Final answer:
The media limits information seen by the public through gatekeeping and choosing what to report, which shapes our perception of reality. Framing of news stories can influence public opinions, and reliance on government elites for viewpoints limits diverse coverage. Increased media options and selective channel choices also contribute to the homogenization of content.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way that the media limits the information the population sees is through the role of gatekeeping. Media outlets, whether they are broadcast and print, have the power to choose what to report. This selection process directly impacts public perception, shaping what people know and accept as their reality. By choosing not to cover certain issues or events, the media can create a situation where, for the general population, these events effectively do not exist.
Moreover, the way media presents news, including the use of framing, can influence how events are perceived. For instance, a protest could be framed as a riot or as an act of civil resistance, which would affect public opinion. In addition to these practices, the media's reliance on government elites for opinions, especially on foreign policy and domestic issues, limits the breadth of different views and in-depth coverage of public affairs. This cultivation of reality through selective reporting can prime citizens to think in a particular way, altering their reactions to new information.
Despite the diversity of sources available due to the Internet and cable, media consumers often encounter homogenized content from major news outlets or may choose channels that align with their worldview, further limiting the diversity of information received. The saturation of media options can also lead to news fatigue and a decreased audience for important political events and addresses, changing how political figures communicate with the public.