Abstract
This paper takes an in-depth look at who and what manipulates the American media, and why. The paper discusses the impact this media has on the American public and their consciousness, and how it ultimately effects their lives and society as a whole. The paper also studies various writings related to this topic.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of Study
Importance of Study
Overview of Study
Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature
Chapter 3: Methodology
Description of the Study Approach
Data-gathering Method and Database of Study
Chapter 4: Data Analysis
Chapter 5: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations

From the Paper
"Further, the majority of the power to define reality, in this view of the news process, resides at the point of the reporter-source contact. By the time the story makes its way to the editor, the most important gatekeeping decisions have already been made. The factors that serve to constrain or, conversely, facilitate reporter interaction with some sources and events and not others are important for understanding news content (Rotberg & Weiss, 1966). In this environment, gatekeepers have played an increasingly important role in the West. "Due to widespread uncertainty over the precise ingredients of a best-seller formula," write Rossman and Suman, "administrators are forced to trust the professional judgment of their employees. Close supervision in the production sector is impeded by ignorance of relations between cause and effect" (2000, p. 72).
The concept of "agenda setting" took its name from the concept that the mass media have the ability to transfer the importance and relevance of items on their news agendas to the public agenda (Bryant & Zillman, 1994). The concept was originally investigated in the traditional context of mass communication and voter behavior; however, it is being increasingly applied to other social and political events as well. For instance, "Through their routine structuring of social and political reality, the news media influence the agenda of public issues around which political campaigns and voter decisions are organized" (Bryant & Zillman, 1994 p. 4). This impact is felt every day as journalists throughout the world deal with the news in several important ways, which are discussed further below."

Tags:brainwash, control, environment, authority, mainstream, techniques, politics, politicians, gatekeepers, control

Abstract
The writer of this paper details the symptoms as well as the media's contribution to body dysmorphic disorder, also known as distorted body image. Body dysmorphic disorder has become a tremendous problem in today's society due to the barrage of negative messages sent to women by the media. This paper discusses the effect of the media, in all its forms - television, radio, print advertising, internet, etc., which has an enormous influence on what people deem as attractive in today's society. The unnecessary emphasis the media places on appearance tends to adversely affect the mental and physical health of those it comes in contact with. Body dysmorphic disorder can lead to damaged self-esteem, depression, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. This paper details the manner in which advertisers place heavy emphasis on physical appearance as a means of selling products. Too often in doing so, unnecessary pressure is placed on women to conform to unrealistic and oftentimes, unhealthy standards of beauty.

From the Paper
"Women want someone they can relate to. The Body Shop, a supplier of natural beauty products, offered a much-needed change from the typical message provided by advertisers; "There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels, and only eight who do. The Australian magazine New Woman included a picture of a heavy-set model on its cover recently. This action produced a lot of positive comments from the magazine's female readers. Despite this fact, advertisers threatened to pull their sponsorship. This shows that advertisers know what they are doing when they include a woman whose body is unattainable to society at large."

Tags:body, disorder, dysmorphic, image, media, women, anorexia, marketing, advertising, media, bulimia

Abstract
This paper looks into stereotypes, biases, and prejudices on television and in other media sources. The author looks at how television has changed over the past decade, and its impact on society, especially children.

From the Paper
"In today's ever diversifying society one detrimental problem that remains is that of stereotypes and biases. Do the people in our country need to see more negative portrayals than they already are? Within certain types of media, minorities and women are often times portrayed negatively. Within this research paper, two television shows will be analyzed in terms of age, race, gender, target audiences, socioeconomic differences, stereotypes and biases, clothing and presentation, and the role of characters. Aside from the characters in the television shows, products being advertised will also be evaluated. Often times an advertising company will choose a target audience and present the goods in a specific style, meaning the company will choose different age brackets, background voices, and special effects. Most importantly, the effect these shows have on children will be discussed. Children look at television characters as role models, and this research paper will test these programs to see if integrity and proper moral standards are displayed."

Tags:media, t.v., violence, bias, steroetype, prejudice, racism

Abstract
This research attempts to examine the extent to which the media influences the lives of adolescents. The author attempts to investigate how the media impacts the socialization of the youth culture and whether the media is so powerful that it has come to replace other socialization agents such as the family, school and peers. The author examines the way socialization agents impact stages of development and how each contribute to another aspect of the individual's forming personality and attitudes. The author makes use of various sociological theories for supporting evidence.

