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Thesis Statements about Social Media: 21 Examples and Tips

by Judy Jeni
January 27, 2024

Writing Thesis Statements Based On Social Media

A thesis statement is a sentence in the introduction paragraph of an essay that captures the purpose of the essay. Using thesis statements about social media as an example, I will guide you on how to write them well.

It can appear anywhere in the first paragraph of the essay but it is mostly preferred when it ends the introduction paragraph. learning how to write a thesis statement for your essay will keep you focused.

A thesis statement can be more than one sentence only when the essay is on complex topics and there is a need to break the statement into two. This means, a good thesis statement structures an essay and tells the reader what an essay is all about.

A good social media thesis statement should be about a specific aspect of social media and not just a broad view of the topic.

The statement should be on the last sentence of the first paragraph and should tell the reader about your stand on the social media issue you are presenting or arguing in the essay.

Reading an essay without a thesis statement is like solving a puzzle. Readers will have to read the conclusion to at least grasp what the essay is all about. It is therefore advisable to craft a thesis immediately after researching an essay.

Throughout your entire writing, every point in every paragraph should connect to the thesis. In case it doesn’t then probably you have diverged from the main issue of the essay.

How to Write a Thesis Statement?

Writing a thesis statement is important when writing an essay on any topic, not just about social media. It is the key to holding your ideas and arguments together into just one sentence.

The following are tips on how to write a good thesis statement:

Start With a Question and Develop an Answer

If the question is not provided, come up with your own. Start by deciding the topic and what you would like to find out about it.

Secondly, after doing some initial research on the topic find the answers to the topic that will help and guide the process of researching and writing.

Consequently, if you write a thesis statement that does not provide information about your research topic, you need to construct it again.

Be Specific

The main idea of your essay should be specific. Therefore, the thesis statement of your essay should not be vague. When your thesis statement is too general, the essay will try to incorporate a lot of ideas that can contribute to the loss of focus on the main ideas.

Similarly, specific and narrow thesis statements help concentrate your focus on evidence that supports your essay. In like manner, a specific thesis statement tells the reader directly what to expect in the essay.

Make the Argument Clear

Usually, essays with less than one thousand words require the statement to be clearer. Remember, the length of a thesis statement should be a single sentence, which calls for clarity.

In these short essays, you do not have the freedom to write long paragraphs that provide more information on the topic of the essay.

Likewise, multiple arguments are not accommodated. This is why the thesis statement needs to be clear to inform the reader of what your essay is all about.

If you proofread your essay and notice that the thesis statement is contrary to the points you have focused on, then revise it and make sure that it incorporates the main idea of the essay. Alternatively, when the thesis statement is okay, you will have to rewrite the body of your essay.

Question your Assumptions

Before formulating a thesis statement, ask yourself the basis of the arguments presented in the thesis statement.

Assumptions are what your reader assumes to be true before accepting an argument. Before you start, it is important to be aware of the target audience of your essay.

Thinking about the ways your argument may not hold up to the people who do not subscribe to your viewpoint is crucial.

Alongside, revise the arguments that may not hold up with the people who do not subscribe to your viewpoint.

Take a Strong Stand

A thesis statement should put forward a unique perspective on what your essay is about. Avoid using observations as thesis statements.

In addition, true common facts should be avoided. Make sure that the stance you take can be supported with credible facts and valid reasons.

Equally, don’t provide a summary, make a valid argument. If the first response of the reader is “how” and “why” the thesis statement is too open-ended and not strong enough.

Make Your Thesis Statement Seen

The thesis statement should be what the reader reads at the end of the first paragraph before proceeding to the body of the essay. understanding how to write a thesis statement, leaves your objective summarized.

Positioning may sometimes vary depending on the length of the introduction that the essay requires. However, do not overthink the thesis statement. In addition, do not write it with a lot of clever twists.

Do not exaggerate the stage setting of your argument. Clever and exaggerated thesis statements are weak. Consequently, they are not clear and concise.

Good thesis statements should concentrate on one main idea. Mixing up ideas in a thesis statement makes it vague. Read on how to write an essay thesis as part of the steps to write good essays.

A reader may easily get confused about what the essay is all about if it focuses on a lot of ideas. When your ideas are related, the relation should come out more clearly.

21 Examples of Thesis Statements about Social Media

Recently, social media is growing rapidly. Ironically, its use in remote areas has remained relatively low.
Social media has revolutionized communication but it is evenly killing it by limiting face-to-face communication.
Identically, social media has helped make work easier. However,at the same time it is promoting laziness and irresponsibility in society today.
The widespread use of social media and its influence has increased desperation, anxiety, and pressure among young youths.
Social media has made learning easier but its addiction can lead to bad grades among university students.
As a matter of fact, social media is contributing to the downfall of mainstream media. Many advertisements and news are accessed on social media platforms today.
Social media is a major promoter of immorality in society today with many platforms allowing sharing of inappropriate content.
Significantly, social media promotes copycat syndrome that positively and negatively impacts the behavior adapted by different users.
In this affluent era, social media has made life easy but consequently affects productivity and physical strength.
The growth of social media and its ability to reach more people increases growth in today’s business world.
The freedom on social media platforms is working against society with the recent increase in hate speech and racism.
Lack of proper verification when signing up on social media platforms has increased the number of minors using social media exposing them to cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
The freedom of posting anything on social media has landed many in trouble making the need to be cautious before posting anything important.
The widespread use of social media has contributed to the rise of insecurity in urban centers
Magazines and journals have spearheaded the appreciation of all body types but social media has increased the rate of body shaming in America.
To stop abuse on Facebook and Twitter the owners of these social media platforms must track any abusive post and upload and ban the users from accessing the apps.
Social media benefits marketing by creating brand recognition, increasing sales, and measuring success with analytics by tracking data.
Social media connects people around the globe and fosters new relationships and the sharing of ideas that did not exist before its inception.
The increased use of social media has led to the creation of business opportunities for people through social networking, particularly as social media influencers.
Learning is convenient through social media as students can connect with education systems and learning groups that make learning convenient.
With most people spending most of their free time glued to social media, quality time with family reduces leading to distance relationships and reduced love and closeness.

Short Essay: Mass Media

In today’s interconnected world, mass media plays a pivotal role in shaping our perception of the world, disseminating information, and influencing public opinion. From traditional platforms like television, radio, and newspapers to the ever-expanding digital landscape encompassing social media, online news portals, and streaming services, mass media has become an integral part of our daily lives. Understanding the impact and intricacies of mass media is crucial, making it a compelling subject for exploration within the realm of academic writing.

To effectively write an essay on mass media, it is essential to employ a structured and systematic approach. This includes conducting extensive research to gather relevant information, critically evaluating sources, and organizing your thoughts to present a coherent and well-argued analysis. Additionally, understanding the key theories, concepts, and debates within the field of mass media will provide a solid foundation for constructing a compelling essay.

Table of Contents

Mass Media Essay Tips

Understand the Prompt: Carefully read and understand the essay prompt or question. Identify the specific focus or aspect of mass media that you need to address in your essay. Analyze any instructions or guidelines provided to ensure that you meet the requirements.

Conduct Thorough Research: Gather information from reliable and credible sources such as books, academic journals, reputable websites, and scholarly articles. Use a combination of primary and secondary sources to support your arguments and provide evidence for your claims. Take note of key statistics, theories, and case studies relevant to the topic.

Develop a Clear Thesis Statement: Craft a concise and focused thesis statement that clearly states your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should reflect the specific aspect of mass media that you will be discussing in the essay and provide a roadmap for your analysis.

Create an Outline: Organize your thoughts and ideas by creating an outline for your essay. Identify the main points you want to cover and arrange them in a logical order. This will help you maintain a clear structure and flow throughout your essay.

Introduction: Write an engaging introduction that provides an overview of the topic and captures the reader’s attention. Introduce the significance of mass media, its impact on society, and provide a brief preview of the main points you will be discussing in your essay. End your introduction with a strong thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs: Each body paragraph should focus on a specific subtopic or argument related to mass media. Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that relates back to your thesis statement. Provide supporting evidence, examples, and analysis to strengthen your arguments. Ensure smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain coherence.

Use Critical Analysis: Engage in critical thinking by evaluating different perspectives, theories, and debates within the field of mass media. Analyze the potential biases, ethical considerations, and the social, cultural, and political implications of mass media. Support your analysis with evidence and logical reasoning.

Incorporate Examples: Use relevant and current examples from real-world situations to illustrate your points. These can include case studies, media campaigns, or specific events that highlight the impact of mass media on society.

Conclusion: Summarize the main points discussed in your essay and restate your thesis in a succinct manner. Offer some final thoughts or reflections on the significance of mass media and its potential future developments. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Revise and Edit: Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and that your arguments are well-supported. Check for any spelling or punctuation errors. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to gain different perspectives and improve the overall quality of your essay.

Mass Media Essay Example 1

Title: The Influence of Mass Media: Shaping Perspectives and Societal Dynamics

Introduction Mass media has emerged as a powerful and influential force in our contemporary world. With its ability to reach diverse audiences and shape public opinion, mass media plays a significant role in shaping perspectives, disseminating information, and driving societal dynamics. This essay delves into the influence of mass media, exploring its impact on individuals, communities, and broader society. By analyzing its reach, effects, and challenges, we can better understand the complex relationship between mass media and the world we inhabit.

I. The Reach and Forms of Mass Media: A. Traditional Media: 1. Television: Discuss the impact of television as a dominant medium, its ability to shape cultural narratives, and the influence of television programs on viewers’ beliefs and behaviors. 2. Radio: Examine the role of radio in disseminating information, fostering community engagement, and its historical significance in reaching diverse populations.

B. Print Media: 1. Newspapers and Magazines: Explore the historical importance of print media, its role in providing in-depth analysis and investigative journalism, and the challenges it faces in the digital age. 2. Books and Literature: Discuss the enduring impact of books and literature in shaping public discourse, fostering critical thinking, and influencing societal values.

C. Digital Media: 1. Internet and Online News: Analyze the transformative impact of the internet on mass media, the rise of online news platforms, and the democratization of information. 2. Social Media: Examine the influence of social media platforms on communication, community engagement, and the spread of information, as well as the challenges of misinformation and echo chambers.

II. The Effects of Mass Media on Individuals: A. Formation of Beliefs and Attitudes: 1. Agenda Setting: Discuss how mass media influences the issues and topics that capture public attention and shape individual opinions. 2. Framing and Priming: Explore how media framing and priming techniques shape the way individuals interpret and understand information.

B. Socialization and Identity: 1. Media Representations: Analyze the impact of media representations on the formation of social identities, including gender, race, and ethnicity. 2. Media Influence on Body Image: Discuss the role of mass media in shaping beauty standards and its impact on body image and self-esteem.

III. Mass Media and Societal Dynamics: A. Political Influence: 1. Media and Democracy: Examine the role of mass media in facilitating political participation, fostering informed citizenship, and holding those in power accountable. 2. Media Bias and Propaganda: Discuss the challenges of media bias, propaganda, and the implications for public trust in media institutions.

B. Cultural Transmission and Globalization: 1. Cultural Homogenization and Hybridization: Analyze the impact of mass media on cultural diversity, including the spread of globalized media content and the emergence of hybrid cultural forms. 2. Media and Cultural Hegemony: Discuss the potential for cultural dominance and the influence of media conglomerates on shaping cultural values and practices.

IV. Challenges and Responsibilities of Mass Media: A. Ethics and Responsibility: 1. Media Ethics: Explore the ethical considerations in media production, including accuracy, objectivity, and respect for privacy. 2. Responsible Journalism: Discuss the importance of responsible journalism in an era of sensationalism, clickbait, and misinformation.

B. Media Literacy and Critical Thinking: 1. Promoting Media Literacy: Highlight the significance of media literacy education in empowering individuals to critically analyze media messages and navigate the digital landscape. 2. Combating Misinformation: Examine the role of media literacy in combating misinformation and fake news, and the responsibility of media organizations in fact-checking and verification.

