People in a democratic country rely heavily on the media for information on current events around the world. The media uses many tools to reach its audience such as newspapers, television and radio. The media is usually the first source of information for the public on important events around the world.

The media has the power to influence populations. With the large range of tools the media possess, it has the ability to reach large populations all over. The information or lack of information the media presents to populations influences the reactions the populations have towards the actual event. If information is tainted by media bias that bias can have a strong impact on large populations. Biased media can also lead to propaganda which can be a very powerful weapon in both the political arena as well as at the battle field.

Only a small minority of people are skilled in recognizing bias and propaganda in their country’s news. Because of the lack at identifying a biased media source the media not only has the power of what information is made available to people but also how the people should think about the information. Influencing the thoughts of large populations is a great power the media has.

The media has the last say in writing history. The current events of today are the history of tomorrow. Actual events may not be presented by the media with great accuracy but what is recorded and how it is presented is what people receive and remember. Media reports are often times primary sources that are used for the creation of history books which in turn retell historical events. The media can change how an event is remembered even if it is inaccurate.