as

a. gatekeeper.b. scorekeeper.c. watchdog.d. investigator.e. C and D.


62. The media typically report presidential elections as horse races because of the media's role as

a. arbiter.b. watchdog.c. scorekeeper.d. mirror of reality.e. mediator.


63. The text states that the media typically report presidential elections as horse races. This means that they

a. have an instinctive desire to expose scandals.b. play the role of gatekeeper, scorekeeper, and watchdog in a

presidential campaign.c. seek the opportunity to write background or interpretive stories

about issues in the campaign.d. focus more on the contest itself than on the issues of the

campaign.e. have an instinctive desire to investigate personalities.


64. The news media interpret a candidate's second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses as a sign of strength. In this role the media are acting



as

a. gatekeeper.b. scorekeeper.c. watchdog.d. investigator.e. B and C.


65. The national media often play the role of watchdog. This means that they can

a. influence public opinion on most issues.b. influence what subjects become national political issues.c. prevent certain politicians from winning office by not covering

their campaigns.d. expose scandals and investigate personalities.e. track swings in public assessments of candidates.


66. The New York Times publishes an article accusing a Texas senator of using his power to extract contributions from oil industry executives. In this role the Times is acting as

a. gatekeeper.b. scorekeeper.c. watchdog.d. sounding board.e. adjudicator.


67. Compared to newspaper reporters, television news broadcasters have

a. lower incomes but more professional freedom.b. higher incomes but less professional freedom.c. higher incomes and more professional freedom.d. lower incomes and less professional freedom.e. lower incomes, but exceptional professional freedom.


68. Unlike big-city newspapers, radio and television stations must

a. identify their audience and cultivate a lasting relationship.b. rely on paid advertising from multiple sources.c. get their national news from wire services.d. operate profitably while still providing balanced news

coverage.e. have a government license to operate.


69. Compared with the print media, the electronic media are

a. less competitive but more strictly regulated.b. more competitive but less strictly regulated.c. more competitive and more strictly regulated.d. less competitive and less strictly regulated.e. less competitive and completely free of regulation.




70. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents the government from censoring the media?

a. the Firstb. the Fifthc. the Sixthd. the Twenty-firste. None of these.


71. The federal government sued the New York Times to prevent it from publishing

a. accounts of Japanese-Americans detained in U.S. concentration camps during World War II.

b. the Pentagon Papers.c. secret grand jury findings on the Watergate scandal.d. reports of Reagan's arms-for-hostages dealings.e. video tapes of G. Gordon Liddy orchestrating a break-in.


72. When the New York Times sought to publish the Pentagon Papers and the federal government sued to prevent publication, what position did the Supreme Court take?

a. It allowed publication to proceed.b. It prohibited publication.c. It allowed publication but assessed fines.d. It ruled that it had no jurisdiction in the matter.e. It sided with the arguments of the federal government.


73. In a key decision, a jury ruled that Time magazine had published false statements about a certain public figure. This individual could not collect damages, however, because the publication was not malicious. Who was this public figure?

a. George Steinbrennerb. William Westmorelandc. Richard Nixond. Oliver Northe. Ariel Sharon


74. When Israeli general Ariel Sharon sued Time magazine for libel, the jury decided that

a. Time's stories on Sharon were accurate.b. Time had libeled Sharon and must pay damages.c. Time had libeled Sharon but not maliciously.d. Sharon lacked standing to sue in a U.S. court.e. Sharon had shown no true case and controversy.


75. For a newspaper to be found guilty of libel, the accused party must

a. prove beyond reasonable doubt that what was printed was damaging, even if it was printed accidentally.



b. sue the reporter who wrote the story and not the newspaper that published it.

c. sue the newspaper that published the story and not the reporter who wrote it.

d. provide clear and convincing evidence that what was printed was malicious.

e. establish that what was printed could have been interpreted in more than one manner.


76. Which of the following statements about laws intended to protect the privacy of citizens is correct?

a. They do not really inhibit newspapers.b. They exert strong pressure on newspapers to check all stories.c. They apply to public officials only.d. They apply to newspapers but not to other media.e. They apply to newspapers and radio, but not television.


77. In general, what position has the Supreme Court taken on the government's right to compel reporters to divulge information concerning the commission of a crime?

a. It has ruled against it.b. It has upheld it.c. It has avoided ruling on it.d. It has yet to rule on it.e. It has ruled in a contradictory manner.


