Meaning: 'Influenced' means to have an effect on someone or something, indicating that the news is shaped by the perspectives of those involved in its creation.

Wrong options:

• agreed: 'Agreed' implies consensus or acceptance, which does not fit the context of how news is shaped by external factors.
• judged: 'Judged' suggests evaluation or assessment, which is not the intended meaning in this context as it does not convey the idea of external impact on news.
• fixed: 'Fixed' implies something that is set or unchangeable, which contradicts the dynamic nature of how news can be affected by various influences.

Correct answer: deliberate

Explanation: The term 'deliberate' is appropriate as it indicates intentionality behind the bias, fitting grammatically and contextually within the sentence. It suggests that not all bias occurs by chance, which aligns with the discussion of bias in journalism.

Meaning: 'Deliberate' means done consciously and intentionally, highlighting that some biases are purposefully introduced into news stories.

Wrong options:

• considered: 'Considered' implies careful thought or reflection, which does not convey the intentional aspect of bias as effectively as 'deliberate.'
• accidental: 'Accidental' suggests something that happens by chance, which contradicts the idea that some biases are intentional.
• balanced: 'Balanced' indicates fairness or impartiality, which is the opposite of bias and does not fit the context of discussing the nature of bias in news.

Correct answer: are selected

Explanation: The phrase 'are selected' is in the present passive voice, which is grammatically correct in this context as it describes an ongoing action regarding the selection of events for news coverage. It aligns with the overall discussion of bias in news reporting.

Meaning: 'Are selected' means that events are chosen for inclusion or exclusion in news stories, emphasizing the active role of journalists in shaping narratives.

Wrong options:

• being selected: 'Being selected' is a gerund phrase that does not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence, which requires a simple present passive form.
• have selected: 'Have selected' is in the present perfect tense, which does not match the ongoing nature of the selection process described in the sentence.
• selected: 'Selected' is a past participle that lacks the necessary auxiliary verb to indicate the passive voice, making it grammatically incorrect in this context.

Correct answer: placement

Explanation: The word 'placement' fits well as it refers to the positioning of the article within the newspaper, which is significant in the context of bias. It is a noun that aligns grammatically and contextually with the discussion of how articles are presented to readers.

Meaning: 'Placement' refers to the location of an article in a publication, which can influence how it is perceived by readers.

Wrong options:

• space: 'Space' is a more general term that does not specifically refer to the positioning of an article, making it less precise in this context.
• area: 'Area' is too vague and does not convey the specific concept of where an article is located within the publication.
• size: 'Size' refers to the dimensions of the article rather than its position, which does not align with the focus on how placement affects perception.