Conclusion Mass media holds immense power in shaping perspectives, influencing behaviors, and driving societal dynamics. Its reach, whether through traditional channels or digital platforms, has transformed the way we communicate, consume information, and construct our identities. By understanding the effects and challenges associated with mass media, we can navigate its influence more consciously, promote responsible media practices, and cultivate a media-literate society capable of engaging critically with the messages it delivers.

Mass Media Essay Example 2

Title: The Role of Mass Media in the Digital Age: Opportunities and Challenges

Introduction In the digital age, mass media has undergone a profound transformation, revolutionizing the way information is created, shared, and consumed. The rise of digital platforms and social media has expanded the reach of mass media, providing new opportunities for communication and engagement. However, this shift has also brought forth a range of challenges, including the spread of misinformation, privacy concerns, and the erosion of traditional media models. This essay explores the role of mass media in the digital age, examining its opportunities, challenges, and the implications for individuals and society.

I. The Digital Revolution and the Changing Landscape of Mass Media: A. Rise of Digital Platforms: 1. The emergence of social media and its impact on mass communication. 2. The democratization of content creation and the blurring of traditional media boundaries.

B. Fragmentation of Audiences: 1. The diversification of media consumption habits and the decline of traditional media channels. 2. The challenges and opportunities presented by niche audiences and personalized content.

II. Opportunities and Benefits of Mass Media in the Digital Age: A. Accessibility and Global Reach: 1. The democratization of information and increased access to news and knowledge. 2. The ability of mass media to bridge geographical and cultural divides.

B. Citizen Journalism and Participatory Culture: 1. The empowerment of individuals to contribute to the media landscape through user-generated content. 2. The role of social media in amplifying diverse voices and promoting civic engagement.

III. Challenges and Concerns in the Digital Media Landscape: A. Spread of Misinformation and Fake News: 1. The impact of misinformation on public discourse and decision-making processes. 2. The role of mass media in fact-checking, verification, and combating the spread of fake news.

B. Privacy and Data Security: 1. The ethical implications of data collection and surveillance in the digital media ecosystem. 2. The need for robust privacy regulations and individual empowerment in the digital age.

IV. Media Literacy and Critical Thinking in the Digital Era: A. Promoting Media Literacy: 1. The importance of media literacy education in navigating the digital media landscape. 2. Equipping individuals with critical thinking skills to evaluate media content and sources.

B. Responsible Media Practices: 1. The role of media organizations in upholding ethical standards and responsible reporting. 2. Encouraging transparency, accuracy, and accountability in the digital media environment.

V. The Future of Mass Media: A. Innovation and Adaptation: 1. The need for media organizations to embrace technological advancements and new storytelling formats. 2. Exploring emerging trends such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence.

B. Preserving Democratic Values: 1. Safeguarding the role of mass media in fostering informed citizenship and democratic processes. 2. Balancing commercial interests with the public interest in the digital media landscape.

Conclusion The digital age has presented both opportunities and challenges for mass media. While it has expanded access to information and facilitated citizen participation, it has also given rise to concerns regarding misinformation, privacy, and ethical practices. Navigating the evolving media landscape requires media literacy, critical thinking, and responsible media practices. By addressing these challenges and harnessing the potential of digital media, we can ensure that mass media continues to play a vital role in informing, engaging, and empowering individuals and society in the years to come.

Mass Media Essay Example 3

Title: Mass Media and Social Change: Catalysts for Progress and Challenges to Consider

Introduction Mass media has the power to shape public opinion, influence societal norms, and drive social change. Throughout history, mass media has played a significant role in raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and promoting progressive movements. This essay explores the dynamic relationship between mass media and social change, examining its role as a catalyst for progress, the challenges it faces, and the ethical considerations involved.

I. The Influence of Mass Media on Social Movements: A. Amplifying Voices: 1. The role of mass media in providing a platform for marginalized communities and underrepresented voices. 2. Examples of social movements that gained momentum through media coverage and public attention.

B. Mobilizing Communities: 1. The power of mass media in mobilizing individuals and communities for collective action. 2. The role of media campaigns, documentaries, and online platforms in fostering social activism.

II. Mass Media as an Agent of Awareness and Education: A. Raising Awareness of Social Issues: 1. The ability of mass media to shed light on social injustices, human rights violations, and global crises. 2. The impact of media coverage on public perception and engagement with social issues.

B. Educating and Empowering Individuals: 1. The role of mass media in disseminating information, promoting critical thinking, and fostering empathy. 2. The use of documentaries, news programs, and online resources to educate the public on social issues.

III. Challenges and Criticisms Associated with Mass Media and Social Change: A. Media Bias and Selective Reporting: 1. The influence of media bias on the portrayal and framing of social issues. 2. The need for balanced and objective reporting to ensure accuracy and credibility.

B. Commercialization and Sensationalism: 1. The impact of commercial interests on media content and the prioritization of profit over social impact. 2. The role of sensationalism in shaping public perception and undermining the integrity of social change movements.

IV. Ethical Considerations in Mass Media and Social Change: A. Representation and Authenticity: 1. The importance of diverse and authentic representation in media narratives. 2. Addressing stereotypes, misrepresentations, and cultural appropriation in media portrayals.

B. Accountability and Responsibility: 1. The ethical responsibilities of media organizations in reporting accurately and upholding journalistic integrity. 2. Balancing the pursuit of social change with the need for balanced reporting and informed public discourse.

V. The Future of Mass Media and Social Change: A. Technological Advancements and Opportunities: 1. The role of digital media in facilitating grassroots movements and online activism. 2. Exploring emerging technologies and their potential impact on social change efforts.

B. Collaboration and Collective Action: 1. The importance of collaboration between media organizations, activists, and communities to drive social change. 2. Harnessing the power of mass media to create a collective impact and sustainable social transformation.

Conclusion Mass media serves as a powerful catalyst for social change, raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and promoting progressive values. However, it also faces challenges such as bias, sensationalism, and ethical considerations. By addressing these challenges and embracing responsible media practices, mass media can continue to play a vital role in advancing social change, fostering dialogue, and creating a more just and inclusive society.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

[email protected]

Mass Media - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

Mass media, a formidable force in shaping public opinion and cultural norms, encompasses a wide range of platforms including newspapers, television, radio, and digital outlets. Essays could delve into the historical evolution of mass media, exploring its role in political communication, social mobilization, and cultural exchange. The discourse might extend to the examination of the challenges and opportunities posed by the digital revolution, discussing issues like fake news, media literacy, and the consolidation of media ownership. Discussions could also focus on the societal and psychological impacts of mass media, exploring its influence on body image, consumer behavior, and political polarization. Moreover, a comprehensive exploration could include a discussion on the regulatory frameworks governing media, the ethical considerations in journalism, and the future of mass media in the face of emerging technologies and changing societal dynamics, offering a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted role of mass media in contemporary society. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Mass Media you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Violence in the Mass Media

Violence has been shown through movies, TV shows, and video games since the early 1900s. The nation that we live in today has changed due to an increased demand for violence. The amount of violence shown needs to be reduced to help this generation and the ones to ones to come, while many argue the media has caused teens to show an increase in aggressive behavior everytime they watch or play something that involves violence. People tend to blame the […]

The Influence of Mass Media on the Standards of the Ideal Body Shape of Women

Many people in this world compare themselves to models and other individuals they encounter in their daily lives. They aspire to an idealized version of beauty, perpetuated largely by social media. This is particularly prevalent among teenagers who are grappling with health and mental issues. They constantly feel inadequate and fear judgement and ridicule. Today's society emphasizes physical attractiveness, pressuring both men and women to conform to perceived standards of beauty, which often involves altering their natural body shape. For […]

Fake News: a Major Problem in Today’s Society

Fake news is becoming a significant problem in today's society. People know what fake news is but fail to differentiate between fake and accurate news. Fake news is seen on almost all social media platforms. It is designed to attract the viewers' attention and misguide them. Tom Nichols, author of The Death of Expertise, believed that more than 80% of information on the Internet is fake, "worse, bad information can stay online for years," says Nichols. Unlike yesterday's newspaper, online […]

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Public Opinion: Mass Media and Social Media

Public policies are created to ensure the public’s safety and well-being. From amusement park regulations to laws on drinking and driving to more political issues, lawmakers put these policies in place for the best interests of the people. Sometimes the public does not find favor with these policies and have a different outlook of what the policy should be. This is called public opinion. These views and beliefs of an individual combined with a sizeable collective group, result in forming […]

An Issue of Fake News in World

Introduction Now-a-days, Technology is present everywhere. Its impact is seen in every part of the world. This growth of technology introduced lots of improvements in everyday life like online news, Virtual Friendships, Sharing photos and documents etc. While these can be the positive impacts, there are many negative impacts too. One of such negative impact is Fake News. Fake News occurs because of two terms. They are: Misinformation: This false information is because of honest mistakes shared by important organizations. […]

Influence of Social Media on Youth

Media is quickly evolving, especially social media that has captured the attention of many children. There are new forms of media that are coming up with the rapid rise in technology. It is clear that media has been influential factors on how it benefits children's interaction. Media is not only an essential part in influencing socialization among children, especially the peer group but now it has become part of the community marketing and motivation of people. However, it has been […]

Yellow Journalism Today

The word 'Yellow Journalism' was first heard in the 1890s to describe the methods and styles used by Joseph Pulitzer concerning the New York City newspaper. His competitor in the field of print media was William Randolph Hearst. Both authors were covering the exclamations of the war that created a lot of alarm among the people. They used powerful words on their headlines such as glory, slaughter, and death on the front page whenever possible to create curiosity and interest. […]

How Yellow Journalism Resulted to the Spanish-American War

How yellow journalism resulted to the Spanish-American war. The yellow journalism was started by Joseph Pulitzer in 1896 with a carton of yellow kid and sold many paper. It was characterized with emotional words, dramatic sympathy, false information and misleading headlines which had huge print to attract the attention of people. I had a lot of drawing, pictures and images. Now William Hearst the owner of New York stole the writers from Pulitzer to complete the yellow journalism (Wilkerson, 1932). […]

Internet Censorship should it be Allowed

One of the latest media inventions is internet. It has introduced a completely new way of communicating and expressing ideas and views on a great range of topics because it offers a lot of updated information, people prefer to deal with internet instead of any other media such as television or radio. Nowadays billions of people all over the world have access to the internet, simply, through a dial-up connection. In addition, everybody is able to create his/her homepage on […]

Facebook and Fake News

Introduction Since the 2016 election, the media issue of fake news has become a major topic of discussion. Fake news are invalid news articles and coverage that are meant to stir controversy and spread false information. The media has played an extremely huge role in the development and spread of fake news, particularly Facebook. However, Facebook has adopted an interesting stance regarding their response to tackle fake news and although its users and the public have other opinions, Facebook's obligations […]

Analysis of the Watchdog Role in Journalism

Chapter 10 of The Press explores the definition, key elements, and importance of Watchdog Journalism. Watchdog Journalism is a concept that has been and currently still is used in public journalism. It is an important foundation for bringing forth news to the public that may otherwise stay hidden. To begin, journalism has due-diligence to the public to report news that not only matters but affects them either emotionally or physically. Journalists implement the watchdog role in order to bring forth […]

Internet Censorship in China

An original supporter of internet censorship was Deng Xiaoping, a Chinese politician. Deng Xiaoping had a famous saying that "If you open a window for fresh air for longer than 10 hours, you have to expect some flies to blow in". Deng Xiaoping, as well as many other Chinese politicians, were the main reason internet censorship exists today. Using this analogy, the Communist Party of China decided that it would be best for them to be proactive in "swatting flies". […]

The Yellow Kid and the Birth of Yellow Journalism

In 1895, the first comic strip was printed in an American newspaper. Called "Hogan's Alley, this popular cartoon made by Richard Outcault featured a buck-toothed, beady-eyed and big-eared boy wearing a yellow nightdress. Fittingly called The Yellow Kid, this loveable character began to gain popularity in an era full of consumerism, commercialization, urbanization and social reform. Newspapers in the late 1800s started to engage heavily in sensationalism and the reporting of exciting stories without full regard to objectivity and truth. […]

