Question 1

 

1.  

 

Most people consider facts to be important when those facts

 

		deal with people from distant places who suffer.
		affect their own living conditions.
		affect the living conditions of those in different classes in society.
		represent alternative viewpoints to their own.

 

Question 2

 

1.  

 

In order to be economically successful, the stories in the news media must do what?

 

		Sell the media effectively
		Present the facts of a story
		Represent multiple views on an issue
		Package the material in an objective fashion

 

Question 3

 

1.  

 

In order to obtain information from a story that is filled with propaganda, a person must do which of the following?

 

		Analyze it from his or her own perspective.
		See if it agrees with common wisdom of the day.
		Seek other sources that mirror the same viewpoint.
		Analyze the story with a clear understanding of the point of view that lies underneath it.

 

Question 4

 

1.  

 

Mass media producers have sympathies that distort their objectivity. All of the following are groups to which the media are sympathies EXCEPT the __________.

 

		advertisers
		government
		suffering
		competitors

 

Question 5

 

1.  

 

When constructing a news story for an audience, those who create the story are motivated by:

 

		a desire to educate their audiences.
		how to relate the story to the beliefs of the audience.
		the best way to present the facts.
		a goal of being fair to all sides involved in the story.

 

Question 6

 

1.  

 

Match the explanation with the appropriate Key Term

 

Objectivity Intellectual humility Fair-minded thinking Sophistic objectivity Propaganda Sensitivity to advertisers Sensitivity to government Sensitivity to competitors Sensitivity to powerful interests Critical society

A. The result of studying multiple views with the overriding motivation to defend a specific viewpoint B. Understanding of the many-sidedness of an issue C. Bias of news media toward following stories first reported by other outlets D. Influence exerted by economic, political, and religious organizations to shape media coverage in their favor E. Understanding of one’s own ignorance F. Openness to multiple points of view and the ability to question one’s own point of view G. Widespread dissemination of ideas to promote one’s own interests or harm another’s interests H. Tendency of news media to support the views of officials in power I. Civilization that embraces critical thinking as a way of life J. Reluctance of news media to criticize their principal source or revenue

 

Question 7

 

1.  

 

 Identify the kinds of myths that are perpetuated by the media, and then provide examples of these myths from your own experience.

 

 

 

Your response should be at least 200 words in length. You are required to use at least your textbook as source material for your response. All sources used, including the textbook, must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations.

 

Question 8

 

1.  

 

Identify and explain the steps that one must take to be a critical consumer of the news, and describe a time where you failed to be a critical consumer of the news.

 

 

 

Your response should be at least 200 words in length.

 

Question 9

 

1.  

 

Describe the prospects for establishing a “Critical Society” as described by Graham Sumner.

 

 

 

Your response should be at least 200 words in length.