Is society a reflection of the media or is the media a reflection of society?

Question

Is society a reflection of the media or is the media a reflection of society?

Answer 1

Media is, in all forms, a diversion for society.  That is, a diversion from how bad they (society) is being cheated and taken for fools by the people who own the world.

You will never hear, see or read anything in media of value, that truely informs you of important things, or is truthful about the state of affairs in this world.

By in large the "news" and opinion pieces on the air, are operated by gatekeepers who persuade you as well as possible to think and believe great lies. The rest of media, is just a waste of time.

Answer 2

neither. society sometimes let media scare them and maybe even influence them on small things such as what to wear and where to shop. the media, lets take the news for example, only shows what they KNOW will sell. they don't show what life is really like, because lets face it everyday average life is not very interesting hence their papers and ratings would go down the drain.  so they pick and choose the most attention grabbing stories, "child kidnapped by unknown assailant 3 weeks ago still missing" what they forget to show is that that kid's mother who just lost a custody battle is m.i.a as well and 2 weeks later they find them and the child is perfectly fine. another example, "another man shot in the south side, looks like one of many gang related shootings in the last 6 months" the many shootings are really 2 and the first one was yes of a gang member but he was killed by his wife who caught him cheating. the media tries to portray the world as a dangerous place to live because people cant help but watch and read these stories. hence no the media is not a reflection of society or real life.

Answer 3

It works in both directions. Society influences the kind of TV shows and movies that get created, buy watching or buying them. And the media influences society because people imitate the the media they watch.

Answer 4

Both to a large extent, but I would say society influences media more.  If people don't watch/read the media, it'll change to something people do pay attention to.  That's when the media can influence society, when people are watching.

Answer 5

the media tries to reflect society but gives a false projection/perception/portrayal.