78. The case of Myron Farber, a reporter for the New York Times, dealt with the question of

a. whether the police can search newsrooms.b. the grounds for libel.c. the definition of obscenity.d. the definition of incitement.e. the confidentiality of a reporter's sources.


79. The right of reporters to conceal the source(s) of their information about a crime has been upheld by

a. the media only.b. the media and the Supreme Court only.c. the media and the police only.d. the media, the Supreme Court, and the police.e. None of these.

Type: ConceptualAns: EPage: 263(box)

80. The text suggests three things to look for when trying to read a newspaper intelligently. They are the

a. degree of objectivity, the choice of coverage, and the source of information.

b. type of coverage, number of sources, and the flexibility of language.



c. source of information, the degree of objectivity, and the use of language.

d. choice of coverage, the degree of objectivity, and the use of language.

e. choice of coverage, the source of information, and the use of language.


81. How frequently do television broadcasting licenses come up for renewal?

a. every yearb. every two yearsc. every three yearsd. every five yearse. every ten years


82. How frequently do radio broadcasting licenses come up for renewal?

a. every yearb. every two yearsc. every five yearsd. every seven yearse. every ten years


83. In recent years, the process of renewing broadcast licenses by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has become

a. more difficult.b. automatic.c. partisan.d. apolitical.e. easier.


84. To have its license renewed, a radio or television station must

a. sign a pledge not to criticize the national government unfairly.b. submit news broadcasts to government censors to remove all

obscene material.c. provide free commercial time to political candidates.d. demonstrate how it plans to serve the community needs.e. identify goals in broadcasting cycles that address national

concerns.


85. Since the 1980s, broadcasting licenses are automatically renewed unless

a. the station has been found guilty of broadcasting obscenity.b. some community group formally objects.c. the station has been found to criticize the government unfairly.d. the station's ownership has changed.e. the station’s ownership has not changed for a considerable

period of time.




86. Until it was abolished in 1987, what obligated broadcasters to present contrasting sides of controversial public issues?

a. the right of reply ruleb. the Communications Act of 1974c. the fairness doctrined. the equal time rulee. the respondent superior doctrine.


87. What is the current status of the fairness doctrine, which deals with broadcasters' responsibility to present both sides of controversial issues?

a. It was abolished by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1987 but is still followed voluntarily by most broadcasters.

b. It is still in effect and is followed by most broadcasters.c. It was abolished by the FCC in 1987 and is no longer followed

by most broadcasters.d. It is still in effect but is not followed by most broadcasters.e. It was never formally instituted and is rarely followed by most

broadcasters.


88. The content of radio and television broadcasts is regulated in ways that newspapers and magazines are not. For example, broadcasters are required by law to

a. sell equal time to all candidates.b. allow individuals the right to reply to an attack that occurred on

a regular news program.c. allow a candidate to petition for a station's endorsement.d. present contrasting sides of controversial public issues.e. produce public debates and forums for the discussion of current

issues.



a. provide free advertising to all candidates.b. allow a candidate to petition for a station's endorsement.c. allow individuals the right to reply to an attack, provided it did

not occur on a regular news program.d. present contrasting sides of controversial public issues.e. produce public debates and forums for the discussion of current

issues.



a. provide free advertising to all candidates.b. allow individuals the right to reply to an attack that occurred on



a regular news program.c. allow a candidate to reply to a station's endorsement of the

opposing candidate.d. present contrasting sides of controversial public issues.e. produce public debates and forums for the discussion of current

issues.


91. For the media to broadcast the Carter-Reagan debate of 1980, which of the following had to be agreed to?

a. Both points of view had to be given equal time.b. Invitations to all other candidates for president had to be

issued, and their refusals obtained.c. All three major networks had to agree on the format of the

debates.d. The debates had to be sponsored by the League of Women

Voters and covered as a news event.e. The debates had to feature questions by members of the news

media.


92. The Carter-Reagan debate in 1980 was sponsored by the League of Women Voters (LWV) because

a. the LWV had an exclusive license for that purpose.b. the LWV threatened to sue the networks.c. both candidates wanted an impartial forum.d. the fairness doctrine did not apply.e. that arrangement allowed circumvention of the equal access

rule.


