Chapter 7: The Mass Media And The Political Agenda

Approved & Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team
The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Arippee
A
Arippee
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 37 | Total Attempts: 4,751
Questions: 10 | Attempts: 467

SettingsSettingsSettings
Mass Media Quizzes & Trivia

Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    Which of these was NOT part of the Reagan White House’s strategies for news management?

    • A.

      Allow the press unlimited access to the president

    • B.

      Plan ahead

    • C.

      Stay on the offensive

    • D.

      Repeat the same message many times

    • E.

      Speak in one voice

    Correct Answer
    A. Allow the press unlimited access to the president
    Explanation
    The Reagan White House's strategies for news management included planning ahead, staying on the offensive, repeating the same message many times, and speaking in one voice. However, allowing the press unlimited access to the president was not part of their strategies. This means that the Reagan White House did not prioritize giving the press unrestricted access to the president, and instead focused on controlling the narrative and message through careful planning and consistent messaging.

    Rate this question:

  • 2. 

    Which president held one thousand press conferences, far more than any other?

    • A.

      John F. Kennedy b. c. d. e.

    • B.

      Richard Nixon

    • C.

      Ronald Reagan

    • D.

      Franklin Roosevelt

    • E.

      Bill Clinton

    Correct Answer
    D. Franklin Roosevelt
    Explanation
    Franklin Roosevelt held one thousand press conferences, which is more than any other president.

    Rate this question:

  • 3. 

     One president who was particularly successful in playing to the media was

    • A.

      George H. W. Bush

    • B.

      Ronald Reagan

    • C.

      Richard Nixon

    • D.

      Jimmy Carter

    • E.

      Thomas Jefferson

    Correct Answer
    B. Ronald Reagan
    Explanation
    Ronald Reagan is the correct answer because he was known for his exceptional communication skills and ability to connect with the media. He was a former actor, which gave him experience in public speaking and performing. Reagan utilized his charisma and charm to effectively communicate his policies and ideas to the American public, gaining widespread support. He was often referred to as the "Great Communicator" and was able to use the media to his advantage, shaping public opinion and maintaining a positive image throughout his presidency.

    Rate this question:

  • 4. 

    The cozy relationship between politicians and the press in the twentieth century lasted until

    • A.

      The Iranian Hostage Crisis

    • B.

      World War II

    • C.

      The commercialization of television

    • D.

      The beginning of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency

    • E.

      The Vietnam War and Watergate

    Correct Answer
    E. The Vietnam War and Watergate
    Explanation
    The cozy relationship between politicians and the press in the twentieth century lasted until the Vietnam War and Watergate. During this time, the press had generally maintained a positive relationship with politicians, often portraying them in a favorable light. However, the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal brought significant changes to this relationship. The press became more critical and investigative, exposing government lies and corruption. These events marked a turning point in the relationship between politicians and the press, leading to increased scrutiny and a more adversarial dynamic.

    Rate this question:

  • 5. 

    The use of detective-like reporting methods to unearth scandals is known as

    • A.

      Yellow journalism

    • B.

      Trial balloons

    • C.

      Scientific journalism

    • D.

      Investigative journalism

    • E.

      Print journalism

    Correct Answer
    D. Investigative journalism
    Explanation
    Investigative journalism refers to the practice of using detective-like reporting methods to uncover scandals or expose wrongdoing. This type of journalism involves in-depth research, interviews, and analysis to dig deeper into a story and reveal hidden truths. It often involves extensive research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and credibility. Yellow journalism, trial balloons, scientific journalism, and print journalism are not specifically focused on uncovering scandals or using investigative techniques.

    Rate this question:

  • 6. 

    The nation's most influential newspaper and its unofficial "newspaper of record" is

    • A.

      USA Today

    • B.

      The New York Times

    • C.

      The Wall Street Journal

    • D.

      Congressional Quarterly

    • E.

      The Washington Post

    Correct Answer
    B. The New York Times
    Explanation
    The New York Times is considered the nation's most influential newspaper and its unofficial "newspaper of record" due to its extensive coverage of national and international news, its reputation for journalistic integrity, and its long history of setting the agenda for public discourse. The newspaper has won numerous Pulitzer Prizes and has a large readership both in print and online, making it a trusted source of news for many Americans.

    Rate this question:

  • 7. 

    In a famous, televised speech in 1952 to save his vice presidential candidacy, ________ denied having received illegal gifts and payments, and declared that the family dog, Checkers, though a gift, would not be returned.

    • A.

      John Sparkman

    • B.

      Richard Nixon

    • C.

      Lyndon Johnson

    • D.

      Spiro Agnew

    • E.

      Dwight Eisenhower

    Correct Answer
    B. Richard Nixon
    Explanation
    In 1952, Richard Nixon delivered a televised speech to save his vice presidential candidacy. In this speech, he denied having received illegal gifts and payments. He also mentioned that the family dog, Checkers, although a gift, would not be returned. This speech became famous and is often referred to as the "Checkers speech."

    Rate this question:

  • 8. 

    Following the first Nixon-Kennedy presidential debate of 1960, opinion polls showed that

    • A.

      Those who watched on television thought Nixon had won, while those who listened overthe radio thought Kennedy won.

    • B.

      Those who watched on television and listened over the radio both thought Kennedy had won.

    • C.

      Those who listened over radio thought it was a draw, while those who watched television thought Kennedy did better

    • D.

      Those who watched on television and listened over the radio both thought Nixon had won.

    • E.

      Those who watched on television thought Kennedy had won, while those who listened over the radio thought Nixon won.

    Correct Answer
    E. Those who watched on television thought Kennedy had won, while those who listened over the radio thought Nixon won.
    Explanation
    This answer suggests that there was a discrepancy in the perception of the debate outcome between those who watched it on television and those who listened to it on the radio. According to the opinion polls, those who watched on television believed that Kennedy had won, while those who listened over the radio believed that Nixon had won. This indicates that the visual aspect of the debate, which was only available to television viewers, influenced their perception of the candidates' performance.

    Rate this question:

  • 9. 

    In 1934, Congress created the ______________ to regulate the use of the airwaves

    • A.

      Federal Trade Commission

    • B.

      Equal Opportunity Commission

    • C.

      Federal Communications Commission

    • D.

      Department of the Interior

    • E.

      Department of Media Communications

    Correct Answer
    C. Federal Communications Commission
    Explanation
    The correct answer is the Federal Communications Commission. In 1934, Congress created this commission to regulate the use of the airwaves. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for overseeing radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable communications in the United States. They ensure that these industries operate in the public interest and promote competition while protecting consumers.

    Rate this question:

  • 10. 

    An intentional news leak for the purpose of assessing the political reaction to that news is called

    • A.

      A talking head

    • B.

      A press conference.

    • C.

      A media event

    • D.

      A trial balloon

    • E.

      Investigative journalism

    Correct Answer
    D. A trial balloon
    Explanation
    A trial balloon is an intentional news leak that is used to gauge the political reaction to a particular piece of news. It is a strategy often employed by politicians or government officials to test public opinion or assess the potential impact of a policy or decision before officially announcing it. By leaking the news and observing the response, they can make informed decisions on whether to proceed or make adjustments. This tactic allows them to gauge public sentiment without committing to a specific course of action.

    Rate this question:

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 19, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Nov 01, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Arippee

Related Topics

Back to Top Back to top
Advertisement
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.