10.6: Influencing Public Opinion: The Mass Media

Which of the following statements BEST reflects how the media have changed political campaigns? A. Candidates are tied to their party organization to a lesser degree. B. Candidates have fewer opportunities to convey their opinions to voters. C. Candidates are able to talk at length about more substantive issues. D. Candidates must work hard to maintain a formal image at all times.

A. Candidates are tied to their party organization to a lesser degree.

Which of the following illustrates the fact that the media's influence on public political attitudes is limited? A. A television news station decides to cover the campaign rally of one candidate rather than another. B. A Republican regularly visits the websites of Republican candidates but never those of Democratic candidates. C. A newspaper features a story about immigration on the front page and puts a story about proposed oil drilling on page 4. D. The President spends one hour each day reviewing the top news stories in the media.

B. A republican regularly visits the websites of Republican candidates but never those of Democratic candidates.

How was social media affected politics in the United States? A. It has decreased the public's confidence in government. B. It has increased the public's political involvement. C. It has decreased the public's need for in-depth coverage of political issues. D. It has increased the public's interest in partisan politics.

B. It has increased the public's political involvement.

The media influences politics MOST by A. broadcasting public service announcements. B. selecting certain issues to highlight. C. providing news 24 hours per day. D. using clever sound bites to convey information.

B. selecting certain issues to highlight.

Which of the following statements BEST shows the impact of the Internet and other electronic information on the political process? A. A voter watches a podcast presented by a candidate. B. A campaign manager uses e-mail as a primary mode of communication. C. News reporters send text messages to each other while they cover trending stories. D. A candidate alters his stance on an issue based on the number of likes on his Facebook page.

D. A candidate alters his stance on an issue based on the number of likes on his Facebook page.