How does media shape the publics agenda of issues?

Media itself is clearly very influential in todays society. It is all around us- adds, T.V, press, and the internet. It would be very easy to believe that the media tells us what to think and what to do. The difference is that instead of the US media telling us what to think, they tell us what to think about, or give us an agenda.

By choosing to focus on specific hot topics or issues, the media can zero in the stream of information the public is getting. If there is zero media coverage for a topic, it is very difficult to attain a significant amount of citizens interest. On the other hand, if there is a large amount of coverage for a certain topic, it will spark a lot of interest and there for change. The media has control over the information they give us, and because most americans rely on the media for our information stream, they can give us nearly everything they wish for us to consider. When you are the source of information, you control what is given.