Criminogenic Media

For a long time, lots of experts argued that there is an appearance of criminogenic media, which refers to the hypothesis that media content is a direct cause of crime (Surette, 2015). However, consensus does not exist. Some experts pointed out that the relationship between crime and media are not in a direct effect but in a correlation. Nevertheless, there is a relationship between criminogenic media and copycat crime. A copycat crime is “a crime inspired by earlier, media-publicized or […]

News and Democracy in Different Media Systems

Many decades ago, Siebert, Peterson, and Schramm (1959) posed a question related to the concepts of the press and its role in society, “Why is the press as it is? Why does it apparently serve different purposes and appear in widely different forms in different countries?” The answers to these questions led the authors to present the Authoritarian, the Soviet communist, the Libertarian, and the Social Responsibility models, which explain what the press should be and do in different countries. […]

Impact of Social Media has had on the Consumer Buying Behavior Model

In the past few years, there has been substantial growth in technology, providing people with what is commonly referred to as a virtual environment. This enables individuals to come together, thus increasing their interaction levels and creating numerous tools that have greatly exploited web services' capabilities. According to Mangold, this virtual environment has led to the advent of social media, which is rapidly becoming an essential component in integrating communication in marketing. It allows organizations to build strong relationships with […]

How Journalism has Affected our National Narrative

In this age of journalism there are numerous factors that play into the production and reliability of the information we receive. Taking into account a time where our country was less technologically advanced, "current news was primarily accessible to those who had seen it first hand or lived within a proximal distance. The evolution of technology has allowed a secondary source on one side of the world to present news and information to a consumer on another side of the […]

Effects of Multi Media on Violence in School

School violence on students can cause psychological and physical pain. The physical pain they get can cause them to be hospitalized. Sometimes that school violence cause students to shoot up schools. People's aggressive behavior increased watching aggressive programs on TV. Students that watch aggressive TV show start to become tougher and less emotional. TV mainly effect students because in the show they watch they become aggressive with other people. Research has also shown that the viewers who watch violent shows […]

Adolescents in the United States

Adolescents in the United States have an unlimited amount of access to a multitude of the different types of mass media, including television, music, movies, and the Internet practically social media sites. The majority of these adolescents tend to utilize their time focusing on the media rather than the education they receive in the school or their parents. The majority of this content idealizes being sexually active, including different types of sex messages with dialogue and content. Few of these […]

Modern Day Censorship: Syria

How much do we value our freedom of speech as citizens of the United States of America? Would you risk your life to report news that might make an impact in the lives of many? Many countries around the world maintain very strict guidelines in what can be reported and broadcasted. In many countries this amount of strict censorship could even lead to you getting either tortured or killed. One modern day censored country would be the Middle Eastern country […]

The Future that Journalism Holds

Journalism continues to evolve at the same rate as the country's interpretations of the First Amendment. Because of the continual advances in technology around the world, society must question the state of journalism, and whether or not its older principles are still applicable to modern standards. As Stephen J.A. Ward highlights in his article Digital Media Ethics: "Most of the principles were developed over the past century, originating in the construction of professional, objective ethics for mass commercial newspapers in […]

Stereotypes in Media

Media is an important and popular entertainment. People also obtain information and form their impressions on characters who are represented in media. As a result, racism media will implement the stereotypes into people’s mind. Unfortunately, American media has a long history of producing media contents with bias and stereotypes. This enhanced the racism which has a long history in America. Racism and stereotypes have serious consequences such as stereotype threat and media are one of the forces that push them. […]

Defining Censorship

Censorship is the restriction of speech, communication or other information. Censorship affects our society in different ways. Censorship is usually determined by the government or a private foundation. It influences the music we tune in to, news articles, films, and the books we read. Censorship is a widely debated topic, and can be either harmful or protective to a society. It is possible to argue that censorship has no place in a nation that focuses on freedom of expression, because […]

Fake News Epidemic Within Society

'Fake News' as the false stories that fail to get flagged as inaccurate or just plain false in order to be considered validated, and thus are seen as more accurate. Many individuals then begin to share the misinformation taking it for facts because it has an appealing headline, or because it reinforces their viewpoint. Such an effect is particularly important given that it is extremely easier to produce misinformation than it is to debunk it. I am interested in this […]

Is Instagram Really that Bad

Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, and other types of social media have become a tremendous part of our lives. Social media takes a big role in society today as we know it whether it be good or bad. Instagram is a well known social media platform used by millions of people daily. Instagram is a photo and video sharing app along with live streaming, 24 hour stories, video and direct messaging. Instagram is not as bad as it is panned out to […]

LGBT in Modern Society

Since ancient times, the public has been more or less confused and biased towards LGBTQ people in both China and the West. It is the second ten years of the 21st century. Since 2010, more and more LGBTQ people get into the mainstream explosively. LGBTQ is not strange and new to modern society today anymore. There are 28 countries and cities which have acknowledged the legality of homoseuxal marriage, such as Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, etc; 20 countries have […]

Three Major Ways Social Media has Advanced Journalism

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How to Write a Thesis Statement About Social Media

writing thesis statement about social media

Writing a thesis statement requires good research and creating a concise yet very informative point. Writing one about social media is no different. Due to the scope of the study, the information to gather and discuss is even more expansive.

What is a Social Media Thesis Statement?

Social Media Essay Outline

Social media essay titles, thesis on social media, argumentative essay on social media, social networking thesis statement, summing up the thesis statement.

Social media uses mobile technologies that are Internet-based to run communication across different parts of the world. It gives people worldwide the opportunity to communicate and socialize, unlike past means of communication which were only one-way.

The evolution of technology has made social media more efficient and prevalent than any other form of communication today. With technology’s continued evolution, social media will continue to evolve, and so will topics and thesis statements about it. A good thesis statement about social media must meet some requirements, and we will look through most of them.

What is a Social Media Thesis Statement Supposed to Look Like?

Before understanding how a thesis statement on social media should look like, we should familiarize ourselves with what thesis statements properly entail. A thesis statement is typically written in the introductory portion of a paper.

It provides an apt and rapid summary of the main point or aim of the research paper or thesis. As the name implies, it is a statement, mainly written in just one sentence.

A thesis statement briefly combines the topic and the main ideas of the paper. Usually, there are two types of thesis statements: indirect and direct. The indirect thesis statements do not mention the core areas or reason of the thesis like the direct statement does.

A direct statement mentions the main topic and discusses the reasons for the paper, while an indirect statement mentions the statement and points out three reasons for it.

For instance, an indirect social media thesis statement could go like this; “Effects of social media on youth and the reasons for its abuse.” Here the topic is clearly stated, along with the central claim of the thesis paper.

Thesis statements are created, backed up, and expatiated in the remaining parts of the paper by citing examples and bringing up other related topics that support their claim. Through this, the thesis statement then goes to help structure and develop the entire body of the writing piece.

A thesis about social media should contain a good thesis statement that would impact and organize the body of the thesis work. Thesis statements do not necessarily control the entire essay but complement it in numerous aspects.

In writing a social media essay, there is a wide variety of topics to talk about. The points are nearly endless, from information collection to technology, its impacts, and adverse effects to its evolution. Nevertheless, there is always a basic outline for an essay, and it will be structured to follow the same format.

Here is an outline for a social media essay;

Introduction

Here, you begin with the topic, state its objective, provide reasons to support its claims and finalize with a precise and accurate thesis statement.

Thesis statement

This statement should support and complement your main topic of discussion. It should provide a concise and cut-out message of the essay.

This section systematically lays out the arguments to support your topic while splitting them into paragraphs. This will gradually develop your points in a structured manner.

Each paragraph in this section must start with the topic sentence which relates directly to the thesis statement. Naturally, a paragraph should focus on one idea and be connected to the essay’s central argument.

Students must also conduct research and provide evidence to support the claims presented in the topic sentence. They can achieve this by using proper explanation methods to merge all their findings carefully.

In the conclusion of the social media essay , you restate your statement in a way that completely complements and brings all your previous arguments together. It must have a concluding paragraph that reiterates the main point discussed in the body of the content. It should also add a call to action to bring the essay into a logical closure that effortlessly lays bare all the ideas previously presented.

The social media field is continuously expanding, and there are various variations to how it can be operated and observed. Choosing a topic is easy, but choosing the right one may not be as unchallenging.

Before you begin writing an essay, the correct approach will be to review as many samples as you can. This way, you can easily understand the general concept and the adequate writing flow required to outline or develop your arguments carefully.

Picking the wrong titles can go on to make your thesis for a social media essay unnecessarily tricky to write. This can occur when you pick a topic too complex or choose one too vaguely and undervalued. This could make you get stuck when writing, so you should always pick titles that are easy to research, analyze and expand upon.

With all these in view, here are some social media essay titles;

Impact of social media on general education
Effects of using social media on businesses
Adverse effects of social media on personal relationships
The effect of government on social media and their potential restrictions
How a thesis about the effects of social media can positively impact society.

A thesis on social media should easily resemble other academic papers and concentrate on various topics in various subjects. Papers like this should take social media as their primary focus.

Keeping that in mind, a compelling social media thesis should contain specific parts like an introduction, thesis statement, body, and conclusion. Each part is essential and has its contribution and functions to the entire content of the thesis. Some students may find writing a thesis statement about social media difficult, so you can always ask our professional writers to “ write my thesis ” and we will be happy to help you.

The introduction usually contains a hook, a summary of the core points, and a concise thesis statement. The body section must carefully develop each argument and idea in a paragraph, while the conclusion should completely close all the arguments.

The tone, style, and approach to each argument should be precise and well laid out to quickly understand the general idea the thesis is trying to build upon. Depending on the level of education you are writing your thesis, you may need to conduct specific direct research on some points and be required to portray them in an encompassing manner.

Generally, thesis writing on any topic requires hard work, extensive research periods, and a good understanding of writing methods. Hence it should be approached with determination and passion. As a student in higher education, you should learn how to improve your writing skills.

An argumentative essay on social media is typically more engaging with active points of discussion and analysis. Communication is an integral aspect of human life when connecting and moving society as a whole forward. Now technology has upgraded communication to a social media age, which has become an advantage and disadvantage in many aspects of life.

An argumentative social media essay generally possesses a strong argument. The essay’s topic must be designed to prompt a person to pick a side or a discussion and provide the necessary support to back up their decision. This type of essay also requires one to research accurate facts for proper argumentative purposes.

Social media argumentative essays target the harmful effects of this brilliant innovation in communication and its uses worldwide. It is only natural as negative discussions might elicit a sense of debate and argumentation. Some examples of argumentative essay topics on social media include;

The negative effects of social media on education in different nations
Effects of social media and its impacts on the older and younger generation
How social media has taken over people
The adverse effects of social media and the digital space on our mental health
The pros and cons of social media in this society.

Social networking is an integral aspect of social media. It uses Internet-based social media sites to create connections and stay connected with friends, customers, family, and even business partners.

Social networking usually performs a primary purpose in communication with actual avenues like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These sites and applications enable people to connect to develop relationships and share messages, ideas, and information.

Most social networking forms entail developing and maintaining relationships using communication technology, whether it is the relationship between clients, business partners, or even students.

For example, with the development of the Internet, most students can easily find services to help write dissertations on media space, or social media marketing. All you have to do is invite me to write my dissertation and they will immediately find the best service to solve their problem.

Writing is a social networking thesis statement similar to that of a social media thesis statement. They essentially involve rational discussion, and they can be approached in the same manner. The only slight difference will be the particular attention to social media relationships. How they are developed, what it takes to maintain them, and the various merits they could provide. These would typically form the structure of a social networking thesis statement.

Writing a good thesis statement on social media involves a good understanding of the topic chosen and an accurate idea of the reasons, factors, and discussions that impact the main idea of the thesis. With all these discussed, you should be well on your way to writing good thesis statements on social media.

Thesis Statement About Social Media

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Social Media & Society is a captivating and relevant research area, encompassing various aspects from interpersonal relations to global communication dynamics. A well-defined thesis statement is pivotal for delineating your research parameters and objectives in this expansive field. Below, you’ll find insightful examples of both good and bad thesis statements on Social Media & Society, accompanied by comprehensive explanations.