93. According to the text, why might candidates for local office choose not to advertise on television?

a. To do so might place them in violation of the equal time rule.b. They may decide that other media provide a more direct,

unfiltered way of reaching voters.c. Their districts may be too small geographically for television

advertising to be cost effective.d. Their constituencies might include a sizable proportion of

individuals who do not watch television.e. Distrust of television news might cause a backlash.


94. According to the text, why is a candidate for the Senate more likely to advertise on television than a candidate for the House?

a. because a senator's constituency is more widely spread geographically

b. because a senator's constituency is more narrowly concentrated geographically

c. because a senator's constituency might include a sizable proportion of voters who do not watch television

d. because senators typically choose media that provide a more direct way of reaching voters



e. because a senator’s salary is three times that of a member of the House who can rarely afford such advertising


95. The advertising rates charged to candidates for public office, compared with those for other advertisers, are

a. the same.b. usually higher.c. usually lower.d. always lower because of the equal time rule.e. usually lower, if the candidate is liberal.


96. According to the text, the principal reason why political candidates cannot be sold like a deodorant is that

a. the general idea of a deodorant is more likely to stick.b. political advertising is too tightly regulated.c. a candidate's message is too complicated to sell.d. deodorants smell better.e. people are not stupid.


97. Why should average citizens take more seriously a decision about which candidate to vote for than about what deodorant to buy?

a. because they have more information on which to base a decision

b. because more money is spent on political advertisingc. because the stakes are higherd. because deodorants are not endorsede. because political advertising is more likely to be accurate.


98. In presidential elections throughout this century, most local newspapers have

a. favored the Democrat in all but one instance.b. favored the Democrat slightly more often than the Republican.c. favored the Republican in all but one instance.d. favored Independents, with the exception of Ronald Reagan.e. split about evenly between parties.


99. A process that limits the short-term effect of radio and television on voters is one that psychologists call

a. burnout.b. stimulus-response acceleration.c. anticipatory apathy.d. the iterative factor.e. selective attention.


100. Mass media probably have the least effect on

a. how politics is conducted.



b. how candidates are selected.c. how candidates are perceived.d. how policies are formulated.e. how people vote in elections.


101. The first person to become a candidate for president chiefly as a result of television exposure was

a. Adlai Stevenson.b. Barry Goldwater.c. Gary Hart.d. Estes Kefauver.e. Jesse Jackson.


102. On which of the following issues are the media most likely to have the greatest influence on the national political agenda?

a. an issue such as unemployment that affects people personallyb. an issue such as the environment with which people have little

personal experiencec. an issue such as abortion or school prayer with which the

courts have been involvedd. an issue such as school taxes that affects people at the local

levele. A and C.


103. If the 1976 presidential campaign is any indication, ________ tend to see greater ideological differences between candidates than do ________.

a. radio listeners, television viewersb. television viewers, newspaper readersc. television viewers, radio listenersd. newspaper readers, television viewerse. newspaper readers, radio listeners


104. Regarding the effects of media on politics, research suggests all of the following except

a. issues that citizens believe to be important politically are similar to issues featured by the media.

b. the personal opinions of newscasters have little short-term effect on presidential popularity.

c. newspaper readers see bigger ideological differences between candidates than do television viewers.

d. newspaper endorsements have a small but significant effect on voter preference.

e. people are more likely to take their cues from the media on matters that affect them personally.


105. Regarding their relationship with the media, U.S. public officials generally



a. try to avoid the media to prevent damage to their reputations.b. resist the media at every opportunity.c. rely on the media to take the initiative on media coverage.d. rely on the media only to the extent that the media can help set

a political agenda.e. spend a great deal of time cultivating the media.


106. According to the text, the first president to raise cultivation of the media to an art form was

a. Theodore Roosevelt.b. Woodrow Wilson.c. Herbert Hoover.d. Franklin Roosevelt.e. Woodrow Wilson.


107. Compared with other Western nations, the U.S. media play a much more important role in

a. voicing the official government line.b. personalizing our leaders.c. reflecting the political agenda of an elite.d. dealing with critical issues.e. solving social problems.


108. The reason Congress does not receive as much media coverage as the president is that

a. fewer important decisions are made by Congress than by the president.

b. congressional rules forbid members from speaking to the media until after a bill has been voted on.

c. members of Congress play more specialized roles than the president.

d. Congress no longer allows television coverage of its proceedings.

e. Congress rarely allows television coverage of its proceedings.


