Broadcasting

Question 1

What does the term ‘broadcast media’ cover?

Answer 1

WAll TV stations, like the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, and regional radio networks like Capital, LBC and regional stations

Question 2

What are all UK broadcasters bound to do by law?

Answer 2

Remain neutral and offer balanced reporting of election and referendum campaigns. This means they can have no intentional influence on voting behaviour

Question 3

What has the BBC been accused of?

Answer 3

A left wing or liberal bias, but this has never been substantiated

Question 4

Why is it good that there is a legal requirement for broadcasters to remain neutral?

Answer 4

Research suggests that TV and radio remain the main sources of information for citizens during an election campaign

Question 5

Who oversees the scrupulous conditions leadership debates are held under?

Answer 5

The Electoral Comission

Question 6

Why can the case be made that leadership debates are not that important?

Answer 6

Because even Nick Clegg’s spectacular performance in 2010 led to a decrease in the popular vote for the Lib Dems compared to the previous general election

Question 7

What can we assert about the influence of broadcasting?

Answer 7

Parties use TV and radio as an important method of getting their messages across, but they do not expect to gain any special advantage from it