Evaluating News Reporting Answers

1

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Which statement about valid and reliable news reports is true?

A

They include objective facts presented without bias.

B

They are written from a subjective perspective.

C

They present conclusions in order to persuade readers.

D

They are written from a first-person perspective.

1

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Which statement about valid and reliable news reports is true?

A

They include objective facts presented without bias.

B

They are written from a subjective perspective.

C

They present conclusions in order to persuade readers.

D

They are written from a first-person perspective.

2

Read the scenario.The editor-in-chief of a magazine emails this list to her entire staff:Seek the truth without bias.Always fact-check your information.Never compromise your principles.

A

This list is a set of laws, because the guidelines were shared in written form.

B

This list is a set of laws, because it includes mandatory rules for the staff.

C

This list is a code of ethics, because it is a set of guidelines based on ideals.

D

This list is a code of ethics, because everyone on the staff agreed to follow it.

2

Read the headline.Governor Raids Funding for After-School Programs for Preschoolers

A

The headline is objective because there is no indication of bias for or against the governor.

B

The headline is objective because the words are unemotional and have a neutral connotation.

C

The headline is not objective because the word raids adds emotion to the language.

D

The headline is not objective because the word preschoolers adds emotion to the language.

3

Which characteristics best identify an article as an editorial? Select three options.The article is written to convince others to agree with the author.The article is written to inform, and uses plain, objective language.The author uses emotional language to support a claim.The author includes a persuasive conclusion at the end of the article.The piece does not include any potential bias. A community member writes the article.

A

The article is written to convince others to agree with the author.

B

The article is written to inform, and uses plain, objective language.

C

The author uses emotional language to support a claim.

D

The author includes a persuasive conclusion at the end of the article.

E

The piece does not include any potential bias.

F

A community member writes the article.

4

A high school student has just won a science award from NASA, and the local paper is reporting on this accomplishment. Which headline would best indicate that the priority of the news source is to maintain credibility?

A

Science Whiz Wins Big Time

B

High School Senior’s Determination Pays Off

C

Jones High School Senior Wins NASA Award

D

Smith’s Accomplishments Amaze the Community

4

Read the scenario.A journalist researches a possible scheme by a financial services company to steal money from its clients. He has one source, a woman who lost all of the money that she had invested with the company. He also talks to competing firms, who say that the company in question has no ethics. With just this information, the journalist publishes a story accusing the company of stealing clients’ money.

A

keeping news separate from paid advertising

B

seeking the truth and reporting news without bias

C

minimizing harm by showing compassion

D

being accurate and transparent

4

Read the scenario.Joe, a reporter for Main Street News, covered a campaign rally for Jiya Patel, who is running for county commissioner. While at the rally, he interviewed the candidate and some audience members as his research for the article. He then wrote an article describing the rally, the candidate’s platform, and the reasons her supporters believe that she is the best person for this job. When he finished, he turned his article in to his editor. As the editor reviews this story, he sees a public report on campaign donations and learns that Joe has made a sizeable contribution to Patel’s campaign.

A

edit the article that was written to make sure it is objective, then run it in tomorrow’s edition of the newspaper

B

explain to the reporter that the newspaper cannot run the story because of perceived bias based on donations, so the article is being reassigned

C

discuss the article with the reporter to better understand his affiliation with the candidate and his views on the upcoming local elections

D

ask a reporter who supports an opposing candidate to read and help edit the article to ensure there is no bias in the reporting

5

Which headlines can be considered objective? Select two options.Quarterback Looks Lazy in Final Team PracticeStunning Upset Leaves Penguins ReelingUniversity Athletic Director Resigns amid ControversySoftball League Umpire Admits Error on Final PlayIce Skating Champion’s Fall from Grace Continues

A

Quarterback Looks Lazy in Final Team Practice

B

Stunning Upset Leaves Penguins Reeling

C

University Athletic Director Resigns amid Controversy

D

Softball League Umpire Admits Error on Final Play

E

Ice Skating Champion’s Fall from Grace Continues

6

Which headlines can be considered objective? Select two options.Quarterback Looks Lazy in Final Team PracticeStunning Upset Leaves Penguins ReelingUniversity Athletic Director Resigns amid ControversySoftball League Umpire Admits Error on Final PlayIce Skating Champion’s Fall from Grace Continues

A

Quarterback Looks Lazy in Final Team Practice

B

Stunning Upset Leaves Penguins Reeling

C

University Athletic Director Resigns amid Controversy

D

Softball League Umpire Admits Error on Final Play

E

Ice Skating Champion’s Fall from Grace Continues

6

Which news report is most likely to be a reliable source?

A

a news report that uses emotional language as part of an opinion

B

a news report that balances emotional language with plain language

C

a news report that includes emotional language in a direct quotation

D

a news report that uses boldface or italics to highlight emotional language

7

Read the excerpt from an article.Lewis Township officials have been publicly—and loudly—quarreling for what seems like forever over what to do with the 20-acre lot of land on the north side of Main Street. It seems to me that the decision is easy. A big-box retailer will bring Lewis hundreds of jobs—jobs desperately needed here.