109. Until 1978, the attitude of the House toward television and radio coverage of its proceedings could best be described as

a. very open and candid.b. open; at least during election years.c. quite restrictive.d. more restrictive during Democratic administrations.e. less restrictive during Republican administrations.


110. Significant live coverage of House committee hearings began in 1974 with the

a. House Appropriations Committee's hearing on the Vietnam War budget.

b. House Arms Committee's vote to reject President Nixon's



request for additional arms to Cuban freedom fighters.c. House Ethics Committee's vote to strip Richard Alsup of his

House seat.d. House Judiciary Committee's discussion of the possible

impeachment of Richard Nixon.e. House Appropriations Committee’s hearings on the Central

Intelligence Agency’s budget for covert action.


111. In recent years, television coverage of the House has been

a. intermittent with a large audience.b. intermittent with a small audience.c. gavel-to-gavel with a large audience.d. gavel-to-gavel with a small audience.e. rare, with a large audience.


112. Television coverage of the House changed radically with the emergence of

a. wire services.b. USA Today.c. television newsweeklies.d. digital tv.e. cable television.


113. Which of the following statements about the relationship between television and the Senate is most accurate?

a. Television has made the Senate an incubator of presidential candidates.

b. Television has subjected the Senate to numerous exposes.c. Television has tended to insulate the Senate from public

opinion.d. Television has made the Senate internationalist in character.e. Television has had not noticeable impact on the behavior of

Senate members or the chamber’s processes.


114. According to recent polls, Americans claim to get most of their news from

a. magazines of opinion.b. local newspapers.c. national newspapers (e.g., the New York Times).d. national newsweeklies (e.g., Time).e. television.


115. Compared to the way the public views the credibility of the media, the media see themselves as

a. more biased but also more popular.b. more powerful but less reliable.c. fair and unbiased.d. less powerful but more reliable.



e. powerless but popular.


116. Compared to the number of people who watch a television news program every day, the number who read a newspaper every day is

a. much larger.b. somewhat larger.c. somewhat smaller.d. much smaller.e. about the same.


117. Compared to the average citizen, members of the national media are

a. far more conservative.b. somewhat more conservative.c. somewhat more liberal.d. far more liberal.e. more moderate.


118. Which of the following might tend to make a reporter treat a public official favorably?

a. the need to cultivate a sourceb. the example of Woodward and Bernsteinc. an adversarial stanced. access to canned newse. libel laws


119. The type of story that is least likely to be influenced by the political attitudes of the journalist reporting it is the

a. routine story.b. selected story.c. insider story.d. local story.e. predicated story.


120. The Associated Press and Reuters generally supply newspapers with what type of stories?

a. selectedb. routinec. insiderd. investigativee. predicated


121. Coverage of presidential campaigns tends to be relatively unbiased because

a. most campaign stories are routine.b. governmental scrutiny of the media is greater.c. the national media tend to be more liberal than the local media.



d. most campaign stories are controversial.e. campaigns are run too fast for commentary to gain momentum.


122. According to Peter Braestrup, in reporting the 1968 Tet Offensive, the media

a. acquitted themselves well.b. downplayed evidence of communist success.c. portrayed a North Vietnamese military defeat as a success.d. paid little attention to what turned out to be the most important

story of the Vietnam War.e. over-exaggerated the violence associated with the military’s

actions.


123. The aspect of news reporting on which the political ideology of journalists is most likely to come into play is the issue of

a. how to handle routine stories.b. how much space to give a story.c. how long to carry a story.d. which stories to cover.e. how to present a story.


124. The type of news story that is most likely to raise the question of the source's motive is the

a. routine story.b. selected story.c. insider story.d. local story.e. predicated story.


125. The text argues that the U.S. Constitution contributed to the problem of press leaks when it

a. created freedom of the press.b. separated the branches of government.c. established a national government.d. established a Supreme Court.e. established the executive branch and its appointed officers.


126. One reason why so many news leaks occur is that

a. most public officials receive some money from the media.b. government employs so many press officers.c. power in government is so decentralized.d. presidential rewards are so attractive.e. media experts are also public officials.


127. One reason why so many news leaks occur is that

a. most public officials receive some money from the media.



b. government employs so many press officers.c. it is legal to print most government secrets.d. presidential rewards are so attractive.e. media experts are also public officials.


