1.  Define the following as used in the article:
-biased (1)
-parity (2)
-paradoxically (3)
-disengaged (3)

2.  Define liberal vs. conservative ideology.  (For an explanation, go to studentnewsdaily.com/other/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs.)

3.  Who are the three target audiences for news described in paragraph 2?

4.  How do normal people get their news?  Why is this group so important to the outcome of major elections?

5.  The mainstream media includes: CBS/NBC/ABC and all major newspapers.
The new media includes internet news and opinion websites, and talk radio (and cable news, though this is gradually being considered more mainstream as more people get cable)
How do you get your news?

6.  For each of the following from the article, write whether you agree or disagree with the statement.  Explain your answers.

_______________ "Conservatives don't have a level playing field because our country suffers from a liberally biased news media."

_______________ "The target audience - people who swing elections and influence policy because of their answers to public opinion polls - is reached through the mainstream media."

_______________ "...the mainstream media reaches the audience that drives policy and swings elections, while the new media is preaching to the choir."

_______________ "Liberal bias in the mainstream media is a huge problem in this country...Those who stay at the surface level of thinking dismiss media bias as a non-issue."