Question

Match each example of the mass media with the role it describes.

Media as agenda-setter.
Media as a business.
Media as gatekeeper.
Media that is biased.
Media as watchdog.

The media begins reporting about a disgusting-looking ingredient found in many common foods. Soon everyone is talking about the ingredient. People begin signing petitions, and soon there is a major movement to convince the government to outlaw the ingredient.

Two hundred people rally in the street to protest a city’s decision to cut bus transportation. Instead of covering that event, the evening news runs a story about the mayor’s plan to build a new park.

A politician accepts expensive gifts from a campaign supporter. Two television networks run hour-long exposés about the politician’s bad behavior. The politician returns the gifts and resigns from office.

Two presidential candidates give speeches in a city on the same day. One local newspaper features a photo of the Republican candidate with the front page story. The other local paper runs a photo of the Democratic candidate.

A newspaper loses several advertising accounts after sales are down. The paper decides to put crime stories on the front page and move stories about government to page 2. Sales go up, and advertisers begin buying more ad space in the newspaper.

Answer 1

The media serves as an agenda-setter by influencing public attention, a gatekeeper by deciding what stories to cover, and a watchdog by exposing wrongdoing.

Step-by-step explanation:

Media as agenda-setter: The media begins reporting about a disgusting-looking ingredient found in many common foods, which leads to a major movement to outlaw the ingredient.

Media as a gatekeeper: The evening news runs a story about the mayor's plan to build a new park instead of covering a protest against cutting bus transportation.

Media as watchdog: Two television networks run exposés about a politician's bad behavior, prompting the politician to return the gifts and resign from office.