128. Media stories about Whitewater is an example of

a. attack journalism.b. the fairness doctrine.c. narrowcasting.d. media marketing.e. focus-centric reporting.


129. One explanation for the adversarial relationship that has developed between government officials and the media since Watergate is

a. competition within the media for news honors and awards.b. the use of news releases.c. the pressure on the media to retain their sources of information.d. the growing power of local media.e. the use of canned news.


130. One explanation for the adversarial relationship that has developed between government officials and the media since Watergate is

a. the ideological gap that exists between the media and officials.b. the use of news releases.c. the pressure on the media to retain their sources of information.d. the growing power of local media.e. the use of canned news.


131. Surveys suggest most Americans believe

a. the media slants its coverage.b. the media have too much influence.c. the media abuses its constitutional protections.d. All of these.e. None of these


132. Which of the following statements about negative ads is incorrect?

a. Adversarial media coverage makes them more socially acceptable.

b. Candidates use them because they work.c. They may change the preferences of some voters.d. They are associated with reduced voter turnout.e. They are associated with increased voter turnout.


133. The text suggests the extra-marital affairs of Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy were known to reporters, but not reported because

a. there was not nearly so much media competition at the time.b. both men were Democrats.c. libel laws were enforced more strictly at the time.



d. reporters were not nearly so adversarial in their approach toward government.

e. A and D.


134. Which of the following statements about the post-September 11 environment is incorrect?

a. Surveys indicated more people were following the national news more closely.

b. More Americans felt the media got the facts right.c. Most Americans felt media coverage of the war on terrorism

was good or excellent.d. The television networks gained viewers.e. None of these.


135. Among the weapons that the government uses to constrain journalists is the

a. threat of the government's revoking a journalist's license.b. enforcement of the Freedom of Information Reform Act of

1976.c. need for journalists to stay on good terms with their inside

sources of information.d. threat that press officers will bypass the local media and reach

the national media directly.e. the Supreme Court’s ruling in Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire.




1976.c. use of leaks and background stories to win or reward

journalistic friends.d. threat that press officers will bypass the local media and reach

the national media directly.e. the Supreme Court’s ruling in Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire.




1976.c. denying of a journalist's access to canned news.d. president's own system of rewards and punishments to

journalists.e. the Supreme Court’s ruling in Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire.


138. The source of a background story is typically

a. one of the wire services.



b. not identified by name.c. the president's press secretary.d. the president himself.e. the president’s chief of staff.


139. The president who made the mistake of attacking the media publicly rather than privately was

a. Dwight Eisenhower.b. John Kennedy.c. Lyndon Johnson.d. Richard Nixon.e. Gerald Ford.

TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS

Ans: TruePage: 251

140. With the decline of political parties, the importance of the media has increased.

Ans: FalsePage: 251

141. The United States places greater restrictions on its media than does France or Great Britain.

Ans: TruePage: 252

142. The media have to deal with fewer governmental restrictions in the United States than in Great Britain.

Ans: TruePage: 252

143. When printed statements ridicule them, public figures in England frequently sue newspapers and collect.

Ans: FalsePage: 252

144. The U.S. federal government can dictate to or censor the television through its licensing procedures.

Ans: FalsePage: 252

145. The influence of the media on politics has remained about as strong in the twentieth century as in the nineteenth.

Ans: TruePage: 252

146. In the early years of the republic, newspapers were commonly sponsored by the political parties.

Ans: FalsePage: 252

147. In the early years of the republic, newspapers were independent of politicians and political parties.

Ans: TruePage: 252

148. Newspapers in the early republic reached only a small and select portion of the citizenry.



Ans: FalsePage: 252

149. By 1800, press readership included people from all walks of life.

Ans: FalsePage: 252

150. The government funded partisan press was the invention of Thomas Jefferson.

Ans: TruePage: 252

151. The nation’s earliest newspapers were relentlessly partisan.

Ans: FalsePage: 253

152. The effect of the appearance of the Associated Press in 1848 was to further increase the partisan and biased nature of reporting.

Ans: FalsePage: 253

153. Mass-readership newspapers of the 1800s were nonpartisan.

Ans: TruePage: 254

154. The mass-newspaper era, which began during the last half of the nineteenth century, saw the emergence of mass politics and a large electorate.

