Answer: Media in the present times affect our social, political, economic as well as individual choices.
Explanation: Media is often called as the FOURTH pillar of DEMOCRACY. It actually came into existence for connecting the MASSES to the GOVERNMENTS. Its primary objective was to bridge the gap between the two. However in present times specially with the development of SOCIAL media it influences our socio-economic and political life.
- It determines the POLITICAL preferences of the voters in the modern democracies by building NARRATIVES and PROPAGANDAS.
- It influences our SOCIAL choices by STIGMATIZING certain physical or social characteristics. Example; FAIR being BEAUTIFUL and DARK being UGLY.
- It influences our ECONOMIC choices by IDEALIZING certain LIVING STANDARDS. Example; costly suits and cars determine your worth.
- It even influences our LIVING STAANDARDS and LIFESTYLE by glorifying certain practices and habits. Example; Smoking cigarettes makes you COOL.
There are many aspects of our lives that are directly or indirectly related to media. Media has become the medium through which the masses are being fed what the RULERS want them to consume.