Good Thesis Statement Examples

Good: “This thesis evaluates the correlation between prolonged social media usage and increased levels of anxiety and depression among teenagers in the United States.” Bad: “Social media affects teenagers’ mental health.”

The good statement presents a specific correlation, target demographic (teenagers in the U.S.), and identified outcomes (anxiety and depression levels). The bad example, while correct, is vague and lacks defined variables and demographic focus.

Good: “The proliferation of fake news on social media platforms has discernibly influenced political elections, swaying public opinion and voter behavior.” Bad: “Fake news on social media impacts elections.”

The good statement provides a clear, arguable claim regarding fake news, public opinion, and voter behavior on social media. Conversely, the bad example states a general fact without depth or a specific area of impact.

Good: “Implementing educational programs that promote critical digital literacy can mitigate the negative effects of cyberbullying among middle school students.” Bad: “Education can help reduce cyberbullying.”

The good example is researchable and offers specific solutions (critical digital literacy programs), target demographic (middle school students), and defined problem (cyberbullying). The bad statement lacks detail, specific solutions, and target groups.

Bad Thesis Statement Examples

Overly Broad: “Social media has changed the way people communicate.”

Although true, this statement is excessively general and does not specify which aspect of communication or which demographic is being explored.

Lack of Clear Argument: “Social media is popular among young people.”

While factual, this statement lacks a clear argument or specific research focus, rendering it ineffective as a research guide.

Unmeasurable and Unresearchable: “Life is unimaginable without social media today.”

Although many might agree, this statement is not easily measurable or researchable and does not provide clear directions for academic exploration.

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for research in social media and society is crucial for delineating your investigation and elucidating your academic endeavor’s aims and scope. A good thesis statement should be specific, debatable, and researchable, acting as a sturdy foundation for scholarly inquiry. In contrast, a bad thesis statement is often too general, lacks a clear argument, and is not conducive to empirical exploration. The examples and analyses provided in this guide furnish students with valuable insights for developing thesis statements that are academically rigorous and insightful for exploring the intricate relationship between social media and society.

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Crafting A Thesis Statement About Social Media: Tips And Tricks

With the rise of online platforms and thesis statement social media in our lives, students and teachers alike are increasingly asking questions about whether or not this technology is beneficial to academic performance. While it can be argued that there are both pros and cons to using social media. Many studies now show how integrating different forms of social media into classroom-based teaching can have tremendous positive benefits such as promoting greater collaboration between peers.

Asynchronous learning opportunities for a wider variety of topics, increased engagement among students to participate in activities related to areas of study, improved access to resources outside the textbook, as well as an overall boost in communication with all stakeholders involved within any given educational setting. In this blog post, we will explore these topics and provide a thesis statement about the impacts that social media has today on modern education.

How To Write a Thesis Statement About Social Media?

1. understand the topic:.

Before attempting to write a thesis statement on social media, it is important to understand the topic. In this case, you need to familiarize yourself with what social media is and what aspects are associated with it. Researching different sources such as news articles, blogs, and academic papers can help provide insight into the topic.

2. Brainstorm Potential Ideas:

After gaining an understanding of the topic, you should brainstorm potential ideas for your thesis statement. Think about what information you found during your research and develop a few statements that capture the essence of it. It is also useful to consider any questions or opinions you have on the subject matter.

3. Refine the Ideas:

Once you have a few potential ideas for your thesis statement, it is time to narrow them down. Evaluate each idea and determine which one best encapsulates the points you want to make about social media. Re-write this statement in its strongest form and consider how it can be further refined.

4. Finalize Your Thesis Statement:

After you have thoroughly examined each idea, you can finalize your thesis statement. Make sure it accurately reflects the points you want to make about social media and that it is written in a clear and concise manner. Once this is done, your thesis statement on social media will be complete.

5. Support Your Thesis Statement:

To make your thesis statement even stronger, it is important to provide evidence and support for your claims. This may involve conducting additional research or gathering statistics that back up what you are saying. Doing this will create a well-rounded argument and help communicate the message of the thesis statement more effectively.

6. Revise and Edit:

The final step in writing your thesis statement is to revise and edit it. Read through the statement several times, paying attention to spelling, grammar, and syntax. You can also ask someone else to read over it as well to ensure that it is clear and accurate. Once everything has been checked, your thesis statement on social media is ready to be presented.

What Is a Social Media Thesis Statement?

A Social Media Thesis Statement is a statement that expresses the key idea of an argument about the influence of social media platforms on modern society. It could be argued that social media has had both positive and negative impacts on people, from creating new opportunities for communication and connection to contributing to issues like cyberbullying, addiction, and data security.

The overall effect of social media on our lives is still unclear and needs further exploration. This thesis statement serves as a starting point for further research into the role of social media in today’s society. Through exploring the effects of social media on individuals, communities, and even global society, we can gain insight into how these platforms are shaping the world we live in.

What Are Social Networks On The Internet?

Social networks on the Internet are online platforms that allow individuals to connect and interact with one another in a virtual space. These networks often involve user profiles, friends lists, and other features that allow users to post content such as photos, text, and videos. Many social networks allow users to comment on others’ posts, join groups, and join conversations.

The use of social networks has become a popular part of everyday life, providing users with a convenient way to stay connected and share information. From personal connections to professional opportunities, these networks offer various benefits that can be utilized by both individuals and businesses.

Do We Know Where Social Networks Originate?

Social networks have become an increasingly popular way of connecting with people all over the world, allowing us to communicate with friends, family, and acquaintances. However, it can be difficult to determine the exact origin of these networks.

The first concept resembling a social network was Six Degrees, which was created by Andrew Weinreich in 1996. This website allowed users to create a profile and connect with other users, as well as find people from around the world. It was successful for a while but eventually failed due to legal issues and a lack of funding.

In 1997, Classmates.com was launched, allowing users to search for former classmates and make connections with them. This was the beginning of social networks becoming an integral part of our lives. Soon after, other popular networks emerged such as Friendster in 2002, LinkedIn in 2003, and MySpace in 2004.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networks On The Internet

Advantages of social networks on the internet.

1. Social networks on the internet provide unprecedented levels of connectivity, allowing users to easily interact with each other regardless of geographical location.

2. Social networks can be used to build communities and create conversations around particular topics or ideas.

3. Many social networks have also opened up their platforms to entrepreneurs, allowing small businesses to have the opportunity to market their products and services more effectively.

4. While social networks do offer many benefits, it is important that users remain cautious when using them.

5. Social networks can provide many opportunities for people to make connections, learn about new topics, and gain insight into different perspectives.

Disadvantages of Social Networks On The Internet

1. Excessive personal information sharing can lead to identity theft and fraud.

2. Unregulated content can be misleading or inappropriate for younger viewers.

3. Connecting with strangers online can put users at risk for cyberbullying, scams, and other malicious acts.

4. Increased distractions from social media use can negatively impact school performance and work productivity.

5. Addiction to social networking sites is common among users, leading to a lack of balance between online/offline relationships and activities.

How To Write A Good Social Media Essay?

1. Choose a topic that interests you and your audience

2. Do extensive research to understand the subject better

3. Brainstorm ideas

4. Outline the essay structure

5. Write an attention-grabbing introduction

6. Create well-structured paragraphs with clear arguments supported by evidence

7. Incorporate visuals (e.g., images, videos, gifs) where appropriate to keep readers engaged

8. Make sure your content is relevant and up-to-date according to social media trends

9. End with a strong conclusion summarizing the main points

10. Proofread for grammar and formatting errors before posting.

Social Media Essay Outline

1. introduction:.

The introduction should provide a brief overview of the topic, explaining what social media is and why it is important in our lives today. It should also introduce the main points to be discussed in the essay and provide an overview of relevant research that has been done. The Introduction should conclude with a clearly defined thesis statement.

2. Thesis Statement:

The purpose of this essay is to explore the effects that social media has had on our lives, both positive and negative, and to provide insight into how we can use it in constructive ways.

The body of the essay should begin by looking at the positives of social media, such as its ability to connect people across the globe and how it can be used to share ideas. It should discuss how social media has created new opportunities for businesses and organizations to reach a wider audience and how it can be used to raise awareness about important issues.

4. Conclusion:

In conclusion, although there are both positives and negatives associated with social media, it is clear that used in the right way it can be an incredibly useful and powerful tool for communication. With a few simple steps, such as using proper caution when consuming information and taking breaks from constant use, anyone can enjoy the benefits of this technology without many of its potential drawbacks.

21 Examples of Thesis Statements About Social Media

1. For individuals, social media can be both a blessing and a curse; it provides a platform for increased connectivity, but can also create or exacerbate feelings of loneliness and depression.

2. Social media has been associated with the rise of “echo chambers” that limit the diversity of perspectives people encounter.

3. Social media can also have a serious impact on mental health, as users are exposed to a barrage of both positive and negative information all at once.

4. It is important for individuals to be conscious of their own use of social media, as well as that of others in order to minimize any potential risks associated with it.

5. Setting limits on time spent online, engaging in meaningful conversations, and taking a break from social media can help to reduce any potential negative effects of its use.

6. It is also important to remember that the content posted on social media does not always reflect the reality of people’s lives.

7. It is crucial to remain mindful of what we see on social media and understand its potential impact on our own mental health.

8. We can ensure a safe and healthy online environment for ourselves and those around us.

9. Social media can be an amazing tool to maintain relationships and foster meaningful dialogue, but it is important to keep in mind the potential pitfalls associated with its use.

10. We can make sure that our experiences on social media are both positive and productive.

11. By understanding the potential risks and actively managing our own use of social media, we can ensure that it remains a force for good in our lives.

12. Through increased self-awareness and mindfulness, we can make sure to get the most out of our interactions on social media while avoiding any potential negative effects.

13. It is important to remember that social media should use in moderation and with care so that it can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of its users.

14. By remaining aware of our own use and encouraging others to do the same, we can ensure that social media remains a safe and healthy space for all.

15. It is important to remember the potential benefits and pitfalls of social media and make sure to use it responsibly.

16. We can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who uses it

17. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading awareness and promoting positive change in the world.

18. Social media can use to advocate for causes that matter and amplify the voices of those who are often unheard.

19. Through thoughtful engagement and meaningful conversations, we can use social media as a platform to create positive change in the world.

20. When used responsibly, social media can be an invaluable tool to help us build better communities and create a more just and equitable world.

21. By understanding the potential impacts of using social media and taking steps to ensure responsible use, we can make sure that it remains a force for good in our lives.

Related Article: Term Paper: Structure And Tips For Writing A Successful Paper

Conclusion:

As we can see from this study, students who use social media in an educational setting perform better than those who don’t. This is likely because social media provides a more engaging and interactive learning environment. While there are many potential benefits to incorporating social media into instruction, such as promoting collaboration and interaction among students.

There are also some challenges that need to take into account, such as managing student screen time and ensuring online safety. If you’re a teacher, consider incorporating social media into your lesson plans. And if you’re a student, be sure to take advantage of the resources that social media has to offer.

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How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

Start with a question
Write your initial answer
Develop your answer
Refine your thesis statement

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What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

Why you hold this position
What they’ll learn from your essay
The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

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It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

Ask a question about your topic .
Write your initial answer.
Develop your answer by including reasons.
Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations

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Special Issue: Propaganda

This essay was published as part of the Special Issue “Propaganda Analysis Revisited”, guest-edited by Dr. A. J. Bauer (Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Creative Media, University of Alabama) and Dr. Anthony Nadler (Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Media Studies, Ursinus College).

Propaganda, misinformation, and histories of media techniques

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This essay argues that the recent scholarship on misinformation and fake news suffers from a lack of historical contextualization. The fact that misinformation scholarship has, by and large, failed to engage with the history of propaganda and with how propaganda has been studied by media and communication researchers is an empirical detriment to it, and serves to make the solutions and remedies to misinformation harder to articulate because the actual problem they are trying to solve is unclear.

