Chapter 1
1. To explore how the press performs its five core functions in a democracy, examine a local or national
media outlet (newspaper, website, newscast, etc.) and find at least one example of content that
illustrates each of the functions (Informs, analyzes, interprets and explains; Investigates; Creates a public
2. Although the functions played by the press in a democracy are not dependent on delivery format, a
specific medium might be better suited for one function or another. Split up into different groups in
your class according to medium (print, broadcast, online/digital). Each group should examine the
3. Watch Associated Press officials talk about “accountability journalism” and the watchdog role of the
press (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxf90TXThY8). How does this differ from the type of
journalism that we see on a day-to-day basis? Show a clip of the first five minutes from a recent local
newscast. Would any of that be “accountability journalism”? Why might local news stations and local
newspapers be limited in playing this role? Next, to provide an example of how smaller news
4. In an era of digital delivery of information and social networks, where everyone is a publisher and
average citizens can attract tens of thousands of followers on Twitter, does American democracy need
journalists to provide information dissemination, accountability, representation, deliberation and
conflict resolution? Some could argue that the role of traditional journalists in fulfilling these needs has
5. To learn more about journalism history, read the article “Early American Newspapering” from
history.org (http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/spring03/journalism.cfm). How does the
historical context relate to the roles the founders expected journalism to plan in their new form of
government? Using the information in the chapter about the functions of journalism in our society and