Read the excerpt from "The Role of Social Media in the Arab Uprisings" by Heather Brown, Emily Guskin, and Amy Mitchell. Twitter, Facebook and other new media offer ways for the Arab-American news media to reach audiences, but also pose a threat to smaller outlets. In addition to keeping up with the online presence of larger news organizations, Arab-American media are forced to compete with user-generated content that is rapidly available to audiences. The utility of social media in accessing information became clear during the Arab uprisings and events such as Egypt’s parliamentary and presidential elections. However, [Suzanne] Manneh of New America Media points out that the credibility of this information is difficult to verify "depending on where it’s from, to whom it’s attributed, [and] especially when various events are happening very quickly." Arab-American news outlets find they must compete with this abundance of online content in order to evolve alongside readers who are increasingly turning to the internet for information. Newspapers have made the greatest inroads here so far, with most offering at least some form of digital content, while still maintaining print versions for older generations and those who prefer a physical newspaper. Radio programs, in light of the continuing challenge to find advertising sponsorship, are beginning to shift online. Arab-American television, on the other hand, has yet to even really find a place amid the satellite programming available from Arab countries. Which statements best evaluate the evidence in this excerpt? Choose two correct answers.
Answer
A
The authors use a quotation from an eyewitness to support the argument that the Arab American news media face different challenges than smaller news media outlets in Arab countries.
B
The authors use examples of different types of media to support the argument that social media has changed how the Arab American news media operate.
C
The authors use a quotation from an expert to support the argument that social media has been both helpful and hazardous for the Arab American news media.
D
The authors use data about the types and effectiveness of social media to support the argument that social media is driving Arab American broadcast media out of business.
E
The authors use a personal story to illustrate the argument that, despite new and ever-changing forms of social media, Arab American print and broadcast media are stronger than ever.
Explanation
The authors quote Suzanne Manneh of New America Media, who notes that information on social media can be difficult to verify. This expert’s comment supports the idea that social media is useful for accessing information but can also create problems with credibility, so B is correct. The excerpt also discusses newspapers adding digital content, radio programs shifting online, and Arab-American television struggling to find a place; these examples show how social media and online content affect different media, supporting C.
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