POSC 225: U.S. Media, Parties, and Voting
Exam UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What are 'news deserts'? - CORRECT ANSWER Areas where 1/5 of the country's
population lives without a local news organization or one at risk.
What is a major consequence of the decline of the newspaper industry? - CORRECT
ANSWER Decreased civic engagement and accountability of elected officials.
What is 'infotainment'? - CORRECT ANSWER News outlets sharing more than just
news, including sports and pop culture.
What role does the mass media play in elections? - CORRECT ANSWER It makes the
public's electoral choices clear and provides policy information.
What are some concerns about social media as a news source? - CORRECT
ANSWER Spreading misinformation and the impact on democracy.
What is the watchdog function of the media? - CORRECT ANSWER Holding public
officials accountable for their actions.
What is the impact of corporate ownership on media? - CORRECT
ANSWER Concerns about efficiency, diversity of voices, and focus on entertainment
over policy information.
What is the significance of podcast appearances by political candidates? - CORRECT
ANSWER They humanize candidates and target younger voters.
What is the relationship between reporters and government officials? - CORRECT
ANSWER A mutual dependence that can lead to beneficial leaks of information.
, What are wire services? - CORRECT ANSWER Organizations like AP and Reuters
that provide news coverage.
What is the focus of most news coverage today? - CORRECT ANSWER Conflict,
negativity, and scandal.
What is a key trend in news consumption among different age groups? - CORRECT
ANSWER Younger audiences prefer social media platforms like TikTok for news.
What is the effect of media consolidation? - CORRECT ANSWER Scholars disagree
on its effects, including diversity of voices and policy information.
What percentage of Facebook users shared stories from false news sites during the 2016
election? - CORRECT ANSWER About 8%.
What are some bright spots in the news industry despite the decline? - CORRECT
ANSWER Nonprofit, digital, local outlets are emerging in place of traditional
newspapers.
What is the 'hostile media effect'? - CORRECT ANSWER It is when individuals with
different political views perceive media coverage as biased against their own party.
Why is it hard to approach media objectively? - CORRECT ANSWER People tend to
see media through their own partisan lens.
Which political group perceives more bias in media? - CORRECT ANSWER More
Republicans see bias in media compared to Democrats.
What is the norm of objectivity in journalism? - CORRECT ANSWER It refers to the
expectation that journalists should avoid bias to maintain credibility.
Exam UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What are 'news deserts'? - CORRECT ANSWER Areas where 1/5 of the country's
population lives without a local news organization or one at risk.
What is a major consequence of the decline of the newspaper industry? - CORRECT
ANSWER Decreased civic engagement and accountability of elected officials.
What is 'infotainment'? - CORRECT ANSWER News outlets sharing more than just
news, including sports and pop culture.
What role does the mass media play in elections? - CORRECT ANSWER It makes the
public's electoral choices clear and provides policy information.
What are some concerns about social media as a news source? - CORRECT
ANSWER Spreading misinformation and the impact on democracy.
What is the watchdog function of the media? - CORRECT ANSWER Holding public
officials accountable for their actions.
What is the impact of corporate ownership on media? - CORRECT
ANSWER Concerns about efficiency, diversity of voices, and focus on entertainment
over policy information.
What is the significance of podcast appearances by political candidates? - CORRECT
ANSWER They humanize candidates and target younger voters.
What is the relationship between reporters and government officials? - CORRECT
ANSWER A mutual dependence that can lead to beneficial leaks of information.
, What are wire services? - CORRECT ANSWER Organizations like AP and Reuters
that provide news coverage.
What is the focus of most news coverage today? - CORRECT ANSWER Conflict,
negativity, and scandal.
What is a key trend in news consumption among different age groups? - CORRECT
ANSWER Younger audiences prefer social media platforms like TikTok for news.
What is the effect of media consolidation? - CORRECT ANSWER Scholars disagree
on its effects, including diversity of voices and policy information.
What percentage of Facebook users shared stories from false news sites during the 2016
election? - CORRECT ANSWER About 8%.
What are some bright spots in the news industry despite the decline? - CORRECT
ANSWER Nonprofit, digital, local outlets are emerging in place of traditional
newspapers.
What is the 'hostile media effect'? - CORRECT ANSWER It is when individuals with
different political views perceive media coverage as biased against their own party.
Why is it hard to approach media objectively? - CORRECT ANSWER People tend to
see media through their own partisan lens.
Which political group perceives more bias in media? - CORRECT ANSWER More
Republicans see bias in media compared to Democrats.
What is the norm of objectivity in journalism? - CORRECT ANSWER It refers to the
expectation that journalists should avoid bias to maintain credibility.