Table of Contents:

Chapters

1.0 Statement of Research Problem

1.1 Research Problem 2

2.0 Introduction to Theoretical Perspectives

and Review of Literature 3

2.1 Introduction to the Media as an Agent of Socialization 3

2.2 Getting to Know the 3

2.3 The 4

2.4 How the Media Socializes 5

2.5 Media as an Industry 5

2.6 Development of Gender Roles

and Consciousness of Achieved Status 6

2.7 Global Impact vs. Role in North American Society 7

2.8 Pros and Cons of Media Dominance 7

2.9 Independent and Dependant Variables 8

2.10 The Test 8

2.11 The Respondents 9

2.12 The Choice of a Questionnaire 9

2.13 Possible 9

2.14 Validity of Respondents 10

2.15 Questionnaire Distribution 10

2.16 Questions to Answers 11

2.17 Conclusion to Theoretical Perspectives

and Review of Literature 11

3.0 Administration Overview 12

3.1 Time Schedule 12

3.2 Budget 12

3.3 Ethical Issues 13

4.0 Measurement Overview 13

4.1 Existing research 14

5.0 Analysis Overview 14

6.0 Implications 14

6.1 Practical Applications 15

Figure #1 The Questionnaire 16

References 18

From the Paper
"There is a problem in Canada that youth are unaware of the significance of the media and its influence on their day-to-day lives. The main questions that will be investigated in the research and hopefully answered if not fully understood by the end of the study would be as follows: How important is the media in the socialization of Canadian popular cultured youth? Is the media the most influential agent of socialization in a teenager's life? Has the media replaced the family, school and peers for being the centre of acquired knowledge for youth? Existing sociological theory suggest we have varying agents of socialization that have different effects on us at different stages of our development and life course. Agents of Socialization are people, groups or institutions that teach people what they need to know in order to participate in society. During the elementary years of school peers are the most important influence. A peer group is a group of people who are linked by common interest, equal social position, and similar age categories. Even as adults we are still influenced by our peers. In this study it will be discussed that the media because of its worldwide accessibility has become a great contributor to socialization than the peer group between the ages of 15-18. The stage of development, which will be conveyed, is called anticipatory socialization (to be discussed in further detail in the theoretical discussion section). This influence at the ages of 15-18, which is referred to, as adolescence will carry on for the future generations as a vital agent of socialization through, out their adult lives."

Tags:agents, candian, culture, film, music, pop, popular, socialization, sociology, television

Abstract
This paper analyzes the predictions and views of media guru Marshall McLuhan, who argued that all forms of media exert a compelling influence on humanity and society and not necessarily for the benefit of man. In one of his more well-known books, "The Medium is the Massage," McLuhan contends that people consume both medium and message as a total experience. The writer of this paper details the rapidly advancing technologies of the 21st century while examining their impact on humanity and society. This paper discusses the views of McLuhan, one of the founders of media ecology, who voiced his concerns that the media, especially television, brought the brutalities of war into our living rooms, while making the viewer numb to the negative happenings of the world. The author had many strong opinions regarding modern forms of media and communication, such as the telephone. McLuhan was concerned that phones made it possible for people to talk with one another without actually being together. This paper also delves into the various predictions and concerns McLuhan had regarding the emergence of electronic media, in which the author often stated that man's dependence on electronic forms of media would eventually spell the end of humanity as it it now known.

From the Paper
"Of more concern, technology continues to expand the gap between the haves and have-nots. According to the International Telecommunication Union, 90 percent of Internet users come from industrialized countries and only 25 percent of people in developing countries have Internet access. A computer in Bangladesh costs eight years the country's annual salary. Similarly, in the United States, for example, technology, especially the Internet, is a class issue. Compare the number of the technology budget and wired PCs and laptops in the suburbs to that of the inner-cities and other poorer areas of the country. Information is power, and the power is located in similar pockets as the money."

Tags:media, society, technology, computers, internet, literature, communication

Abstract
This paper discusses how the media whether it is books, the Internet, magazines, movies, music, newspapers, radio, television, or some other form, has tremendous power to impact both individuals and society as a whole, both negatively and positively. It reviews how the media promotes or curbs violence in numerous ways, both explicitly and implicitly and how it continues to seek to define, expand and modify the line between "art" and "offensiveness" when it comes to rap lyrics, movies, and other forms of expression that commonly include explicit and violent lyrics. It concludes with recommendations for balancing the relationship between the media's need for freedom of expression and society's desire for less violence.

