THE POWER OF MEDIA IN SHAPING PUBLIC OPINION

Abstract

This article explores how media, in all its modern forms, shapes and influences public opinion in today’s digital age. It analyzes the roles of traditional and social media, the growing impact of artificial intelligence, and the ethical challenges connected to misinformation and digital manipulation. Real examples, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global elections, and online activism, are used to highlight how media affects social perception and decision-making worldwide.