Describe how the sources of Americans’ political news have changed during the 21st century. Use examples to explain or describe what these changes mean in today’s political and social environment.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

As technology has improved the ability to quickly communicate information around the world through Internet and social media, several important changes have occurred. First is the rise in citizen reporters who, with the help of a cell phone and a social media site or Internet blog, can record and transmit news faster than most traditional news media sources. But with this power comes the problem of a lack of vetting and fact checking. Stories can now be broadcast faster than military, police, or political agencies can acquire and act on the information. One such example is the rise of military blogs or milblogs, which circumvent the traditional time lag and censorship efforts of military agencies. Information may be spread quickly, but it can also be spread inaccurately or in a way that sacrifices or endangers the lives of military personnel and operations.
[STUDENT ANSWERS MAY VARY, BUT THEIR ANSWER SHOULD FOCUS ON THE RISE IN INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA SOURCES, THE USE OF CITIZEN REPORTERS, AND THE DANGERS WHEN INFORMATION IS NOT FACT-CHECKED OR VETTED PROPERLY.]