Media and the Political Process

Which of the following methods for influencing your representative in Congress would be inappropriate?

• calling his or her office

• protesting outside his or her home

• sending a petition to him or her

• emailing him or her

Which political party supports the least amount of governmental intervention in almost all areas of the public life?

• Green Party

• Democratic

• Socialist Party

• Libertarian

The statement below refers to a debate over social programs that help the poor and other vulnerable populations.

It is the government's responsibility to provide a safety net for its citizens.

In general, members of which political party embrace this viewpoint?

• Constitution

• Democratic

• Republican

• Libertarian

What is one strategy an interest group is likely to use to influence the outcome of an election?

• pay opposing candidates to drop out of the race

• conduct a series of public opinion polls

• run television and newspaper advertisements

• hire a team of high-powered lobbyists

In a presidential election, which of the following sources would most likely give accurate information about candidates' views?

• a website sponsored by private interest groups

• a record of the candidates' voting history on issues

• a television commercial provided by political parties

• a newspaper editorial about both candidates

Directions: The three headlines below were written about the same news event. Use the headlines to answer any questions that follow.

• "The President Tours Disaster-Stricken Area"

• "President Just Looking for Votes in Storm-Torn Area"

• "President Reaches Out to Support Storm Victims"

Why is the same event sometimes reported differently by various news agencies?

• Some news agencies embrace certain political beliefs, which are reflected in their reporting.

• Journalists sometimes do not get enough information to accurately report on an event.

• Some news agencies have a strong interest in misleading their audiences.

• Political parties pay some news agencies to make them look good, which leads to inaccurate reporting.

Why do political parties issue platforms?

• to tell Americans what they should believe

• to outline and clarify their views on important issues

• to assist their candidates who do not understand the issues

• to make it easier for opposition parties to adopt their beliefs

In general, what are lobbyists trying to do?

• assist Congress in writing legislation in the interest of all Americans

• ensure that the federal budget is always balanced

• help the president in selecting justices and cabinet members

• influence decisions made by officials in the government

In which way do Political Action Committees (PACs) typically influence government?

• by serving as advisors to the president

• by providing staffers for members of Congress

• by financially supporting causes and campaigns

• by sending briefs to the Supreme Court

What do Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) all have in common?

• They are government agencies that raise awareness of their causes in Congress.

• They are nonprofit groups that primarily hold fundraisers to support their causes.

• They are political third parties that work to elect candidates who support their causes.

• They are interest groups that seek to draw awareness to and lobby for their causes.