What is the impact of mass media on culture?

The mass media have greatly affected the culture of many countries-- some people would say the effect has been negative, but for the most part, the mass media are an essential and generally positive part of life. The media tell you what the important stories are in the news, let you know about the weather, introduce you to famous politicians and entertainers and athletes, help you to learn more about history, entertain you and provide companionship, and teach you about the norms and customs of the culture (one of the purposes of the mass media is to transmit the culture from one generation to another). Often, media exposure creates fads, hit songs, memes, and catch-phrases, and it can also persuade people to buy certain products. And by seeing a popular celebrity wearing a certain style, many people will want to emulate that "look."

The media are well-known for promoting consumerism (most media have commercials, an aspect that critics like to complain about); but there is more to the media than just telling us about cool new products. The media can also be educational: an immigrant who comes to America may never have seen the flag nor known much about our president. By watching TV or reading magazines, he or she gain useful knowledge about American life; and by listening to how English is spoken on TV or radio, that immigrant can become more familiar with the language. The mass media are also a unifying factor during a crisis-- when there is a catastrophic event, people turn to TV or radio or internet or news magazines to learn more and to understand what happened (and why).