The media continues to distort the stories people wish to hear, and there seems to be no outlet for those who remain silenced. Constantly, news channels, social media networks, radio stations, the Internet, and other modes of communication relay an abundance of information that swerves the general population in a certain direction. Within seconds, coverage on a recent terrorist attack in France or statistics on the United States’s presidential campaign can be accessed by the majority of the population. The steady growth and availability of such information to the public has mostly positively influenced the way people think, act, and communicate. However, the sudden surge of impact that the media has gained over the decades has also proven to stimulate tension, sway opinions, and provide misguided interpretations.

Just recently, debates over biased media coverage on the presidential campaign were released. Experts shined a light on the basic facts concerning the media’s integral role in the entire race and the amount of influence it had on the general population’s opinions about the candidates. It was noted that journalists spent more time condemning the Republican candidates than those of Democratic affiliation. Furthermore, many reporters spent extended time praising the speakers at the Democratic convention, while those that presented at the Republican convention were degraded by most news stations. It should also be recognized that the media expressed political opinions throughout most of the process, as many major news channels, such as CNN, focused on Hillary Clinton in comparison to Bernie Sanders. Cenk Uygur, the host of online news show "The Young Turks", asserted that the media does not accurately depict facts and places too much emphasis on super delegates ahead of the remaining primaries and the convention. “I mean CNN and all of the establishment press totally tilted the playing field from day one,” he said.

Communication platforms have not only proven to affect the political mindset of the majority but have also sparked several significant social conflicts. Whether is is through the use of a “hashtag” or the release of a news story that shows live footage of a current protest, the media has transformed the methods for raising awareness and provoking social change. Many claim that such communication tools have enabled people to initiate quicker and more efficient modes of enticing change. However, the tension and stress released via online outlets have reflected both the dangers and disadvantages of social media platforms and other networking sites. Frequently, “hashtags” created to promote a certain event or cause have paved the pathway to heated discussions concerning the intent and purpose of the movement. For example, just a few weeks ago, the Internet became the hotspot for many Black Lives Matter supporters. Active members quickly began to post and implement certain posts to propel their cause further. However, soon enough, many people came to the conclusion that the cause further encouraged discrimination and inequality. Therefore, the All Lives Matter movement was introduced, which only led to heightened tension between the members of each group. Simply, although communication tools can be utilized to achieve positive results, many can also inflict greater harm and inspire a new level of confusion or anger.

So, what can we do to avoid being swayed by the media? As a member of our current society, it is highly significant that people actively attempt to remain knowledgeable about the various perspectives involved in any situation, and indulge themselves in the beauty of research and open-mindedness.