SS.CG.2.8 & SS.CG.2.9 Role and Impact of the Media

What is the role of the media as a gatekeeper?

• To provide entertainment to the public

• To decide which stories and issues get public attention

• To sell products through advertising

• To report unbiased news only

What is the primary role of the media as an agenda-setter?

• To entertain the public with various shows and movies

• To decide what issues society discusses in the public sphere

• To report only positive news to the public

• To control the operations of the government

Why is the media's role as an agenda-setter considered controversial?

• Because it is believed that the media should not report any news

• Because some people worry that corporations influence the public agenda for profit

• Because the media only reports news from the government

• Because the media provides too much entertainment

What is the role of the media as a watchdog?

• To entertain the public with light-hearted stories

• To alert the owner if there is something wrong

• To alert the public if something happens that shouldn't

• To only report on the actions of celebrities

How does the public influence the media?

• By controlling the content that is broadcasted on television

• By responding to the media's reporting which can affect which stories get attention

• By funding the media corporations directly

• By voting for what should be reported in the news

What does "bias" mean?

• Favoring one view over another

• A meeting that is held for the people to share their opinions with government officials

• A person holding public office by virtue of election to that office or through constitutional succession

• The collection of attitudes of a group of people in a population

What is a "civic meeting"?

• The act of choosing someone or something in an election

• A person or group who acts as a protector or guardian

• A meeting that is held for the people to share their opinions with government officials

• Participating in activities in order to influence government officials

Who are "elected officials"?

• A group of people who are concerned with a particular issue and who try to influence legislators to act in their favor

• A person who participates in activities in order to influence government officials

• A person holding public office by virtue of election to that office or through constitutional succession

• The plural form of the word “medium,” refers to various means of communication

What is "freedom of the press"?

• The stand the government takes about a problem or an idea

• The right to ask the government to solve a problem or to express an opinion about how the government is being run

• The right that the media has to present information to the people without government control

• The collection of attitudes of a group of people in a population

What does "impact" mean?

• To have a strong effect on something or someone

• An independent political organization that promotes the cause of a particular interest group

• Nonviolent resistance or action for the purpose of achieving social or political change

• The act of choosing someone or something in an election