Question

one way the media informs citizens is by acting as an independent watchdog. like a guard dog, the media monitors the government and other powerful organizations and sounds an alarm when it detects suspicious activities. because the medias watchful eye is so important, the u.s. constitution protects the freedom of the press, which means the government cannot control what the media publishes. which descriptions are examples of the media acting as a watchdog? select all that apply. in 1972, the associated press revealed that the u.s. public health service was conducting unethical medical experimentation on african american men. this reporting helped lead to significant changes in medical research ethics. in 2020, cbs news reporters traveling with senator elizabeth warrens presidential campaign broadcast coverage of warren announcing her withdrawal from the presidential race and her desire to support the front - runner in her party. in 2015, the detroit free press and other outlets investigated and exposed government failures that resulted in lead contamination in the water supply of flint, michigan. these reports forced officials to acknowledge and address the true extent of the crisis. in 2001, fortune magazine and other publications uncovered accounting fraud at enron corporation. enron was forced to declare bankruptcy, and the government imposed harsh penalties for altering or destroying financial records.

Explanation:

The first example shows the media revealing unethical actions (medical experimentation) by a powerful organization (U.S. Public Health Service). The third example has the media exposing government failures (lead contamination in Flint). The fourth example involves the media uncovering corporate fraud (at Enron). These all fit the watchdog role of monitoring and sounding the alarm about suspicious activities. The second example is just reporting a campaign event (Senator Warren's withdrawal) which is more of regular news coverage rather than watchdog - like monitoring of suspicious or improper activities.

Answer:

The first, third, and fourth descriptions are examples of the media acting as a watchdog.