Question 1: Explain what is meant by the term 'news selection' in the context of media.

Answer: News selection refers to the process by which media outlets decide which events or stories to report and emphasize, influenced by various factors such as audience interest, relevance, and editorial policies.

Question 2: Identify two factors that might influence a news outlet to choose certain stories over others.

Answer: Factors include audience preferences and political bias of the media organization.

Question 3: Describe how the importance of a story is determined by the media.

Answer: The importance of a story is often determined by its relevance to the audience, the level of public interest, and whether it fits the media outlet’s agenda or priorities.

Question 4: Discuss one way that commercial interests might influence news selection.

Answer: Commercial interests might lead media outlets to prioritize stories that attract the most viewers or readers, such as sensational or celebrity news, to increase advertising revenue.

Question 5: Imagine you are a news editor. List three criteria you would use to decide whether a story should be reported.

Answer: Relevance to the audience, potential impact or importance of the story, and availability of credible information.

Question 6: Describe a scenario where political bias could influence the news stories that are presented.

Answer: If a media outlet supports a particular political party, it might choose to highlight stories that favor that party and downplay or ignore stories that criticize it.

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram to show the process of news selection. Include at least three stages or factors involved.

Answer: A correct diagram would depict stages such as 'Event occurs', 'Media organization assesses relevance', 'Selection based on factors like audience interest, bias, and commercial gain', leading to 'Story published'.

Question 8: Sketch a diagram illustrating how different factors (such as audience interest, political bias, and commercial interests) can influence news selection.

Answer: A diagram with a central box labeled 'News Selection' connected by arrows to boxes labeled 'Audience Interest', 'Political Bias', and 'Commercial Interests', showing their influence on the decision.

Question 9: Why might some stories be excluded from news coverage even if they are important? Provide two reasons.

Answer: Stories might be excluded due to lack of relevance to the target audience or because they do not fit the media outlet's political stance or commercial goals.

Question 10: Reflect on how social media might change the traditional process of news selection.

Answer: Social media allows users to share and promote stories, which can influence what news outlets choose to report, and often highlights stories based on popularity rather than traditional editorial judgment.