Ans: FalsePage: 254

155. Newspapers for a mass audience did not emerge until the 1920s.

Ans: TruePage: 255

156. National interest groups developed through the emergence of national magazines.

Ans: TruePage: 254

157. The "man with the muck rake" was originally a character in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.

Ans: TruePage: 255

158. Politics dominated the pages of most national magazines in the late nineteenth century.

Ans: TruePage: 256

159. Increasing usage of sound bites by television networks has made it harder for presidential candidates to get their messages across to the public.

Ans: TruePage: 256

160. The average news sound bite for a presidential contender in 2000 was less than 8 seconds.

Ans: FalsePage: 257

161. A visual is a shrewdly photographed image commercial for a candidate.

Ans: True 162. A visual refers to a candidate's appearance on television, not



Page: 257 including paid ads.

Ans: FalsePage: 257

163. Research shows strong negative consequences from the recent changes in politicians' access to the media.

Ans: FalsePage: 257

164. Research shows strong positive consequences from the recent changes in politicians' access to the media.

Ans: TruePage: 257

165. The newest electronic source of news is the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Ans: TruePage: 257

166. The Internet is the ultimate free market in political news, since no one can ban, control, or regulate it and no one can keep facts or nonsense off of it.

Ans: TruePage: 257

167. Overall, the number of daily newspapers in the nation today is not much different than in the 1950s.

Ans: FalsePage: 257

168. The number of daily newspapers in this country has declined substantially over the past thirty years.

Ans: TruePage: 257

169. There was a significant decline in the number of cities with competing daily newspapers during the 1900s.

Ans: TruePage: 257

170. In major cities, competition between daily newspapers has been declining markedly.

Ans: FalsePage: 257

171. Over the last 30 years, newspaper circulation has increased.

Ans: FalsePage: 257

172. People continue to get most of their news from newspapers.

Ans: FalsePage: 259

173. Federal officials pay about the same attention to national as to local media comments about them.

Ans: TruePage: 257

174. Since the 1960s, young people have become less interested in political news.



Ans: TruePage: 259

175. Government officials in Washington pay relatively little attention to local newspapers and broadcasters.

Ans: FalsePage: 259

176. Journalists who work for the national press tend to be more conservative than those who work for the local press.

Ans: FalsePage: 258

177. The text suggests there are only ten truly national newspapers.

Ans: FalsePage: 258

178. A study has shown that the contents of each evening’s news broadcasts significantly shapes the content of the front page of the morning edition of the New York Times.

Ans: TruePage: 259

179. Automobile safety and water pollution were not major political issues until the national press began giving substantial attention to these matters.

Ans: TruePage: 259

180. Media attention to crime increased in the 1960s but slackened in the 1970s despite the fact that crime generally continued to go up.

Ans: FalsePage: 259

181. The media pay little attention to the Iowa caucus because the state is not representative of the nation as a whole and produces only a tiny fraction of convention delegates.

Ans: TruePage: 260

182. The national media play the role of watchdog over the federal government.

Ans: FalsePage: 260

183. The role of watchdog over government is played more by the local than the national media.

Ans: FalsePage: 260

184. Federal regulation of the media is concentrated on the least competitive sector.

Ans: FalsePage: 260

185. The most competitive sector of the media consists of big-city newspapers.

Ans: TruePage: 260

186. American courts have developed libel law in such a manner that it is very difficult for public officials or prominent persons to sue and collect damages.

Ans: FalsePage: 261

187. If a paper attacks a person in print, it has a legal obligation to provide a space for that person to reply.



Ans: TruePage: 261

188. No one may operate a radio station without a license from the Federal Communications Commission.

Ans: FalsePage: 260

189. No one may operate a newspaper without a license from the Federal Communications Commission.

Ans: TruePage: 261

190. No one may operate a television station without a license from the Federal Communications Commission.

Ans: FalsePage: 261

191. Television stations must renew licenses with the Federal Communications Commission once every seven years.

Ans: FalsePage: 261

192. Applications for renewal of licenses are frequently refused by the Federal Communications Commission.

Ans: TruePage: 261

193. As a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, a few large companies now own most of the big-market radio stations.

Ans: FalsePage: 262

194. The tougher editorial restrictions that accompanied the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has led to less variety of opinions and shows on radio.

