Final answer:
The media shapes perceptions of athletes through framing, influencing opinions, and socializing audiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of athletes by framing information, influencing opinions, and socializing audiences. Through agenda-setting, the media chooses what to cover and how to present it, which can shape how people think, act, and vote. The media's portrayal of race and its framing of issues can also influence public opinion. Additionally, the media serves as a gatekeeper of information, although its power has diminished with the rise of the Internet and social media.