The term “fake news” is used frequently in today’s media environment. Define the term and discuss some of the factors that led to it becoming a major issue.

What will be an ideal response?


Fake news refers to inaccurate stories and outright lies spread with the intention of drawing readers’ attention and influencing their opinions. Although the phenomenon of fake news is not new, there are several factors that have led to it becoming a major issue for today’s journalists. First, the proliferation of news sources and “infotainment” websites has left readers more confused than ever over which sources to trust, leaving them susceptible to headlines that confirm their worldview even if the premise of the story is false. Click-driven advertising also makes publishers more likely to publish stories that prioritize entertainment and interest elements like conflict, oddity, or immediacy over accuracy. The rise of social media has made it incredibly easy for publishers to circulate fake news stories to a broad audience, particularly when they take advantage of fake social media accounts or online “bots” that can drastically increase the number of “likes” or “retweets” that a story receives.

Communication & Mass Media

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Another name for reader-oriented criticism is reception theory

Indicate whether this statement is true or false.

Communication & Mass Media

What are the abstract sentences, of five to 10 words at the most, which are used to convey a complete thought in a news story?

a) Headlines b) Connectors c) Leads d) Hooks

Communication & Mass Media

"Get universal health care now, or face a future of certain death!" is an example of a ______________

Fill in the blanks with correct word

Communication & Mass Media

Problem-solving groups are

A. High in satisfying control and achievement needs B. Low in satisfying control and achievement needs

Communication & Mass Media