The Role of Media Activity Assignment
Instructions: Match each example with the role it illustrates. One role does not have an example.

Media as watchdog
Media as a business
Media as gatekeeper
Media as entertainment
Media as biased
Media as agenda-setter

_____1. The media begins reporting about a disgusting looking ingredient found in many common foods. Soon everyone is talking about the ingredient. People begin signing petitions, and soon there is a major movement to convince the government to outlaw the ingredient.

_____2. Two hundred people rally in the street to protest a city’s decision to cut bus transportation. Instead of covering that event, the evening news runs a story about the mayor’s plan to build a new park.

_____3. A politician accepts expensive gifts from a campaign supporter. Two television networks run hour-long exposés about the politician’s bad behavior. The politician returns the gifts and resigns from office.