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How the news media works commonlit answers
How the news media works commonlit answers
Final answer:News media functions as a linkage institution and is sometimes termed the 'fifth branch of government' due to its significant role in information dissemination and its influence on political processes. Legitimate journalism seeks to accurately report information, but media literacy is essential to differentiate between accurate and manipulative content. Recognizing framing, bias, and types of reporting are crucial skills.Explanation:Understanding how news media works is a critical component of being an informed citizen. News media serves as a linkage institution, playing a vital role in the flow of information between the government and the public. One of the ways news media is involved in the political process is by functioning as the 'fifth branch of government' due to its influence and its role in agenda setting, which can shape public perception and policy priorities.True journalists at legitimate news organizations work to gather information through interviews, beats, and investigative reporting with the goal of presenting accurate stories to the public. In some countries, however, the media is used as a tool by the state to control information. Thefounding fathersof the United States recognized freedom of speech and press as essential, acknowledging the media's potential to act as watchdogs or even attack dogs over governmental actions and as a defense against corruption and misuse of power.Media literacy and the ability to discern between factual reporting andfake newsare important skills. This includes understanding mediaframingand recognizing sources of bias in reporting. Knowing the different types of reporting—beats, sources, investigative, and explanatory—is also crucial. Studying these processes and effects helps individuals fight misinformation and engage critically with the content they consume....