How did the "new media" affect american life?

Concerns about the effects of media on consumers and the existence and extent of media bias go back to the 1920s. Reporter and commentator Walter Lippmann noted that citizens have limited personal experience with government and the world and posited that the media, through their stories, place ideas in citizens’ minds. These ideas become part of the citizens’ frame of reference and affect their decisions. Lippmann’s statements led to the hypodermic theory, which argues that information is “shot” into the receiver’s mind and readily accepted.

The mass media has made the world a much smaller place. As technology advanced, information about other countries is much easier to obtain. Additionally, the mass media has demonstrated its power in swaying people's emotions in taking specific positions on social issues.