Ans: TruePage: 262

195. The fairness doctrine obligated broadcasters to present contrasting sides of controversial issues.

Ans: TruePage: 262

196. A recent federal decision abolished the fairness doctrine.

Ans: FalsePage: 262

197. The equal time provision ensures that only major-party contenders be given equal time by broadcasters.

Ans: TruePage: 262

198. According to the equal time rule, broadcasters who sell advertising time to one candidate must sell equal amounts at equal rates to the candidate's competitor(s).

Ans: TruePage: 263

199. The media probably do have an effect on how citizens think and what they think about, how they attribute responsibility for problems, what policy preferences they hold, and what policy makers do.



Ans: FalsePage: 263

200. Television plays a major role in shaping the opinions of viewers and thus affects their voting behavior.

Ans: TruePage: 264

201. The effects of the media have more to do with how politics is conducted than with how people vote.

Ans: TruePage: 264

202. Local newspapers generally endorse Republican candidates for the presidency.

Ans: FalsePage: 264

203. In most presidential elections, local newspapers will endorse Republicans and Democrats in approximately equal numbers.

Ans: TruePage: 264

204. The issues that citizens feel are important are the same issues that newspapers and television newscasts feature.

Ans: FalsePage: 264

205. Frequently, the mass media fail to concentrate on public issues that most people feel are important.

Ans: TruePage: 265

206. Television does less to determine people's opinions than to determine the issues about which they should have opinions.

Ans: FalsePage: 265

207. Those who get their news from television differ markedly in their political opinions from those who get their news from the print media.

Ans: FalsePage: 266

208. A study of the 1976 presidential election discovered newspaper readers saw less ideological difference between the candidates (Carter and Ford) than did television viewers.

Ans: TruePage: 266

209. Lyndon Johnson attributed the failure of his war policy in Vietnam to the reporting of Walter Cronkite and CBS News programs.

Ans: FalsePage: 266

210. Press secretaries at the White House go back nearly as far as the republic itself.

Ans: TruePage: 266

211. The presidential press secretary is a relatively new White House position, dating from the Hoover administration.

Ans: True 212. The House of Representatives preceded the Senate in allowing its



Page: 266 proceedings to be televised.

Ans: FalsePage: 266

213. The Senate permits more thorough coverage of its proceedings than does the House.

Ans: TruePage: 268

214. One reason newspapers have stopped issuing editorial endorsements in presidential elections is that they are unlikely to make a difference.

Ans: TruePage: 268

215. Journalists are much more liberal than the public at large, and those in the national media are the most liberal of all.

Ans: TruePage: 269

216. The vast majority of media leaders in Washington D.C. voted for Bill Clinton in the 1992 presidential election.

Ans: TruePage: 269

217. The text suggests that it would be astonishing if beliefs and opinions had no effect on what is written or broadcast.

Ans: FalsePage: 269

218. Insider stories concern public events that any reporter can find out about but that few reporters bother to cover.

Ans: TruePage: 269

219. By their nature, insider stories are not available to the media at large.

Ans: FalsePage: 270

220. The insider leak is a comparatively new phenomenon in U.S. politics.

Ans: TruePage: 271

221. Leaks to the press go back as far as government itself.

Ans: TruePage: 271

222. In recent years reporters have tended to become increasingly suspicious of officialdom in general.

Ans: FalsePage: 271

223. More mutual trust has characterized relations between officials and journalists in recent years.

Ans: FalsePage: 271

224. A recent poll suggests most Americans oppose the idea of requiring a license to practice journalism.

Ans: True 225. A recent poll suggests a majority of Americans support court-



Page: 271 imposed fines for inaccurate or biased reporting.

Ans: FalsePage: 271

226. Attacking public figures in the media has become a professional taboo.

Ans: TruePage: 272

227. The public's confidence in big business, and in the business of the media, has eroded.

Ans: TruePage: 273

228. After the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, the public expressed more confidence in the accuracy of media reporting.

Ans: TruePage: 273

229. Research shows that negative advertising not only changes the preferences of voters, but it also reduces voter turnout.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS230. Compare freedom of the press in the United States with that in other nations generally, and particularly with

that in France and Great Britain.

Answer

a. Generally: The United States is one of only sixteen out of ninety-five nations where the media enjoy a high degree of freedom

b. France: All broadcasting operated by the government; heavy fines levied for criticism of officials

c. Great Britain: Libel laws more stringent on press ("malice" need not be proved); Official Secrets Act as opposed to Freedom of Information Act.

