BSJ Digital Media and Online Journalism 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does SEO stand for in the context of online journalism?
- Social Engagement Output
- Search Engine Optimization (Correct answer)
- Story Editorial Overview
- Syndicated Editorial Operations
Correct answer: Search Engine Optimization
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) refers to techniques used to improve a webpage's visibility and ranking in search engine results.
Question 2: What is a 'hyperlink' and why is it important in online journalism?
- An embedded video player for news stories
- A clickable text or image that connects readers to related content or sources (Correct answer)
- A form of digital advertising embedded in articles
- A type of audio player used in multimedia packages
Correct answer: A clickable text or image that connects readers to related content or sources
Hyperlinks allow journalists to connect readers to source documents, related stories, and supporting evidence, increasing transparency and depth.
Question 3: What does 'engagement rate' measure on a digital news platform?
- The number of journalists employed by an outlet
- How actively readers interact with content through clicks, shares, and comments (Correct answer)
- The speed at which a news site loads
- The ratio of ads to editorial content
Correct answer: How actively readers interact with content through clicks, shares, and comments
Engagement rate measures the degree of reader interaction with content, including page views, shares, comments, and time spent on page.
Question 4: What is 'native advertising' in digital journalism?
- Advertising sold only to local businesses
- Paid content designed to match the editorial look and feel of a news site (Correct answer)
- Banner ads displayed alongside news articles
- Classified listings embedded in sports sections
Correct answer: Paid content designed to match the editorial look and feel of a news site
Native advertising is paid promotional content formatted to resemble editorial content, which raises transparency and labeling concerns.
Question 5: What is a CMS in online journalism?
- Chief Media Strategist
- Content Management System (Correct answer)
- Copy Markup Standard
- Circulation Metrics Summary
Correct answer: Content Management System
A Content Management System (CMS) is software used to create, edit, publish, and manage digital content on news websites.
Question 6: What is 'clickbait' and why is it criticized in journalism?
- An interactive quiz embedded in a news story
- Sensational or misleading headlines designed to maximize clicks over accuracy (Correct answer)
- A technique to link related articles within a story
- Sponsored content clearly labeled as advertising
Correct answer: Sensational or misleading headlines designed to maximize clicks over accuracy
Clickbait uses exaggerated or misleading headlines to attract clicks, prioritizing traffic over accuracy and undermining journalistic credibility.
What does SEO stand for in the context of online journalism?