Mass media can be defined as any means of communication that is intended for vast numbers of people, including television, cable, radio, newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and the Internet. We have seen shifts in the level of influence these components of mass media have enjoyed over the past several years, most notably the rise of the influence of electronic media and the decline of the power of newspapers and magazines. In addition, with the onset of multi-channel media such as the Internet and cable television, we have the opportunity to be exposed to a much greater variety of opinion regarding topics than we ever had prior to the development of these media.
Is all of this information a good thing? This question is relevant because such a wide array of data requires consumers of the information to work harder to get to the truth. We must remember that people who put forth opinions on issues are usually doing it because they are attempting to persuade their audiences, and truth-seeking consumers need to be aware of the mechanics of argumentation so that they are able to assess and evaluate the arguments being put forth.
The problem with all of the information available is that most people have no idea how to evaluate arguments, and purveyors count on the ignorance of their audience members. Critical thinkers pay attention to the context in which mass media reports their news stories, as well as the arguments they use in order to get their points across.