A

to persuade the audience to pursue new jobs

B

to persuade the audience to share the writer’s point of view

C

to inform the audience about a community issue

D

to inform the audience about a possible opportunity

7

Read the headline.Governor Raids Funding for After-School Programs for Preschoolers

A

The headline is objective because there is no indication of bias for or against the governor.

B

The headline is objective because the words are unemotional and have a neutral connotation.

C

The headline is not objective because the word raids adds emotion to the language.

D

The headline is not objective because the word preschoolers adds emotion to the language.

8

Read the opening paragraphs from two articles about the same news story.Paragraph 1:Santiago Lopez, a retired Professional Football League quarterback for the San Diego Waves, has publicly accused his former employers of negligence. While he played on the team, he sustained two severe knee injuries. Both injuries were to the right knee and happened within six months of each other. According to Lopez, the league knew of the seriousness of the injuries, but required him to continue to play instead of allowing him to recuperate properly. He continues by saying, "I made a commitment to the league, the Waves, and the fans, and I wanted to fulfill that, but not at the cost of my career. If I had been allowed to heal properly, I believe that I could still be playing today.” League officials have declined to comment.Paragraph 2:Santiago Lopez, one of the all-time greats of the Professional Football League, was forced to retire because he can no longer walk unassisted. While playing with the San Diego Waves, he sustained painful injuries to his right knee. Lopez says that the league knew he was hurt but required him to continue to play throughout the remainder of the season. The league’s actions are disappointing and irresponsible. By refusing to allow Lopez to properly treat his injuries, the league has essentially forced him into early retirement. This mismanagement has robbed him of the rest of his career and the fans of the opportunity to see him play.

A

Both paragraphs are objective, using plain language to inform the reader.

B

Both paragraphs are subjective, using emotional language to persuade the reader.

C

Paragraph 1 uses objective language, while paragraph 2 uses subjective language.

D

Paragraph 1 uses subjective language, while paragraph 2 uses objective language.

9

Which questions best help determine whether a news source is reputable and objective? Select three options.In what order does the news source choose to present the headlines?Does the news source use language that might lead to an emotional response?Is the news source primarily an online news source or a print news source?Does the news source offer the news for free, or is a paid subscription necessary?What type of language do the reporters use in the published news stories?

A

In what order does the news source choose to present the headlines?

B

Does the news source use language that might lead to an emotional response?

C

Is the news source primarily an online news source or a print news source?

D

Does the news source offer the news for free, or is a paid subscription necessary?

E

What type of language do the reporters use in the published news stories?

9

Which journalistic decisions would violate the code of ethics set by the Society of Professional Journalists? Select two options.A newspaper places an ad on the page opposite an article about foreign policy.A journalist reports on a series of robberies that occurred in his own neighborhood.A reporter writes a story about his wife’s company without revealing their relationship.A magazine runs a series of articles speculating about a celebrity’s medical history.An editor refuses to publish an article about a politician due to questionable sources.

A

A newspaper places an ad on the page opposite an article about foreign policy.

B

A journalist reports on a series of robberies that occurred in his own neighborhood.

C

A reporter writes a story about his wife’s company without revealing their relationship.

D

A magazine runs a series of articles speculating about a celebrity’s medical history.

E

An editor refuses to publish an article about a politician due to questionable sources.

10

Which scenarios are considered ethically acceptable for journalists? Select three options.paying money to attend a conference about climate change in order to do research for an articleaccepting money from a politician to report on an opponent, then donating the money to a charityending an investigation because it may lead to violence and disunity in a local communityinterviewing the CEOs of two insurance companies that are competing against each otherusing information from a wiki page to clarify information about a topic

A

paying money to attend a conference about climate change in order to do research for an article

B

accepting money from a politician to report on an opponent, then donating the money to a charity

C

ending an investigation because it may lead to violence and disunity in a local community

D

interviewing the CEOs of two insurance companies that are competing against each other

E

using information from a wiki page to clarify information about a topic

10

Read the opening paragraphs from two articles about the same news story.Paragraph 1:Santiago Lopez, a retired Professional Football League quarterback for the San Diego Waves, has publicly accused his former employers of negligence. While he played on the team, he sustained two severe knee injuries. Both injuries were to the right knee and happened within six months of each other. According to Lopez, the league knew of the seriousness of the injuries, but required him to continue to play instead of allowing him to recuperate properly. He continues by saying, "I made a commitment to the league, the Waves, and the fans, and I wanted to fulfill that, but not at the cost of my career. If I had been allowed to heal properly, I believe that I could still be playing today.” League officials have declined to comment.Paragraph 2:Santiago Lopez, one of the all-time greats of the Professional Football League, was forced to retire because he can no longer walk unassisted. While playing with the San Diego Waves, he sustained painful injuries to his right knee. Lopez says that the league knew he was hurt but required him to continue to play throughout the remainder of the season. The league’s actions are disappointing and irresponsible. By refusing to allow Lopez to properly treat his injuries, the league has essentially forced him into early retirement. This mismanagement has robbed him of the rest of his career and the fans of the opportunity to see him play.

A

Both paragraphs are objective, using plain language to inform the reader.

B

Both paragraphs are subjective, using emotional language to persuade the reader.

C

Paragraph 1 uses objective language, while paragraph 2 uses subjective language.

D

Paragraph 1 uses subjective language, while paragraph 2 uses objective language.

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