The media are a powerful tool in the hands of everyone - from politicians to political strategists. It is no secret that it is the media that shape public opinion on certain events. Disputes that the media allegedly do not have a special effect on the thoughts and feelings of people are groundless, because the media include not only television and print, but also the Internet so popular today, where many draw information.
The term "public opinion" means a whole set of different judgments, as well as assessments of the situation and certain actions of certain official and unofficial persons. Moreover, such views can easily be influenced from outside. This can be seen in the examples of information wars that regularly develop in the world.
The main attention of the public is usually focused on a number of institutions that form public opinion - this is the state, church, etc. The media usually refers to the fourth power, and this is no accident. This situation is connected with the fact that the media are quite capable of competing for popularity with them.
The media has a certain focus on minds. And this is due to their massiveness, as well as the fact that they regularly attract experts to confirm this or that point of view. True, watching news stories or reading analytics, few think about which side of the dispute the experts support. After all, there are no absolutely impartial people. As a result, a person begins to form a certain point of view, confirmed by scientific data, statistics and other reliable sources. But in any case, it will not be neutral.
Using competently the influence of the media on the minds of mankind, one can carry out entire PR-companies that will be quite successful. History knows cases when, against the background of propaganda and advertising of one person, country, etc. there was a complete rethinking of information, fraternal wars began, etc.
The formation of public opinion also depends on how the event is presented to society. For example, if a journalist who deserves respect and has long proved his competence does it, they will heed his words. But serious words and facts voiced from the lips of a person who often flickers on the screen, but there is no trust in him, will simply not be heard.
The fashion for certain media also makes adjustments to the formation of public opinion. So, for example, 20 years ago television was considered a fashionable source, the words of the speakers were trusted more than the printed word. Now the TV has gone out of trust, and it has been replaced by the Internet. Indeed, on the network you can watch videos, read articles, and reviews, as well as get acquainted with analytics.
Today, the influence of the media on the minds of society has been proven and is actively used by specialists in neuro-linguistic programming. They select a picture, text and sound so that all this is most consistent with their goals. As a result, a person unconsciously begins to succumb to this effect and creates in his head a particular picture of the world and the development of events.