School of Media and Communication, University of Leeds, UK

Introduction

Propaganda has a history and so does research on it. In other words, the mechanisms and methods through which media scholars have sought to understand propaganda—or misinformation, or disinformation, or fake news, or whatever you would like to call it—are themselves historically embedded and carry with them underlying notions of power and causality. To summarize the already quite truncated argument below, the larger conceptual frameworks for understanding information that is understood as “pernicious” in some way can be grouped into four large categories: studies of propaganda, the analysis of ideology and its relationship to culture, notions of conspiracy theory, and finally, concepts of misinformation and its impact. The fact that misinformation scholarship generally proceeds without acknowledging these theoretical frameworks is an empirical detriment to it and serves to make the solutions and remedies to misinformation harder to articulate because the actual problem to be solved is unclear.

The following pages discuss each of these frameworks—propaganda, ideology, conspiracy, and misinformation—before returning to the stakes and implications of these arguments for future research on pernicious media content.

Propaganda and applied research

The most salient aspect of propaganda research is the fact that it is powerful in terms of resources while at the same time it is often intellectually derided, or at least regularly dismissed. Although there has been a left-wing tradition of propaganda research housed uneasily within the academy (Herman & Chomsky, 1988; Seldes & Seldes, 1943), this is not the primary way in which journalism or media messaging has been understood in many journalism schools or mainstream communications departments. This relates, of course, to the institutionalization of journalism and communication studies within the academic enterprise. Within this paradox, we see the greater paradox of communication research as both an applied and a disciplinary field. Propaganda is taken quite seriously by governments, the military, and the foreign service apparatus (Simpson, 1994); at the same time, it has occupied a tenuous conceptual place in most media studies and communications departments, with the dominant intellectual traditions embracing either a “limited effects” notion of what communication “does” or else more concerned with the more slippery concept of ideology (and on that, see more below). There is little doubt that the practical study of the power of messages and the field of communication research grew up together. Summarizing an initially revisionist line of research that has now become accepted within the historiography of the field, Nietzel notes that “from the very beginning, communication research was at least in part designed as an applied science, intended to deliver systematic knowledge that could be used for the business of government to the political authorities.” He adds, however, that

“this context also had its limits, for by the end of the decade, communication research had become established at American universities and lost much of its dependence on state funds. Furthermore, it had become increasingly clear that communication scientists could not necessarily deliver knowledge to the political authorities that could serve as a pattern for political acting (Simpson, 1994 pp. 88–89). From then on, politics and communication science parted ways. Many of the approaches and techniques which seemed innovative and even revolutionary in the 1940s and early 1950s, promising a magic key to managing propaganda activities and controlling public opinion, became routine fields of work, and institutions like the USIA carried out much of this kind of research themselves.” (Nietzel, 2016, p. 66)

It is important to note that this parting of ways did not mean that no one in the United States and the Soviet Union was studying propaganda. American government records document that, in inflation-adjusted terms, total funding for the United States Information Agency (USIA) rose from $1.2 billion in 1955 to $1.7 billion in 1999, shortly before its functions were absorbed into the United States Department of State. And this was dwarfed by Soviet spending, which spent more money jamming Western Radio transmissions alone than the United States did in its entire propaganda budget. Media effects research in the form of propaganda studies was a big and well-funded business. It was simply not treated as such within the traditional academy (Zollman, 2019). It is also important to note that this does not mean that no one in academia studies propaganda or the effect of government messages on willing or unwilling recipients, particularly in fields like health communication (also quite well-funded). These more academic studies, however, were tempered by the generally accepted fact that there existed no decontextualized, universal laws of communication that could render media messages easily useable by interested actors.

Ideology, economics, and false consciousness

If academics have been less interested than governments and health scientists in analyzing the role played by propaganda in the formation of public opinion, what has the academy worried about instead when it comes to the study of pernicious messages and their role in public life? Open dominant, deeply contested line of study has revolved around the concept of ideology. As defined by Raymond Williams in his wonderful Keywords , ideology refers to an interlocking set of ideas, beliefs, concepts, or philosophical principles that are naturalized, taken for granted, or regarded as self-evident by various segments of society. Three controversial and interrelated principles then follow. First, ideology—particularly in its Marxist version—carries with it the implication that these ideas are somehow deceptive or disassociated from what actually exists. “Ideology is then abstract and false thought, in a sense directly related to the original conservative use but with the alternative—knowledge of real material conditions and relationships—differently stated” (Williams, 1976). Second, in all versions of Marxism, ideology is related to economic conditions in some fashion, with material reality, the economics of a situation, usually dominant and helping give birth to ideological precepts. In common Marxist terminology, this is usually described as the relationship between the base (economics and material conditions) and the superstructure (the realm of concepts, culture, and ideas). Third and finally, it is possible that different segments of society will have different ideologies, differences that are based in part on their position within the class structure of that society.

Western Marxism in general (Anderson, 1976) and Antonio Gramsci in particular helped take these concepts and put them on the agenda of media and communications scholars by attaching more importance to “the superstructure” (and within it, media messages and cultural industries) than was the case in earlier Marxist thought. Journalism and “the media” thus play a major role in creating and maintaining ideology and thus perpetuating the deception that underlies ideological operations. In the study of the relationship between the media and ideology, “pernicious messages” obviously mean something different than they do in research on propaganda—a more structural, subtle, reinforcing, invisible, and materially dependent set of messages than is usually the case in propaganda analysis. Perhaps most importantly, little research on media and communication understands ideology in terms of “discrete falsehoods and erroneous belief,” preferring to focus on processes of deep structural misrecognition that serves dominant economic interests (Corner, 2001, p. 526). This obviously marks a difference in emphasis as compared to most propaganda research.

Much like in the study of propaganda, real-world developments have also had an impact on the academic analysis of media ideology. The collapse of communism in the 1980s and 1990s and the rise of neoliberal governance obviously has played a major role in these changes. Although only one amongst a great many debates about the status of ideology in a post-Marxist communications context, the exchange between Corner (2001, 2016) and Downey (2008; Downey et al., 2014) is useful for understanding how scholars have dealt with the relationship between large macro-economic and geopolitical changes in the world and fashions of research within the academy. Regardless of whether concepts of ideology are likely to return to fashion, any analysis of misinformation that is consonant with this tradition must keep in mind the relationship between class and culture, the outstanding and open question of “false consciousness,” and the key scholarly insight that ideological analysis is less concerned with false messages than it is with questions of structural misrecognition and the implications this might have for the maintenance of hegemony.

Postmodern conspiracy

Theorizing pernicious media content as a “conspiracy” theory is less common than either of the two perspectives discussed above. Certainly, conspiratorial media as an explanatory factor for political pathology has something of a post-Marxist (and indeed, postmodern) aura. Nevertheless, there was a period in the 1990s and early 2000s when some of the most interesting notions of conspiracy theories were analyzed in academic work, and it seems hard to deny that much of this literature would be relevant to the current emergence of the “QAnon” cult, the misinformation that is said to drive it, and other even more exotic notions of elites conspiring against the public.

Frederic Jameson has penned remarks on conspiracy theory that represent the starting point for much current writing on the conspiratorial mindset, although an earlier and interrelated vein of scholarship can be found in the work of American writers such as Hofstadter (1964) and Rogin (1986). “Conspiracy is the poor person’s cognitive mapping in the postmodern age,” Jameson writes, “it is a degraded figure of the total logic of late capital, a desperate attempt to represent the latter’s system” (Jameson, 1991). If “postmodernism,” in Jameson’s terms, is marked by a skepticism toward metanarratives, then conspiracy theory is the only narrative system available to explain the various deformations of the capitalist system. As Horn and Rabinach put it:

“The broad interest taken by cultural studies in popular conspiracy theories mostly adopted Jameson’s view and regards them as the wrong answers to the right questions. Showing the symptoms of disorientation and loss of social transparency, conspiracy theorists are seen as the disenfranchised “poor in spirit,” who, for lack of a real understanding of the world they live in, come up with paranoid systems of world explanation.” (Horn & Rabinach, 2008)

Other thinkers, many of them operating from a perch within media studies and communications departments, have tried to take conspiracy theories more seriously (Bratich, 2008; Fenster, 2008; Pratt, 2003; Melley, 2008). The key question for all of these thinkers lies within the debate discussed in the previous section, the degree to which “real material interests” lie behind systems of ideological mystification and whether audiences themselves bear any responsibility for their own predicament. In general, writers sympathetic to Jameson have tended to maintain a Marxist perspective in which conspiracy represents a pastiche of hegemonic overthrow, thus rendering it just another form of ideological false consciousness. Theorists less taken with Marxist categories see conspiracy as an entirely rational (though incorrect) response to conditions of late modernity or even as potentially liberatory. Writers emphasizing that pernicious media content tends to fuel a conspiratorial mindset often emphasize the mediated aspects of information rather than the economics that lie behind these mediations. Both ideological analysis and academic writings on conspiracy theory argue that there is a gap between “what seems to be going on” and “what is actually going on,” and that this gap is maintained and widened by pernicious media messages. Research on ideology tends to see the purpose of pernicious media content as having an ultimately material source that is rooted in “real interests,” while research on conspiracies plays down these class aspects and questions whether any real interests exist that go beyond the exercise of political power.

The needs of informationally ill communities

The current thinking in misinformation studies owes something to all these approaches. But it owes an even more profound debt to two perspectives on information and journalism that emerged in the early 2000s, both of which are indebted to an “ecosystemic” perspective on information flows. One perspective sees information organizations and their audiences as approximating a natural ecosystem, in which different media providers contribute equally to the health of an information environment, which then leads to healthy citizens. The second perspective analyzes the flows of messages as they travel across an information environment, with messages becoming reshaped and distorted as they travel across an information network.

Both of these perspectives owe a debt to the notion of the “informational citizen” that was popular around the turn of the century and that is best represented by the 2009 Knight Foundation report The Information Needs of Communities (Knight Foundation, 2009). This report pioneered the idea that communities were informational communities whose political health depended in large part on the quality of information these communities ingested. Additional reports by The Knight Foundation, the Pew Foundation, and this author (Anderson, 2010) looked at how messages circulated across these communities, and how their transformation impacted community health.

It is a short step from these ecosystemic notions to a view of misinformation that sees it as a pollutant or even a virus (Anderson, 2020), one whose presence in a community turns it toward sickness or even political derangement. My argument here is that the current misinformation perspective owes less to its predecessors (with one key exception that I will discuss below) and more to concepts of information that were common at the turn of the century. The major difference between the concept of misinformation and earlier notions of informationally healthy citizens lies in the fact that the normative standard by which health is understood within information studies is crypto-normative. Where writings about journalism and ecosystemic health were openly liberal in nature and embraced notions of a rational, autonomous citizenry who just needed the right inputs in order to produce the right outputs, misinformation studies has a tendency to embrace liberal behavioralism without embracing a liberal political theory. What the political theory of misinformation studies is, in the end, deeply unclear.

I wrote earlier that misinformation studies owed more to notions of journalism from the turn of the century than it did to earlier traditions of theorizing. There is one exception to this, however. Misinformation studies, like propaganda analysis, is a radically de-structured notion of what information does. Buried within analysis of pernicious information there is

“A powerful cultural contradiction—the need to understand and explain social influence versus a rigid intolerance of the sociological and Marxist perspectives that could provide the theoretical basis for such an understanding. Brainwashing, after all, is ultimately a theory of ideology in the crude Marxian sense of “false consciousness.” Yet the concept of brainwashing was the brainchild of thinkers profoundly hostile to Marxism not only to its economic assumptions but also to its emphasis on structural, rather than individual, causality.” (Melley, 2008, p. 149)

For misinformation studies to grow in such a way that allows it to take its place among important academic theories of media and communication, several things must be done. The field needs to be more conscious of its own history, particularly its historical conceptual predecessors. It needs to more deeply interrogate its informational-agentic concept of what pernicious media content does, and perhaps find room in its arsenal for Marxist notions of hegemony or poststructuralist concepts of conspiracy. Finally, it needs to more openly advance its normative agenda, and indeed, take a normative position on what a good information environment would look like from the point of view of political theory. If this environment is a liberal one, so be it. But this position needs to be stated clearly.

