The Media

The media is the primary source of political information for most people, so it plays a crucial role in democracy.

McLuhan’s comment refers to the fact that the way a message is transmitted affects how the message is received. Television, for example, is a visual medium, so viewers are most likely to be affected by images. Print media tends to provide more facts and details than television.

Media consolidation is the trend toward fewer corporations owning most media outlets. Some people worry that media consolidation will limit choices, bias news coverage, and make the country more homogeneous.