Page: 251-252

231. List and briefly explain the four periods of journalistic history in the United States.

Answer

a. Party press: papers subsidized by political parties; addressed small elite; ruthlessly partisan

b. Popular press: rotary press and telegraph gave rise to wire services; mass-based papers became very powerful; sometimes associated with yellow journalism

c. Magazines of opinion: reaction of middle class to yellow journalism led to less extremism, more nonpartisan political coverage

d. Electronic journalism: direct politician-voter link, but selective viewing possible; need for drama to obtain coverage

Page: 252-257

232. Discuss the influence on politics that the national media can have as gatekeepers, as scorekeepers, and as watchdogs. Be sure to define and give an example of each of these terms.

Answer

a. Gatekeeper: what becomes an issue and how long it remains so, for example crime



b. Scorekeeper: making or breaking politician's reputations by mentioning them (e.g., Jimmy Carter, Gary Hart)

c. Watchdog: examining political and personal lives, especially of the powerful (e.g., Gary Hart)

Page: 258-260

233. The content of radio and television is regulated in ways the content of newspapers is not. Explain the following regulations: equal time rule, right of reply rule, and political editorializing rule.

Answer

a. Equal time rule: if a station sells time to one candidate, it must be willing to sell equal time for opposing candidates.

b. Right of reply rule: if a person is attacked on a broadcast other than in a regular news program, that person has the right to reply over the same station.

c. Political editorializing rule: if a broadcaster endorses a candidate, the opposing candidate has a right to reply.

Page: 261-262

234. Compare and contrast routine, selected, and insider stories, noting the possible problems of reporter and source bias in each type of story.

Answer

a. Routine: public events regularly covered by reporters, comparatively little of bias

b. Selected: public events knowable to inquiring reporters but not usually reported, bias of reporter/editor may figure prominently in selection

c. Insider: events not usually public, revealed because someone inside reveals them, problem of the motive of the leaker

Page: 269-270

ESSAY QUESTIONS235. The print and broadcast media play different roles in politics. Compare how these two forms of media

interact with politics in substantially different ways.

Answer

a. Electronic media have contributed to the decline in party loyalties by enabling candidates to develop personal followings outside the party structure.

b. Competition is more intense in the broadcast media, producing more emphasis on the sensational.

c. The government is more involved in the regulation of the broadcast media through licensing and, as a result, has influenced the content of the news by imposing rules such as the equal time regulation.

d. The public more readily trusts television news over the newspapers. Journalists also tend to be more liberal than the general public.

e. Newspaper journalists have more professional freedom than broadcast journalists.

Page: 251-255

Chapter: 10

236. Argue that the influence of politics and the government on the media is greater than the reverse. Does one type of media (broadcast or print) have an advantage in its relationship to the political process? Examine the advantages of each in forming a conclusion.

Answer



a. Reporters must compromise their own views to keep access to a source. Thus government sources can influence the conclusions of many news reports.

b. Politicians grant or withhold interviews and scoops depending on a reporter's prior articles.

c. The government regulates the broadcast media to serve the public interest. This ensures that all sides of an issue are covered; not merely the opinion of the radio or television station owners.

d. The advantages of the broadcast media over the print media are: television is the most trusted form of media; television is the primary source of news for most Americans; television reaches more people.

e. The disadvantages of the broadcast media compared to the print media are: educated people rely more heavily on newspapers, and they are more likely to participate in the political process; the broadcast media are more closely regulated by the government; people use selective attention and mental tuneout to filter the broadcast media.

Page: 263-267

237. By the 1980s sex and politics were extensively covered by the media. This greater propensity to sensationalize the news was in stark contrast to the media's behavior during earlier decades of the 1900s. Discuss what seems to be responsible for the shift.

Answer

a. Not politics. All of the people whom the press covered or reported on were Democrats.

b. Economics was a reason. More intense competition among radio and television stations, cable news networks, and radio talk shows meant that each had a smaller share of the audience. To attract any audience at all, each had a big incentive to rely on sensational news stories: sex, violence, and intrigue.

c. Journalists were another reason. Reporters were willing to break stories that had only one unnamed source, and often not a source at all but a rumor posted on the Internet. As a result, reporters were easily manipulated by sources than once was the case.

Page: 273-276


mc12

Documents

william randolph hearst

wall street journal

federal communications commission

regular news program

world war ii

present contrasting sides

political editorializing rule

official secrets act