Why was freedom of the press included as a right in both the US Constitution and the Massachusetts Constitution?
(1 point)
Responses
The law cannot be enforced without it.
The law cannot be enforced without it.
It is a check on unlimited government power.
It is a check on unlimited government power.
The press is an important part of government.
The press is an important part of government.
It was not legal before ratification of these documents.
The law cannot be enforced without it
Which statement best explains why members of the press can cover the same event, but provide differing information about it?
(1 point)
Responses
They don’t all have access to the same information.
They don’t all have access to the same information.
Many journalists do not understand current events.
Many journalists do not understand current events.
Different news organization are not allowed to produce similar stories.
Different news organization are not allowed to produce similar stories.
News organizations often approach a story from different points of view.
News organizations often approach a story from different points of view.
How do editorials, editorial cartoons, and op-eds differ from news articles?
(1 point)
Responses
They are written by journalists, while a news article is not.
They are written by journalists, while a news article is not.
They express an opinion while a news article should not.
They express an opinion while a news article should not.
They can appear in social media, but not in print newspapers or magazines.
They can appear in social media, but not in print newspapers or magazines.
They do not deal with current events, while a news article does.
They express an opinion while a news article should not.
What is the challenge in a democratic society of the use of social media as a major source of news?
(1 point)
Responses
Social media reports are never written by journalists.
Social media reports are never written by journalists.
Social media expresses a point of view.
Social media expresses a point of view.
Social media might not present unbiased information needed to evaluate issues.
Social media might not present unbiased information needed to evaluate issues.
Social media seldom reports or comments on contemporary events.
Social media might not present unbiased information needed to evaluate issues.
What is one method of evaluating the credibility of an opinion news article?
(1 point)
Responses
Compare the background of the source with the subject the source is discussing.
Compare the background of the source with the subject the source is discussing.
Determine whether you agree or disagree with the opinion.
Determine whether you agree or disagree with the opinion.
Find out whether all other members of the press agree with the opinion.
Find out whether all other members of the press agree with the opinion.
Identify the opinion as either editorial or op-ed, because op-eds have more credibility.
Compare the background of the source with the subject the source is discussing.
The correct answer is: It is a check on unlimited government power.
Explanation: Freedom of the press was included as a right in both the US Constitution and the Massachusetts Constitution as a means to provide a check on unlimited government power. By granting the press the freedom to report and express opinions without government interference, it ensures that citizens have access to independent and diverse sources of information. This helps to prevent the government from controlling and suppressing the dissemination of information, and allows the press to act as a watchdog, scrutinizing the actions of the government and holding it accountable. Therefore, the inclusion of freedom of the press as a right was intended as a safeguard against the concentration of power and the potential abuse of authority by the government.