9781422272688

CHAPTER

OVERVIEW AND THE HISTORY OF MEDIA BIAS

1

Today, “mass media” refers to any media technology via which organizations or individuals can communicate to large groups of people. Mass media can occur in the form of broadcast media, which encompasses film, radio, television, and music. It can also include digital media, which include e-mail,

social media, entertainment websites, and mobile apps. Mass media serves several purposes today. One purpose is advocacy, which includes marketing and advertising purposes. Media also entertains the public via video games, television shows, and even news-type broadcasts. Media can also be used to convey political ideals or even to disseminate propaganda to sway public opinion and influence political outcomes. The idea of bias in mass media has become an important part of modern conversations about the way society connects with media today. In order to understand media bias, it is important to first understand the history of media and how it has evolved over time.

7