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E decide which issues are important enough to bring to public attention

The agenda-setting function of the media refers to the power to: A endorse specific candidates for political office B favor the position of one interest group over another C counter the censorship activities of media watch groups. D mobilize economic interests in favor of a particular candidate E decide which issues are important enough to bring to public attention

C. Influencing which issues the public sees as important

The media's effect on public opinion can best be described as: A. Influencing older citizens' opinions of incumbents B. Affecting the public's views on domestic policy only C. Influencing which issues the public sees as important D. Changing well-educated people's views on foreign policy E. Influencing the public's views on controversial issues only

B) cover campaigns by emphasizing the relative standing of the candidates in the polls rather than the issues they discuss

The term "horse race journalism" refers to the tendency of the media to: A) cover Congress by focusing on committee chairs rather than on the work of committees B) cover campaigns by emphasizing the relative standing of the candidates in the polls rather than the issues they discuss C) cover politics by concentrating on scandal and corruption rather than on instances of integrity and honorable action D) compete for access to sources rather than to cooperate in gathering news E) compete to be the first with major breaking stories rather than trying to present full, accurate accounts of such stories

B) reinforce existing political beliefs

Tom believes that the government should be limited in its regulation of the economy, but he wants to find out more about economic policy. As he researches the topic, he increasingly relies on a well-respected conservative blog as his main source of information. Tom's actions demonstrate the tendency of individuals to seek out information from sources that A) integrate social and economic concerns B) reinforce existing political beliefs C) use empirical data to support conclusions D) focus on individual opinions rather than group consensus

B) Demand for instantaneous news reporting has led to the growth of 24-hour news operations and a shift to online media consumption.

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

E) Network news coverage is usually dominated by reporters who offer relatively short sound bites from the candidates.

Which of the following most accurately describes media coverage of elections? A) Coverage of presidential primaries gives relatively equal power to states regardless of when they hold their primaries. B) Coverage tends to focus on issues rather than on which candidate is ahead in public opinion polls. C) Reporters who use secret sources in their campaign coverage are shielded by federal law from having to reveal those sources. D) Radio and television stations must provide on their news broadcasts equal time for and equal coverage of major party candidates. E) Network news coverage is usually dominated by reporters who offer relatively short sound bites from the candidates.