WGU C181 Chapter 6 - The Media Exam Questions with Correct Answers Latest Update
2026/2027
market-driven journalism - Answers Both reporting news and running commercials geared to a
target audience defined by demographic characteristics.
infotainment - Answers A mix of information and diversion oriented to personalities or
celebrities, not linked to the day's events, and usually unrelated to public affairs or policy; often
called "soft news".
going public - Answers A strategy whereby a president seeks to influence policy elites and
media coverage by appealing directly to the American people.
political agenda - Answers A list of issues that need government attention.
mass media - Answers The means employed in mass communication; traditionally divided into
print media and broadcast media.
watchdog journalism - Answers Journalism that scrutinizes public and business institutions and
publicizes perceived misconduct.
blog - Answers A form of newsletter, journal, or "log" of thoughts for public reading, usually
devoted to social or political issues and often updated daily.
two-step flow of communication - Answers The process in which a few policy elites gather
information and then inform their more numerous followers, mobilizing them to apply pressure
to government.
horse race journalism - Answers Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which
candidate is ahead rather than on national issues.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - Answers An independent federal agency that
regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph,
cable, and satellite.
media event - Answers A situation that is so "newsworthy" that the mass media are compelled
to cover it. Candidates in elections often create such situations to garner media attention.
television hypothesis - Answers The belief that television is to blame for the low level of citizens'
knowledge about public affairs.
attentive policy elites - Answers Leaders who follow news in specific policy areas.
soft news - Answers General entertainment programming that often includes discussions of
political affairs.
newsworthiness - Answers The degree to which a news story is important enough to be covered
, in the mass media.
gatekeepers - Answers Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the
flow of news.
Mass Communication - Answers Transmitting information to large, heterogeneous widely
dispersed audience
Mass Media - Answers Means for communicating
Print media
Broadcast media
Mass Media - Post Broadcast Age - Answers Post Broadcast Age
1. Interactivity of Internet creates two-way flow of information
--From government to citizens
--From citizens to government
Mass Media - Political Uses - Answers Political Uses of Mass Media
1. Newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and Internet
Political Content Also Transmitted
1. Recordings, motion pictures
Mass Media - Newspapers - Answers Newspapers in Mass Media
1. First U.S. Newspapers: small circulations, political organizations
2. 1830's: independent ownership, large circulations
3. 1880's: large cities had many newspapers
4. 1960's: competition nearly disappeared under pressure from radio and TV
5. 2000's: Circulation declined bu readership up online.
Mass Media - Magazines - Answers Magazines in Mass Media
1. More specialized than newspapers, less frequent publications
2. Magazines can wield political power
2026/2027
market-driven journalism - Answers Both reporting news and running commercials geared to a
target audience defined by demographic characteristics.
infotainment - Answers A mix of information and diversion oriented to personalities or
celebrities, not linked to the day's events, and usually unrelated to public affairs or policy; often
called "soft news".
going public - Answers A strategy whereby a president seeks to influence policy elites and
media coverage by appealing directly to the American people.
political agenda - Answers A list of issues that need government attention.
mass media - Answers The means employed in mass communication; traditionally divided into
print media and broadcast media.
watchdog journalism - Answers Journalism that scrutinizes public and business institutions and
publicizes perceived misconduct.
blog - Answers A form of newsletter, journal, or "log" of thoughts for public reading, usually
devoted to social or political issues and often updated daily.
two-step flow of communication - Answers The process in which a few policy elites gather
information and then inform their more numerous followers, mobilizing them to apply pressure
to government.
horse race journalism - Answers Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which
candidate is ahead rather than on national issues.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - Answers An independent federal agency that
regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph,
cable, and satellite.
media event - Answers A situation that is so "newsworthy" that the mass media are compelled
to cover it. Candidates in elections often create such situations to garner media attention.
television hypothesis - Answers The belief that television is to blame for the low level of citizens'
knowledge about public affairs.
attentive policy elites - Answers Leaders who follow news in specific policy areas.
soft news - Answers General entertainment programming that often includes discussions of
political affairs.
newsworthiness - Answers The degree to which a news story is important enough to be covered
, in the mass media.
gatekeepers - Answers Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the
flow of news.
Mass Communication - Answers Transmitting information to large, heterogeneous widely
dispersed audience
Mass Media - Answers Means for communicating
Print media
Broadcast media
Mass Media - Post Broadcast Age - Answers Post Broadcast Age
1. Interactivity of Internet creates two-way flow of information
--From government to citizens
--From citizens to government
Mass Media - Political Uses - Answers Political Uses of Mass Media
1. Newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and Internet
Political Content Also Transmitted
1. Recordings, motion pictures
Mass Media - Newspapers - Answers Newspapers in Mass Media
1. First U.S. Newspapers: small circulations, political organizations
2. 1830's: independent ownership, large circulations
3. 1880's: large cities had many newspapers
4. 1960's: competition nearly disappeared under pressure from radio and TV
5. 2000's: Circulation declined bu readership up online.
Mass Media - Magazines - Answers Magazines in Mass Media
1. More specialized than newspapers, less frequent publications
2. Magazines can wield political power