Of course, misinformation studies need not worry about its academic bona fides at all. As the opening pages of this Commentary have shown, propaganda research was only briefly taken seriously as an important academic field. This did not stop it from being funded by the U.S. government to the tune of 1.5 billion dollars a year. While it is unlikely that media research will ever see that kind of investment again, at least by an American government, let’s not forget that geopolitical Great Power conflict has not disappeared in the four years that Donald Trump was the American president. Powerful state forces in Western society will have their own needs, and their own demands, for misinformation research. It is up to the scholarly community to decide how they will react to these temptations.

Mainstream Media
/ Propaganda

Cite this Essay

Anderson, C. W. (2021). Propaganda, misinformation, and histories of media techniques. Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Misinformation Review . https://doi.org/10.37016/mr-2020-64

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Collective Memory of the War In Iraq: An Analysis of Letters to the Editor and Public Opinion Polls, 2003-2008 , Lisa Cash Luedeman

A Framing Analysis and Model of Barack Obama in Political Cartoons , Anthony Palmer

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Do You See What I See?: A Comparative Content Analysis of Iraq War Photographs As Published In the New York Times and the Tehran Times , Garen Cansler

Exploring Intention to Adopt Mobile Tv Services In the U.S.: Toward A New Model With Cognitive-Based and Emotional-Based Constructs , Seoyoon Choi

Media Representations and Implications For Collective Memory: A Grounded Theory Analysis of TV News Broadcasts of Hillary Clinton From 1993-2008 , Mary Elizabeth McLaughlin

Resonance and Elaboration: the Framing Effect of Chinese Product Safety Issue Coverage , Ji Pan

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Open access
Published: 05 September 2023

Mass media impact on opinion evolution in biased digital environments: a bounded confidence model

Valentina Pansanella 1 , 4 ,
Alina Sîrbu 2 ,
Janos Kertesz 3 &
Giulio Rossetti 4

Scientific Reports volume 13 , Article number: 14600 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Complex networks
Computational science
Computer science
Human behaviour

People increasingly shape their opinions by accessing and discussing content shared on social networking websites. These platforms contain a mixture of other users’ shared opinions and content from mainstream media sources. While online social networks have fostered information access and diffusion, they also represent optimal environments for the proliferation of polluted information and contents, which are argued to be among the co-causes of polarization/radicalization phenomena. Moreover, recommendation algorithms - intended to enhance platform usage - likely augment such phenomena, generating the so-called Algorithmic Bias . In this work, we study the effects of the combination of social influence and mass media influence on the dynamics of opinion evolution in a biased online environment, using a recent bounded confidence opinion dynamics model with algorithmic bias as a baseline and adding the possibility to interact with one or more media outlets, modeled as stubborn agents. We analyzed four different media landscapes and found that an open-minded population is more easily manipulated by external propaganda - moderate or extremist - while remaining undecided in a more balanced information environment. By reinforcing users’ biases, recommender systems appear to help avoid the complete manipulation of the population by external propaganda.

A general framework to link theory and empirics in opinion formation models

Ivan V. Kozitsin

Using impression data to improve models of online social influence

Rui Liu, Kevin T. Greene, … V. S. Subrahmanian

Modelling opinion dynamics under the impact of influencer and media strategies

Luzie Helfmann, Nataša Djurdjevac Conrad, … Christof Schütte

Introduction

Opinions and beliefs shape individual behavior, which drives human actions, and a society’s collective behavior, influencing politics, public health, and the environment. Changes in public opinion - even the formation of committed minorities - may profoundly affect decision-making and politics: a recent example is the temporary suspension of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine during March 2021 1 , which has cost a slowdown in the vaccination strategy and had direct consequences on public health. Social interactions 2 are the main ingredient driving the opinion evolution process. According to social influence theory 3 , an interaction between social agents typically reduces the difference between their opinions or, at worst, leaves it unchanged. Besides social influence, opinion formation also depends on the information people collect from external sources (mainly in the form of mass media broadcasts), enhancing awareness of socio-political issues and events 4 , 5 . For instance, traditional mass media have been argued to influence individual and public health 6 , 7 on issues ranging from eating disorders 8 , tobacco consumption 9 , and vaccinations 10 . Moreover, news articles, TV news, and political talk shows all play a central role in shaping opinions, especially when it comes to the communication of political information, which is a key process in the political system, arguably holding the power to manipulate how people think about internal and international politics.

However, media coverage often exhibits an internal bias, reflected in the news and commonly referred to as media bias 11 . Factors influencing this bias include ownership or a specific political or ideological stance of the outlet and its target audience 12 . Media choices can also be influenced by their profit-oriented nature, leading to content selection aligned with the audience’s interests that fuels this profit, disregarding issues and problems (and portions of the population, such as minorities) that would guarantee fewer earnings 13 .

As theoretical studies show, reading news or being the target of mass political propaganda 14 , 15 may affect our belief system. External agents (i.e. a government, a company, or a group of terrorists) may be interested in actively shifting the public’s opinion concerning a specific topic. Propaganda can be exploited to try and promote one opinion over the others 16 , to achieve a certain value for the consensus opinion 17 , or even to prevent people from reaching more extreme opinions 18 . However, when agents have different opinions, a single aggressive media may, in reality, produces an undesired result 19 : an antagonist cluster at the opposite extreme of the opinion spectrum.

Besides the information social agents can access, and how this information is presented to them, a series of internal mechanisms play an important role in shaping opinions and beliefs. The way people process information is, in fact, far from being perfectly rational and is highly influenced by psychological factors and cognitive biases 20 . Psychological studies 21 , 22 have observed that people, both online and offline, feel discomfort when encountering opinions and ideas that contradict their existing beliefs, i.e. experience cognitive dissonance 23 . Such cognitive biases have often been studied through models of bounded confidence 24 , i.e. the tendency to ignore beliefs that are too far from our current ones, or mimicking the backfire effects 25 , i.e. the tendency to reject countering evidence and to strengthen the support to the current belief. When considering cognitive biases, extremist propaganda may become efficient when the message is promoted with a certain frequency 26 . When the propaganda is made on more moderate stances or when the population is more open-minded, the population conforms to the propaganda if the message is delivered frequently enough. When the media landscape is heterogeneous 27 , media outlets can employ different strategies to maximize their audience. For instance, on some issues of general interest, each media outlet tries to imitate successful behaviors (e.g. promoting closer opinions to the most followed media). On other more ideologically charged issues, media outlets may compete (i.e. disagreeing with the other media), promoting thus opinion fragmentation in the population. The presence of repulsive behaviors 28 suggests that propaganda can drive the population to form a consensus around an external message, regardless of whether the message is extreme or moderate: as a result of wanting to be apart, agents end up together sharing the same opinion.

While such a dynamic has always existed, how people retrieve information has profoundly changed in the last twenty years. Television remains the most common media source among Europeans 29 , but the use of the Internet and online social networks (OSNs) is steadily rising alongside the decline of the readership of newspapers. However, OSNs are also environments where individuals express their opinions, discuss, and share content from other sources. These environments are ruled by algorithms that filter and personalize each user’s experience accordingly to their and their friends’ past behavior. This is intended to maximize users’ engagement and enhance platform usage, however it is theorized that filtering algorithms and recommender systems are likely to create an algorithmic bias 30 . By showing people only narratives aligned with their own existing beliefs, a positive feedback loop is obtained, reducing the amount of diversity in the user experience, contributing to the creation and maintenance of echo chambers 31 and filter bubbles 32 , 33 , 34 . Although personalization is essential in information-rich environments (to allow people to find what they are looking for and increase user engagement), there is great concern about the negative consequences of algorithmic filtering. Therefore, understanding how mass media information impacts public opinion and how cognitive and algorithmic biases play a role in social influence mechanisms is essential to enrich our understanding of human behavior and also to define mitigation strategies to avoid unintended consequences.

In this paper, we approach such a goal through the lens of opinion dynamics models 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , a field of study born within the statistical physics area which is now mainly studied through the lens of computational social sciences. Indeed, the possible effects of mass media have been widely investigated through such models 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 18 , 26 , 27 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 . However, to the best of ourknowledge, none of these works combine the role of online platforms and algorithmic biases with different possible media landscapes. The present work aims to analyze the effects of different mass media landscapes - ranging from extremist propaganda to a more balanced opinion diet - in a synthetic environment, simulating a general OSN where agents can interact with each other, but interactions are always mediated by a recommender system, selecting content aligned with agent beliefs. To investigate the role of mass media in shaping public opinion, we extended the Algorithmic Bias model 30 (which, in turn, extends the Deffuant-Weisbuch one 24 ), adding the possibility to specify a number of external mass media agents, defining the opinions they promote, and the frequency of agent-media interactions. We conducted numerical simulations to examine this extended model and analyzed the outcomes within the context of mean-field scenarios. Furthermore, we present a case study on a real-world network, illustrating how this model effectively captures a behavior that the baseline model fails to capture.

The present work aims to extend the Algorithmic Bias model 30 to understand how interacting with mass media in a biased environment (i.e. ruled by recommender systems and filtering algorithms) influence the outcome of the opinion evolution. In our simulations, we consider 100 agents with continuous opinions in the interval [0, 1], which can model opinions on any issue, with values 0 and 1 representing the most extreme opinions. The agents are allowed to interact with each other at discrete time intervals and with a fixed number of M stubborn agents, representing traditional media outlets that promote a fixed opinion over the whole time period. To represent this environment realistically, interactions (agent-to-agent and media-to-agent) are subject to cognitive and algorithmic biases. The stronger the algorithmic bias, $\gamma$ , the higher the probability of interacting with similar agents and the lower the probability of interacting with different ones. Cognitive bias - specifically bounded confidence - limits interaction to an agent’s opinion neighborhood: two agents influence each other (according to social influence theory, adopting their mean opinion) if and only if their initial opinion distance is below a certain threshold $\epsilon$ . This parameter is constant across the whole population and over time. In the reminder of the present work we often refer to it as the level of “open-mindedness” of the population because bounded confidence and open-mindedness both involve a willingness to consider different perspectives within certain limits. On the other hand, influenciability refers to being easily swayed by others, regardless of the strength of their arguments. Thus, we felt that open-mindedness was a more appropriate term for describing the bounded confidence threshold in our paper (for example as in 48 ). However, it’s important to note that in opinion dynamics models, behavioral and psychological factors are often simplified and represented by model parameters. As a result, nuances can be lost and the bounded confidence threshold could also be interpreted as influenciability. To control the frequency of interactions with the media, we set a fixed probability $p_m$ - constant over time and across the whole population - which defines how likely it is to interact with a news piece (stubborn agent) after a user-to-user interaction. In our experiments, we assumed a mean-field context (e.g. all individuals can interact with all other agents without any social restrictions), which is a good starting point for analyzing the behavior of an opinion dynamics model. The model is detailed in Sect. " Model and methods ".

The scenarios we analyzed in the present work are (i) a single moderate media ( $x_m = 0.5$ ), to discover whether a “moderate message” would prevent the population from polarising in cases where it would happen without propaganda; (ii) extremist propaganda, where there is only one news source promoting a fixed extreme opinion (in this case, it was set to $x_m = 0.0$ , but the same conclusions hold for 1.0); (iii) two polarised media sources, promoting two opinions at the opposite sides of the opinion spectrum ( $x_{m1} = 0.05 \text { and } x_{m2} = 0.95$ ); (iv) finally, we also investigated a more balanced scenario where there are two polarised media sources (same as above) and a moderate one (promoting the central opinion of the spectrum, i.e. $x_{m3}=0.5$ ).

Without external effects, the population tends to: (i) polarise around moderately extreme positions (i.e. 0.2 and 0.8) when agents are “close-minded” ( $\epsilon \le 0.32$ ); (ii) reach consensus around the mean opinion (i.e. 0.5) when agents are “open-minded” ( $\epsilon > 0.32$ ), while the recommender system increases polarization/fragmentation, as shown in 30 .

