It is not at all clear how much the media influences public opinion and how much public opinion influences the media.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Public opinion can be influential, the media can be influential.
The media is a like any other group of people. Their universe is all that matters.
It's really important to remember that most people in the public eye are human for a start and a lot of things that you read in the media get slightly misconstrued and manipulated.
I do find that the mainstream media oftentimes is what I would consider off base or has a bias.
When I look at public opinion, I'm not far out of the mainstream. I'm in it, in many respects. In some respects, public opinion goes beyond anything I've ever said.
There are certain times when public opinion is the worst of all opinions.
Public opinion shapes our destinies and guides the progress of human affairs.
Influential people aren't buffeted by the latest trend or by public opinion. They form their opinions carefully, based on the facts. They're more than willing to change their mind when the facts support it, but they aren't influenced by what other people think - only by what they know.
If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly.
There is no such thing as public opinion. There is only published opinion.