Final answer:
The control of information creates power because gatekeepers determine what information is disseminated to the public, shaping perceptions and behaviors. Despite new media allowing for more democratic information sharing, traditional gatekeeping remains a form of influence and control in society.
Step-by-step explanation:
The control of information creates power because others depend on the gatekeepers for that resource. Gatekeepers exercise control over the dissemination of information, shaping what form and content reach the public. According to Shoemaker and Vos (2009), gatekeeping is the process of sorting through many possible messages, forming them into a mass media-appropriate version, and narrowing them down to a manageable amount. This gatekeeping function allows certain individuals or institutions to influence perceptions and behaviors by determining what information is shared and how it's presented.
Furthermore, as C. Wright Mills (1956) observed, controlling the media is at the heart of its power. Media outlets, by acting as gatekeepers, once had significant influence over which issues and events came to the public’s attention. Nowadays, with the emergence of new media, traditional gatekeeping is being challenged. These platforms allow for more democratic information sharing and self-policing by users.
Nevertheless, control over media and the corresponding information still represents significant power, as it can shape societal norms and influence what people believe and how they perceive reality.