Political news is the product of two sets of independent actors, politicians and the news media, who areGroup of answer choicesTrying to provide informational shortcuts so voters can digest news more easilyWorking together to evaluate the claims of public officials and determine whether they are telling the truthFrequently competing with one another to define the story, yet interdependent on each otherOpenly hostile toward one another and almost never cooperate

The combination of digital and online technology being used by news sources, politicians, and even people who aren’t reporters allows anyone to make or cover news. This has the effect ofGroup of answer choicesBlurring the line between reporting and opinion, making it difficult to be sure one is reading fact-based reportingEnsuring that an ever-increasing share of the population is informed of political eventsDriving news consumers to back reading printed newspapers they know they can rely on for factual reportingIncreasing the reliability and accuracy of news posted on social media outlets

If people's minds are generally made up, what effect do news stories usually have on the way people think about politics?Group of answer choicesvery little or nonedepends if it is television or radioquite a bit if the news story is well writtendepends if it is new media or old media

The news media's common-carrier role is based on the idea thatMultiple Choicethe press should be patriotic in the reporting of the news.various news organizations should interpret the news in nearly the same way.the press should not charge for public service announcements.the press should provide a channel through which political leaders can communicate their views to the public.the news will be available to all citizens.

An independent press plays an indispensable role in maintaining a representative democracy for which of the following reasons?Group of answer choicesBecause otherwise consumers have few opportunities to be exposed to commercial print adsBecause the government has elaborate authority to initiate prior restraintBecause it is typically run by the journalistic elite, who are better equipped to know for whom to vote than the average citizenWithout reliable information about the performance of officeholders, citizens would be hard-pressed to monitor their agents, and politicians would find it difficult to communicate with their constituents

Which of the following is a true statement about the role of the media in providing citizens with information?ResponsesInvestigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary.Investigative reporting dominates the news because it is less expensive than political commentary.Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press.The media is increasingly controlled by the major political parties, who determine which stories are covered by the press.There has been an increase in social media and Internet news consumption by the public, causing the top five media conglomerates to have greater control over public opinion.