Which statement best captures Chesney's concept of News as Entertainment?

Which statement best captures Chesney's concept of News as Entertainment?

• A. The news agenda prioritizes public service above profits
• B. The news agenda is sensationalized for profit and audience share
• C. News should always be neutral and objective
• D. Gatekeeping determines all editorial choices

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is that news is produced as entertainment because of commercial incentives—it's treated as a product aimed at capturing audience attention and profits, not just delivering information. The best choice captures this by saying the news agenda is sensationalized for profit and audience share. It directly links sensationalism and content choices to audience metrics and money, which is the core claim of News as Entertainment: the need to attract viewers and advertisers shapes how news is presented. Other options miss that economic and entertaining emphasis. Saying public service comes above profits suggests a motive driven by public interest rather than market incentives. Claiming news should always be neutral and objective describes an ideal rather than how news is actually framed in many media systems focused on entertainment value. Gatekeeping describes who decides what to cover, not the broader profit-driven, entertainment-focused motivation behind those choices.

The main idea being tested is that news is produced as entertainment because of commercial incentives—it's treated as a product aimed at capturing audience attention and profits, not just delivering information.

The best choice captures this by saying the news agenda is sensationalized for profit and audience share. It directly links sensationalism and content choices to audience metrics and money, which is the core claim of News as Entertainment: the need to attract viewers and advertisers shapes how news is presented.

Other options miss that economic and entertaining emphasis. Saying public service comes above profits suggests a motive driven by public interest rather than market incentives. Claiming news should always be neutral and objective describes an ideal rather than how news is actually framed in many media systems focused on entertainment value. Gatekeeping describes who decides what to cover, not the broader profit-driven, entertainment-focused motivation behind those choices.