Chapter 9 Self-check questions

. Why are political communications important for public opinion?

Because it allows the spread of information and this is important in a democracy.

Because it takes up several different forms, and is recognisable by people in these forms, specifically audio, visual, and written.

Because it shapes the way in which information is received by people, and in turn how they receive it.

Because it allows governments to keep people informed on political decisions and issues.

. Which of the following statements contains a false assertion about political communications?

It takes up many different forms, including being formal or informal.

It encompasses communication by sound or visual communication, like videos, photos, or diagrams.

Some types of political communication are even ancient.

Political communications always blur the boundary between fact and opinion.

. Which of the following does not explain why the internet has been pervasive for all other forms of political communications?

Because it has changed the way in which all other types of media operate.

Because it encompasses all other types and forms of communications.

Because the internet allows interplay between different forms of communication.

Because the internet is available to 96 per cent of households in Great Britain.

. When were parliamentary proceedings first televised?

In 1978

In 1985

In 1989

In 1998

. Why can the internet be a problematic source for communication with voters?

Because it has fundamentally changed the way in which voters communicate and engage with the state.

Because it exposes people to malicious messaging, or false and misleading information.

Because it has changed people's expectations of government.

Because it provides a platform for various partisan media outlets.

. What are a party's main objectives in using political communications?

To promote the party's ideas and portray them in a positive light

To provide accurate communication

To protect people from malicious messaging or invasions of privacy

To influence the content of messages that are not directly under their control

. What are 'partisan' communications?

Communications that promote a specific agenda, including either a specific political view, or a party-political line.

Communications that do nothing except endorse the official party line, including no further dissemination of information.

Communications that are sensitive to tone and protect particular interests.

Communication that is inherently impartial and seeks to stay away from any controversial messaging.

. What is the difference in restrictions between newspapers and broadcasters?

Broadcasters are allowed to be partisan and support political parties, whereas newspapers are not allowed to be partisan.

Broadcasters are allowed to exaggerate facts and engage in satire, but newspapers cannot facilitate the spread of fake information.

Broadcasters must provide a minimum of two partisan points of view to ensure that they remain balanced, whereas newspapers can be biased towards one view alone.

Broadcasters must remain neutral in their reporting, whereas newspapers are allowed to be partisan and take strong positions.

. Which of the following is an example of an impartial news agency?

Ofcom

The Daily Mirror

The Daily Telegraph

The BBC

. Why does a political audience matter?

Because it facilitates canvasing which is one of the main goals behind political communications.

Because broadcasters need to be able to target partisan audiences.

Because it can determine what a specific source says, and the nature of the material it generates.

Because media outlets must remain impartial if they are engaging with a political audience.

. What does micro-targeting mean?

It entails using heavily slanted or misleading information to target a specific audience.

It entails tailoring messages to suit a specific audience.

It refers to the kinds of the messaging and communication used by authorities when broadcasting a political message.

It entails using messaging and political communications to consciously exploit social divisions.

. Which of the following is an appropriate exercise of the rights guaranteed by freedom of the press?

Politicians making unrealistic pledges to voters or misrepresenting their opponents

The press mispresenting, distorting, or exaggerating important factual information

Portraying a divisive political issue in an emotionally charged way

Selective criticism of objectionable actions and deliberate omissions of information

. Why has the internet caused problems for democracy?

Because it facilitates partisan messaging and micro-targeting.

Because it allows individuals to express aggressive and harmful opinions.

Because it has caused the introduction of libel law and placed limits on the freedom of expression.

Because it can use psychological manipulation in communication and facilitates simplified messages and extremism.

. What is the 'false context of connection'?

Presenting inaccurate and humorous stories as if they are true

Allowing factually inaccurate to be shared, alongside false contextual information

Relentlessly allowing micro-targeted messaging, which may distort people's views to prevail

Allowing the impersonation of genuine sources

. Which of the following was not covered by the Leveson inquiry?

Evaluating the balance between freedom of expression and press responsibility in a democracy

Exploring allegations of inappropriate behaviour by journalists

Investigating claims surrounding illegal payments by newspapers to members of the police, to avoid the proper investigation of crimes

Exploring the use of a regulatory body aimed at enforcing consistent standards upon social media platforms

Chapter 9 Self-check questions

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