The format of network television news programs generally allows advocates of a point of view only 30 seconds to conve...

ScienceMathTutor on January 31, 2022

Because it IS possible for news to discuss nuanced issues....but the problem is the format in which the news is presented only allows for 30 seconds.

Abigail on February 1, 2022

Hello @samirah,

Answer choice C is a tempting answer because it does strengthen the conclusion of the argument that “in contrast to regular newspaper reading, regular watching of network television news programs increases the tendency to think of public issues in oversimplified terms.” However, this is a Strengthen with Necessary Assumption question and so the correct answer need not only strengthen the conclusion, but be necessary for the conclusion to be valid.

Let’s use the Assumption Negation Test on answer choice C. It’s logical negation is: “It IS possible for television to present public issues in a way that allows for the nuanced presentation of diverse views and a good-faith interchange between advocates of opposing views.” Well even if television can possibly present issues in a way that allows for nuanced views, it’s still true that with its current format, it is not presenting them in nuanced ways, and it is still possible for the conclusion that TV causes one to oversimplify public issues to be valid. The key word here is “possible."

I hope this clarifies the issue. Feel free to follow up if you still have questions.