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Media and Public Policy

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 15mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Media, individuals and interest groups all influence public opinion.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

2.

What 4 strategies should citizens use to accurately evaluate information found in the media?

a)

detect bias

b)

separate fact and opinion

c)

evaluate the source

d)

listen to nly one type of media

e)

identify propaganda

3.

A political debate aired on television is an example of how the media....

a)

shows bias

b)

determines who the winner will be

c)

allows candidates to accept poltical contributions

d)

offers a forum for opposing viewpoints

4.

Which of the following is a way in which the mass media commonly influence public policy & the public agenda?

a)

Publishing editorials and op-ed pieces to identify important issues.

b)

Make political contributions

c)

Lobby government officials

d)

Publish biased public opinion polls

5.

What are elected officials doing when they use the media to hold news conferences?

a)

Giving an opinion poll

b)

Enforcing laws

c)

Communicating with the public

d)

Passing laws

6.

Which scenario demonstrates how the mass media commonly influence public policy & the public agenda?

a)

Lobbying members of Congress

b)

Interviewing different politicians about proposed legislation

c)

Discussing the lifestyle of a politician's family

d)

Writing letters to a congressman

7.

The unbiased media influences public policy in all the following ways EXCEPT --

a)

broadcasts opposing points of view

b)

accurately reports candidate' voting records.

c)

tells people who to vote for.

d)

focuses attention on selected issues.

8.

What term refers to the problems that government leaders consider most important and receive the most attention?

a)

PAC

b)

Public agenda

c)

Interest groups

d)

Public opinion

9.

When the media broadcasts a debate, how are they helping to set the public agenda?

a)

Telling people who to vote for

b)

Lobbying

c)

Holding government officials accountable

d)

Showing opposing points of view

10.

Which of the following best demonstrates the media focusing public attention on a specific issue?

a)

A debate is held between the Republican candidates seeking the nomination for Presidency.

b)

A press conference is held to question the President on the removal of troops from Iraq.

c)

The local news station runs a week long story about the condition of schools throughout the state.

d)

The governor is interviewed about his involvement in a scheme to redraw district lines to favor his party.

11.

Which of the following demonstrates the media offering a forum for opposing viewpoints?

a)

A headline about a government official’s mishandling of state funds

b)

A debate is held between the candidates running for governor.

c)

A news story focuses on a local school’s plan for improving test scores.

d)

A press conference regarding a controversial decision made by the governor.

12.

Which of the following sources is the most accurate?

a)

Candidate: "I will release my tax returns at some point."

b)

Fox News Opinion Host: "The President did nothing wrong."

c)

Unanimous Agreement of Senate Republicans & Democrats: "The President has a legal requirement to give Congress the report."

d)

Bill Weld, a Republican challenger to Pres. Trump: "The President has committed treason."

13.

How does the media influence public policy through agenda-setting?

a)

By dictating government decisions

b)

By highlighting certain issues over others

c)

By directly creating laws

d)

By funding political campaigns

14.

Which of the following is a role of the media in a democratic society?

a)

To enforce laws

b)

To provide a platform for public discourse

c)

To elect government officials

d)

To create public policies

15.

What is one way the media can shape public opinion on policy issues?

a)

By providing unbiased information

b)

By censoring opposing viewpoints

c)

By only reporting on entertainment news

d)

By ignoring important issues