In the remainder of this section, we analyzed these four different media landscapes and their effects on the opinion dynamics compared to the baseline model 30 .

A moderate media in a biased environment favors the emergence of extremist minorities

Average number of clusters in the moderate setting. In the figure, the average number of clusters of the final opinion distribution is represented as a function of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ and the probability of user-media interaction $p_m$ for different bounded confidence values $\epsilon$ . Values are averaged on 100 independent runs of each setting.

Average percentage of agents in the media cluster (0.5) in the moderate setting. In the figure, the average percentage of agents in the moderate cluster (0.5 +– 0.01) of the final opinion distribution is represented as a function of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ and the probability of user-media interaction $p_m$ for different bounded confidence values $\epsilon$ . Values are averaged on 100 independent runs of each setting.

In the first setting, we analyzed the effects of a “moderate message” on the opinion formation process, i.e. a single mass media promoting a central opinion ( $x_m = 0.5$ ). We start from the hypothesis that such a media landscape may counteract the polarizing effects of a low bounded confidence $\epsilon$ or the fragmenting effects of a high algorithmic bias $\gamma$ . Bounded confidence, as in the baseline model, can be so high that all agents are eventually drawn towards the same opinion (regardless of the strength of algorithmic bias), as in the case of $\epsilon =0.5$ (Fig. 1 d). In general, in this setting, both cognitive and algorithmic biases maintain the effects they have in the baseline model: a higher confidence bound is more likely to push the population towards consensus, while a higher algorithmic bias increases the level of fragmentation in the final opinion distribution.

What emerged from our simulations is that, when interactions are not mediated by the recommender system ( $\gamma =0$ ), fragmentation increases with the frequency of agent-to-media interactions: in fact, the average number of opinion clusters at equilibrium (see Fig. 1 ) increases with ( $p_m$ ). Such tendency is due to the fact that, by increasing $p_m$ , the portion of the population which initially has the media within their confidence bound moves towards such opinion faster than in the baseline model , thus reducing the probability of attracting agents at a distance greater than $\epsilon$ from the media that, in turn, will eventually stabilize around more extreme positions. When the social dynamic is, instead, mediated by a filtering algorithm, biasing the choice of the interacting partner towards like-minded individuals, the level of opinion fragmentation in the population is initially lower (for small $p_m$ ) with respect to the baseline model ( $p_m=0.0$ ), but - likewise - it grows as agent-to-media interactions become more frequent. These results disprove our initial hypothesis that a “moderate” propaganda may straightforwardly counter polarization/fragmentation. Instead, promoting a single “moderate” opinion may not push the population to conform towards the desired point of view. Fragmentation is reduced only when the frequency of interaction with media is low. Otherwise, it also becomes a fragmenting factor.

Besides the number of clusters that coexist in the stable state, if we look at the whole opinion evolution process, we can see that there is always a portion of the population clustering around the media opinion (i.e. with opinion $x_i \in [0.5 +/- 0.01]$ , while a small fraction assumes extremist positions. Figure 2 shows this cluster’s population percentage. The more open-minded the population and the higher the frequency of agent-to-media interactions, the larger the portion of agents that the media can rapidly attract towards the average opinion: thus, pushing the population towards consensus and countering the slowing down effect created by the algorithmic bias. Moreover, as we can see from Fig. 2 , while in the baseline model, only a narrow portion of the population assumes the mean opinion, when a moderate media is promoting that opinion, we can see that the portion of the population ending in the moderate cluster in the steady state grows even with just a low probability to interact with the media and narrow open-mindedness threshold. Therefore, while consensus is not fully reached, a major cluster around the media is observed. Conversely, in the case of media absence ( $p_m=0.0$ ), there is a higher variability in the final size of the moderate cluster. Even when a consensus forms, it is not necessarily around the mean opinion. Otherwise, the population polarizes around mildly extreme ones (around 0.2 and 0.8), avoiding the creation and maintenance of strongly extremist minorities, as it happens in the present model (see Supplementary Materials Figs. S8 – S11 ).

However, when interactions are mediated by a filtering algorithm - $\gamma > 0$ , the media can attract a smaller fraction of the population since agents holding more extreme opinions are much less likely to interact with those in the sphere of influence of the moderate media. Overall, our experiments showed that the algorithmic bias maintains its fragmenting power: specifically, as the bias grows, the extremist clusters that coexist with the moderate one increase in size, but also in dispersion, eventually splitting into multiple smaller clusters. At the same time, the fragmenting effect of the recommender system decreases the size of the moderates/neutrals cluster, especially in the case of moderately close-minded populations (Fig. 2 ), but not in a significant way (at least with the population size considered in the present work). We include in the Supplementary Materials a comprehensive analysis of results of simulations with different parameter settings.

Extremist media shifts consensus in open-minded populations

Average number of clusters in the extremist setting. In the figure, the average number of clusters of the final opinion distribution is represented as a function of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ and the probability of user-media interaction $p_m$ for different values of $\epsilon$ . Values are averaged on 100 independent runs of each setting.

Average percentage of agents in the media cluster (0.0) in the extremist setting. In the figure, the average percentage of users in the extremist cluster ([0.0, 0.01]) is represented as a function of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ and the probability of user-media interaction $p_m$ for different values of $\epsilon$ . Values are averaged on 100 independent runs of each setting.

To investigate the effects of extremist propaganda and its effectiveness in shifting the consensus towards the desired opinion, we set the number of mass media outlets to $M=1$ and the promoted opinion to $x_m=0.0$ .

Like in the moderate setting, the baseline model’s cognitive and algorithmic biases effects also remain in this setting. In the same way, an increase in the frequency of interaction with extremist propaganda (when $\gamma =0$ ) translates into an increase in the fragmentation of the final population. The number of clusters of the final opinion distributions, in fact, grows with $p_m$ (Fig. 3 ). For example, when the population is close-minded ( $\epsilon =0.2$ ), in the absence of propaganda ( $p_m=0$ ), in the final state, there are two main clusters (on average), while as $p_m$ increases, the number of clusters approaches 3. In the same way, as the population is more “open-minded” - so the number of clusters in the baseline model is lower - interacting with the propaganda still generates an increase in the number of clusters (moving the population from consensus around one opinion to clustering around two opinion values for $\epsilon =0.3$ and also $\epsilon =0.4$ , even if in this case on average there is a consistent majority cluster). Despite the fact that an extreme opinion is promoted (while, without external effects, agents tend to conform to moderate positions), in this case, bounded confidence or, in other words, the level of “open-mindedness” of the population, can be so high that all agents are eventually drawn towards the same opinion, as in the case of $\epsilon =0.5$ (Fig. 3 d). This fact still holds when the interactions are mediated by a recommender system ( $\gamma > 0$ ), biasing the choice of the interacting partner towards like-minded individuals, but it is less evident due to the fragmenting power of the algorithmic bias. For example, when the population is close-minded, we tend to have an average of three or four clusters in a biased environment.

It is important to note that, compared to the moderate situation, the fragmenting effect of the external media is stronger for an extremist message. The number of clusters reported in Fig. 1 is generally smaller than that reported in Fig. 3 .

In the present model, differently from the baseline 30 , i.e. $p_m=0.0$ , the population splits into more than one cluster when $\gamma > 0$ and $\epsilon$ is sufficiently low. One of these clusters always forms around the extreme media opinion ( $x_m=0.0$ ) while - as the bias grows - the rest of the population either clusters around a single value on the opposite side of the opinion spectrum or fragments into multiple small clusters (and their distance from the extremist propaganda increases with the open-mindedness of the population). This effect is stronger as the algorithmic bias increases and as the frequency of interaction with the media grows. In the case of extremist propaganda, as we can expect, a higher portion of the population in the stable state is an extremist, holding the same opinion promoted by the media (see Fig. 4 ). Additionally, the higher the open-mindedness of the population, i.e. the higher the confidence bound $\epsilon$ , the higher the dimension of the extremist cluster - until ( $\epsilon \ge 0.5$ ) the population is entirely attracted towards this extreme position (Fig. 4 d). However, as the bias increases, the final number of opinion clusters increases, and the average number of agents in the extremist cluster decreases: the fact that algorithmic bias increases fragmentation in the population causes - in this case - the formation and maintenance of an “opposition” cluster (see also Figs. S18 – S21 in the Supplementary Materials), countering the process of complete radicalization of the population. As the bias increases, of course, this cluster becomes more dispersed with respect to its average opinion, and for extreme biases, it fragments into a series of small opinion clusters. Therefore we can conclude that algorithmic bias acts as a partial protector against the message of one extremist media.

It is also worth noticing that, with $p_m > 0$ , all other parameters being equal, the size of the extremist cluster does not increase with the probability of interaction with the media; on the contrary, the maximum size is reached for low or intermediate values of $p_m$ (see Fig. 4 ). Also, in this case, such behavior is tied to the fact that, even if the frequency of interaction with the media increases, those agents that initially are within the sphere of influence of the media will converge towards an extremist position more rapidly, thus losing the ability to attract those who are outside of it. When dealing with close-minded agents, less frequent propaganda can attract a higher fraction of the population with respect to more intense propaganda. If the population is open-minded, the frequency of interactions with the media loses most of its discriminant power: if at least half of the agents are already initially influenceable by the media, the whole population will converge towards the media opinion.

Polarised media increase the divide

Average number of clusters in the polarised setting. In the figure, the average number of clusters of the final opinion distribution is represented as a function of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ and the probability of user-media interaction $p_m$ for different values of the cognitive bias $\epsilon$ . Values are averaged on 100 independent runs of each setting.

Public debates are often characterized by bi-polarity, a situation where two opposing views are proposed and debated. For example, media polarization in the U.S. has increased in the past half-decade, and both liberal and conservative partisan media are likely contributing to polarization in the Cable news networks 49 . While acknowledging that our synthetic setting represents a simplification of the complex dynamics at play, it nevertheless presents a scenario that merits further investigation. To recreate such a scenario - even if simplistically -, we simulated the presence of two extremist media outlets in the population, promoting opinions at the opposite sides of the opinion spectrum, - i.e. we set $x_{m1} = 0.05$ and $x_{m2}=0.95$ . As expected, the presence of two polarised media increases the system’s polarization, which would already naturally arise due to the effects of the cognitive and algorithmic biases ( $\epsilon \le 0.3$ ), but the presence of the media pushes the population towards the media opinions - which are more extreme than the ones that naturally form in the baseline model (see Fig. 5 a,b and Fig. S24 in the Supplementary Materials). The presence of these two media, moreover, can bring the population towards polarization/fragmentation even in cases where the baseline model would predict full consensus ( $\epsilon =0.4$ ), a fragmentation exacerbated by the recommender system effects (see Fig. 5 c,d). On the other hand, in “close-minded” populations, the byproduct of agent-to-media interactions increasing the number of opinion clusters is that the rapid polarization of the extremes of the population results in the formation of a cluster of “moderate” agents, coexisting with polarized groups. On the one hand, this reduces the level of polarization in the population with respect to the baseline model. On the other hand, the polarized subpopulations are more extremist than in the baseline. As the filtering power of the recommender system increases, such a moderate cluster splits into multiple small ones, still concentrated around the center of the opinion spectrum (see Figs. S29 – S32 in the Supplementary Materials for an example of the opinion evolution). Moreover, as the algorithmic bias grows, the two extremist clusters reduce their sizes, and more agents become neutral, even if they hold a wider range of opinions. This is because a reduced fraction of agents interacts with extremist media and/or peers that end up in the extremist cluster early in the process. Therefore, they cannot attract a more significant portion of the population with respect to the case where the filtering power of the recommender system is more robust. As the open-mindedness of the population grows, an increasingly stronger algorithmic bias is needed to maintain the moderate cluster, and, in most cases, the population tends to polarise, with the two sub-populations approaching the media opinions. The population is, in this scenario, ultimately radicalized around very extreme positions (0.05 or 0.95), similar to the case of a single extreme media. Finally, the recommender system makes the polarization process faster than what was observed in the baseline model, allowing fewer opinion clusters to coexist during the opinion dynamics.

