Final answer:
Media perpetuate stereotypes by presenting false images and biased narratives that become accepted as reality, which distorts public perception of groups and societal issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Media create stereotypes when they create false images of subordinate groups that then become accepted as accurate portrayals of reality. This practice happens due to a variety of mechanisms, such as agenda-setting, which dictates what is newsworthy and influences public perception, and framing, which shapes how stories are presented and understood by audiences. Media bias and the influence of advertisers further compound the problem by fostering narratives that sustain existing power structures and present a skewed view of societal issues like race and poverty. For example, when media overrepresent certain demographics as perpetrators of crime or as overwhelmingly poor, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to a skewed public understanding of these social issues.