From the Paper
"While the media arguably condones and promotes violence and sexual behavior, it also curbs (or attempts to) violence in many ways. First, the media has continued to issue and abide by "parental warnings" for movies, music, video games, and television shows. Shows that contain events that individuals are likely to simulate (i.e., "Jackass" and "WWF Smackdown") have warnings before they air stating that individuals should not attempt to duplicate these stunts at home as they are highly dangerous. Next, the media has aired and publicize numerous public service announcements regarding drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, and violence and ways individuals may act in order to prevent becoming a victim of violence. "

Tags:society, expression, sexual, behavior, individuals, impact

Abstract
This paper presents an in-depth examination of the controversy surrounding judicial discretion in relation to the media. The paper examines this long standing debate, which involves such issues as judges allowing media in the courtroom. Additionally, it shows the consequences of this decision, such as how it can impact the defendant's lives. Other factors with regard to judges and the media are explored, both positive and negative. The paper concludes by stating that when one person has the ultimate authority to adversely impact anyone in society simply because he or she chooses to do so, that person has gained too much control over his or her community.

From the Paper
"The issue of judicial discretion in relation to the media has long been a source of debate. Judges that have the power to allow media in the courtroom also have the power of impacting society, defendant's lives and the manner in which society views the judicial system. These factors are both positive and negative elements in regard to the issue; however, they also lead to one critical conclusion. That is that when one person has the ultimate authority to adversely impact anyone in society simply because he or she chooses to do so, that person has gained too much control over his or her community. This is because the determining factor in the decision..."

Tags:judges, media, discretion

Abstract
This paper presents a review and evaluation of Ben Bagdikian's "The Media Monopoly". It looks at major themes and ideas and the dangers implicit in the control of all media by six corporations. The paper highlights the impact on a democratic society and the key role of advertising.

From the Paper
"One of the most important books on the subject of the mass media-or more specifically what's wrong with the media-is Ben Bagdikian's The Media Monopoly first published ..."

Tags:Media, Monopoly, Bagdikian, Corporate, Society, Democracy, Advertising

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that the issue of judicial discretion in relation to the media has long been a source of debate. The writer points out that judges that have the power to allow media in the courtroom also have the power of impacting society, defendants' lives and the manner in which society views the judicial system. These factors are both positive and negative elements in regard to the issue; however, they also lead to one critical conclusion. The writer maintains that when one person has the ultimate authority to adversely impact anyone in society simply because he or she chooses to do so, that person has gained too much control over his or her community. This is because the determining factor in the decision is not weighed by law, nor is it guided by measured personal ethical standards - it is simply made based on an individual opinion. The writer argues that in the United States personal opinions may be allowed, but at no time should they be supported in arbitrarily harming others.

From the Paper
"Pattenden suggests, however, the when judges have the discretion of allowing media into the courtroom for reporting or television coverage there is a risk that may be too significant to overlook. This risk is that through the media coverage the defendant may be condemned before the trial is ever concluded. This is because the media has the ability not only to broadcast images to the public of the trial, but to create commentary on the proceedings as well. That commentary may not ultimately have an affect on the verdict, but it may lead to the public's determination of guilt or innocence of a person. Regardless of the verdict, therefore, that person may be subject to public scrutiny long after the trial has ended, and despite the innocence that has been determined by the jury. When the judge has the sole power to determine whether or not the media should be allowed in a trial that judge is then creating a situation for a secondary trial to exist between the defendant and the public. And it is a trial that may never end."

Tags:judicial, system, courtroom, trial

Abstract
This paper explains that, when presenting material about science and technology, mass media (1) treats its audience as if they were elementary school children so that science still retained its 'sacred status', (2) judiciously ignores the social, cultural and political factors of the world in which the 'great discovery' was made and (3) avoids any reference to what made the individual scientist and individual. The author includes in the paper the growing impact of the internet as mass media on society today and points out that this information technology is rapidly evolving into a continuous spectrum of tools and methods for the creation, delivery and presentation of information on a personal basis. The paper concludes that what has separated man from other animals has been neither his ability to communicate nor his ability to use tools but his ability to use tools to communicate in a cultural context.

From the Paper
"Given that science is difficult to separate from scientism, Gardner and Young conclude in their article, they would like to see the domain of science opened up in three ways. First they would like to know what forces evoke the questions, frameworks and specific priorities of science. How does man frame the manifold of nature in the ways he does? For them this could include questions as to why biology uses its taxonomy structure to who paid for the grant for the project.
Second they would like to see discussion of the labor process of the production of science, technology and medicine. What is the social or managerial process behind the production of knowledge and research?"

Tags:scientism, tools, cultural, personal, dissociation