The media's function of deciding which topics deserve national attention is best described as the:

• A. Watchdog
• B. Scorekeeper
• C. Public Affairs
• D. Gatekeeper/Agenda Setter

Answer: (D)

The media acts as a gatekeeper and agenda setter when it comes to national topics. Gatekeeping is the process of selecting which events and stories are shown to the public, filtering out others and shaping what people think is newsworthy. At the same time, agenda setting describes how the media emphasizes certain issues, influencing what the public and policymakers consider important. Together, these roles explain why the media’s choice of topics determines what earns national attention and what doesn’t.

Other terms describe different functions: a watchdog focuses on investigating government and exposing wrongdoing, not specifically on topic selection; a scorekeeper tracks public opinion or how candidates are faring in polls; public affairs is a broader field of communication with the public rather than a specific media function. So the best description for how the media decides which topics deserve national attention is Gatekeeper/Agenda Setter.