Final answer:
The statement that magazines became a national mass medium before newspapers in the United States is false. Newspapers have been the core of the mass media since the early 18th century and were nationally circulated and respected by the time of the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that magazines became a national mass medium in the United States before newspapers is false. The core of the mass media in the United States for much of its history has been the newspaper, not magazines. Newspapers spread information about local events and activities starting from the early establishment of a continuous press in Boston in 1704. With increased technology, decreased production and distribution costs, and the expansion of transportation, newspapers proliferated significantly in the 19th century. By the time of the Civil War, newspapers aimed to adhere to professional standards of accuracy and impartiality. Additionally, new technology like the linotype machine further propelled the newspaper industry, allowing for papers to be mass-produced effectively. This clearly indicates that newspapers had already become a mass medium nationally before magazines did.