Question

In what way does media affect the social construction of reality?

Answer 1

hmm, i think in too big! media is in hands of 1% of population that already have all the power it can get trough monetary system. so mind controling the rest of population is something that is happening on a daily bases.. People are "convinced" trough media that perpetual consumption based on exploiting of world's resources is something natural and war is something natural too :( that is what it is fed to public trough the media

Answer 2

the media is consciously and subconsciously trusted by the masses since it become almost the sole mirror through which the society judges its progress. The media is therefore an effective and efficient mode of conveying subliminal messages which grow into states of "reality" to the recipient. Media can deliberately alter social states of affair which would take long if left to more natural causes. for instance,rapid changes Tastes and fashions can be largely attributed to the media. Similarly, political, economic, technological and even ecological environments are affected by the media. What is happening in the Arab world now can be attributed to the media. Media affects actions since it leads people to constructing their own conceptions of what is acceptable.

Answer 3

Additionally, many consider the media to be a "4th branch" of the US political system - a rather significant notion if one considers the implications of it being a party promoting the division of power.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_branch_of_government