Open-minded populations are unstable in a balanced media landscape

Average number of clusters in the balanced setting. In the figure, the average number of clusters of the final opinion distribution is represented as a function of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ and the probability of user-media interaction $p_m$ for different $\epsilon$ values. Values are averaged on 100 independent runs of each setting.

In the last setting, we considered a more balanced information environment, with the presence of two extremist media in the population, promoting opinions at the opposite sides of the opinion spectrum, - i.e. we set $x_{m1} = 0.05$ and $x_{m2}=0.95$ , alongside with a moderate media, with $x_{m3}=0.5$ . In this setting, agents can retrieve from mass media both moderate and extremist points of view.

This more balanced news diet appears to still foster fragmentation. In fact, the higher the frequency of agent-to-media interactions, the more fragmented is the final population, as we can see from the average number of opinion clusters in the final population, which grows with $p_m$ (Fig. 6 ) and from the average pairwise distance, indicating how far are the peaks in the final opinion distribution (see Fig. S35 in the Supplementary Materials).

In this case, the algorithmic bias maintains its fragmenting power for a close-minded population (i.e. $\epsilon \le 0.3$ ). As the bias grows, the number of clusters increases, but it never exceeds three (Fig. 6 a,b) since the population tends to rapidly converge towards the media opinions (see Figs. S42 – S45 in the Supplementary Materials). The combination of a higher frequency of agent-to-media interactions, and the fact that interactions are biased towards similar opinions, allows each media to rapidly attract a portion of the population towards the promoted opinion.

On the other hand, in open-minded populations, $\epsilon \ge 0.4$ , the relationship with the bias changes: from our experiments, it emerged that fragmentation is higher for low (Fig. 6 c) or intermediate (Fig. 6 d) values of the algorithmic bias $\gamma$ , as the number of clusters in the final opinion distribution shows.

However, due to a stronger bias, the fragmentation that arises in the final state is not like the one reached in 30 . In that case, it was a stable state. In this case, the dynamic never reaches equilibrium, and agents keep changing their opinions influenced by the fixed opinions of the media. Nevertheless, in the cases where consensus can be reached, if open-mindedness is high, the dynamic is still unstable, and it takes a long time for the population to reach a consensus. Let us recall that the distance between two adjacent media is 0.45, so when $\epsilon =0.4$ agents holding an opinion between 0.10 and 0.45 or between 0.55 and 0.9 can be attracted by the moderate media and one extremist media that falls within their confidence bound and this generates an unstable stationary state preventing the system from reaching equilibrium. Obviously, the higher the open-mindedness, the higher the number of clusters (and the average entropy of the final distribution) since agents are distributed on a wider opinion spectrum, and real clusters do not form. This effect is counteracted by a high algorithmic bias, which practically impedes the interaction with the furthest media, even if in the range of the confidence bound.

Algorithmic bias depolarizes discussion on EURO2020 “taking the knee” controversy

Joint distribution of the opinion of users and average leaning of their neighborhood. We display the first snapshot $G_0$ (initial matches)( a ); the second snapshot $G_1$ (quarter-finals to final) ( b ); the final state of the simulation of the Algorithmic Bias Model with Mass Media and Heterogeneous Confidence Bounds with $p_m=0.5$ , $\gamma =1.5$ and $x_m=0.87$ ( c ); and the final state of the simulation of the Algorithmic Bias Model with Mass Media and Heterogeneous Confidence Bounds with $p_m=0.5$ , $\gamma =1.5$ and $x_m=0.28$ ( d ).

Despite trying to capture possible real dynamics with mathematical models of opinion formation, such synthetic settings may fail to capture peculiar characteristics of real networks, e.g. scale-free degree distributions and modular structures, but also polarized initial conditions, which may characterize discussions around controversial topics. Such diverse conditions may lead to different conclusions than the ones obtained in the mean-field case. For this reason, we exploited an empirical network collected from Twitter during EURO2020, where Italian users expressed their stances on the controversy around taking the knee in favor of the Black Lives Matter protests 50 . We simulated our model using this network as starting condition (both topology and initial opinion distribution) for different values of the model’s parameters. We include the results of simulations of the various settings in the Supplementary Materials, while here we discuss the most important ones. Our findings suggest that consensus may be reached in the final state when considering a homogeneous confidence threshold in scenarios with no media present or only a single media source. Even if such results are not averaged over multiple runs, these results may imply that scale-free degree distributions and modular topologies enhance consensus when the population has a homogeneous level of bounded confidence that is not lower than 0.2. However, an exception arises when there are no media sources, and a parameter value of $\gamma$ =1.5 is applied. In this case, the final opinion distribution becomes fragmented, characterized by two main clusters centered around the average leaning of the “pro” faction and the average leaning of the “against” faction (see Supplementary Figs. 51 – 54 ). In this case, the bias may be too strong for users to converge toward a common opinion. When two polarized media sources are introduced (see Supplementary Fig. 55 ), opinions are concentrated around a moderate opinion in the final distributions. It exhibits a Gaussian shape, suggesting that the population tends to converge towards a common opinion in this case too. However, the presence of polarized media may keep users leaning toward more extreme positions. Adding a “moderate” media to this scenario, our observations reveal that the final opinion distribution remains symmetric and peaked around the center of the opinion spectrum. However, the distribution variance decreases compared to the previous scenario, i.e. people tend to homologate even more around a single opinion value, and variability is reduced. Furthermore, as the bias ( $\gamma$ ) increases, the variance continues to decrease, and for $\gamma =1.0$ , a single main opinion cluster emerges in the final state. Nevertheless, if the bias increases, e.g. $\gamma =1.5$ , the final distribution splits into distinct opinion clusters centered around the media opinion. Moreover, since assumptions of homogeneous parameters are considered unrealistic, we exploited a methodology developed in 51 to estimate user-level open-mindedness ( $\epsilon _i$ ) and simulated a heterogeneous extension of our model. We include the results of simulations of this second set of experiments in the Supplementary Materials (see Supplementary Figs. 58 – 63 ), while here we discuss the most important ones. As displayed in Fig. 7 a, users were embedded into echo chambers around pro and against stances on the discussion during the first two matches. However, when considering the period from the quarter-finals to the final (Fig. 7 b), the same users are mainly clustered around positions in favor of kneeling, and polarization appears to be reduced. Simulations of our model, which exploits the first network as initial conditions of the simulations and accounts for heterogeneous levels of the confidence threshold estimated from the data according to the procedure in 51 , appear to confirm some of the insights offered by the mean-field analysis on the complete network with homogeneous parameters. The main conclusion that also holds in a real setting is that the algorithmic bias favors opinion fragmentation but, in doing so, helps to reduce the level of polarization of the network (see Fig. 7 c and d) when there is an external source (or even a highly influential user) promoting one stance over the other. However, the setting that better captures the real opinion evolution can be seen in Fig. 7 d, where a stubborn agent is promoting a fixed opinion aligned with the stance in favor of players “taking the knee”. However, in Fig. 7 c, where the media is aligned with the opposite stance, the community that becomes less polarized is the other one, differently from the real situation.

A bounded confidence model of opinion dynamics with algorithmic bias and mass media agents was presented and studied in a mean-field setting. The model is an extension of the Algorithmic Bias model 30 to include one or more mass media outlets. In the present work, media are modeled as stubborn agents, each promoting a fixed opinion and connected to every agent of the population. We analyzed four different settings, each representing a specific media landscape: in the first, a single moderate media is present; in the second, the single media supports extremist propaganda; in the third, two polarised media promote extreme and opposite opinions; and in the latter, a third media, promoting a moderate opinion, is added to the polarised setting. Our experiments reveal that mass media have an essential role in pushing people towards conformity and promoting the desired point(s) of view, but not in a straightforward manner, as adherence to the media message depends highly on cognitive and algorithmic bias and on the strength of the media itself. As we saw in the “moderate setting” (Sect. " Results "), an open-minded population tends to conform to moderate opinions, and only a few individuals will not. The main result of the “moderate message” is concentrating the central consensus cluster around the desired value. As expected, the size of the non-conforming clusters increases with algorithmic bias and decreases with open-mindedness. However, the size of the extremist nonconforming clusters also appears to increase in the strength of the moderate message. This is counterintuitive and indicates that, in general, not only the message has to be moderate, but also the frequency with which the message is presented has to be reduced. Moderation is necessary for all aspects to maximize adherence to the message.

Analyzing the results of the “extremist propaganda”, we saw that the power to push individuals towards the media opinion is not dependent on such opinion. In this case, the open-minded population tends to become extremist because agents are pushed toward the media opinion and conform to that value. Again, we observe that the maximum adherence to the media message is always obtained for moderate frequencies of interaction with media.

In a polarised media landscape, with two poles promoting extreme and opposite opinions, the more “open-minded” is the population - or, in other words, the easier it is to change peoples’ minds - the more likely the population will end up in one or two (oppositely) polarised extremist clusters. Also, in such a scenario, even when there would be a consensus around a moderate opinion, a higher frequency of interaction with the two extremist media is enough to push the population towards polarised stances, with two clusters forming around the media opinions.

In a balanced media landscape, when populations are close-minded, the more agents interact with mass media, the more they attract a portion of the population towards the promoted opinion. The effects of cognitive biases, i.e. bounded confidence, generally maintain the same role they have in the baseline model: the more “open-minded” is the population, the easier agents conform around the promoted opinion(s). However, when agents have access to multiple information sources (besides their peers’ opinions), “open-mindedness” leads to a population of indecisive individuals and unstable dynamics that prevent the system from reaching equilibrium.

Real network structures, characterized by scale-free degree distributions, modular structures, and polarized initial conditions, clearly impact the results of the dynamics of the present model. When open-mindedness is homogeneous across the population, users tend to converge towards a single opinion value, which depends on the initial average opinion and the opinion promoted by a single media. When the media landscape is more heterogeneous, i.e. media supporting two opposite stances, the population still tends to conform to a moderate stance. However, the final distribution has a higher variability, with some users maintaining more extreme leanings. Such variability is reduced when the media landscape actively promotes more moderate stances. In the case study, cognitive biases do not play a role in the result of the dynamics, while the role of the algorithmic bias remains the same as in the baseline model. However, when inferring open-mindedness levels from empirical data and using the real distribution of the parameter to simulate the model, results show final polarization distribution closer to the real ones, and the depolarizing role of the algorithmic bias emerges. Specifically, the real final state is well approximated by the setting where there is a recommender system biasing interactions and a mass media promoting an opinion aligned with the “pro-taking-the-knee” faction.

We typically give a positive value to a highly open-minded population, i.e. a population where agents have a high confidence bound. However, a higher open-mindedness in the presence of mass media may mean that the whole population is attracted to an extremist position, as we saw in the case of extremist propaganda or two polarised media. Even if the media is not extremist - it still means that the population conforms towards a single point of view, converging faster and perfectly towards a single opinion value, making agents subject to external control by those who can manipulate the information delivered by the media. Similarly, we usually give a positive value to the final consensus setting. However, as we already said, consensus also means conformity, homologation to a standard, which may be imposed from the outside and manipulated through media control to achieve the goals of those in power and hardly the optimal situation for our societies and democracies.

The large amount of research that has focused on detecting the strength and the effects of recommender systems and algorithmic biases moves from the idea that the presence of such biases traps users into echo chambers and/or filter bubbles, preventing them from getting confronted with a balanced information diet and thus polarising/fragmenting the population into a series of opinion clusters that do not communicate. Even though this is still far from being proven, even if we assume that this effect is true, it is worth asking ourselves whether this always has a negative effect. For example, from our work, it emerged that the presence of a recommender system alongside a moderate message facilitates the emergence and maintenance of extremist minorities, which coexist with a group of moderates. However, both a lower confidence bound, $\epsilon$ , and a higher algorithmic bias, $\gamma$ , when acting in a context where there is extremist propaganda or two polarised extremist media, avoid the complete radicalization/extremization of the whole population and counter the complete polarization by favoring the presence of a moderate cluster in both cases. We also observed that the recommender system facilitates convergence in a balanced setting where the population is open-minded. Indeed, it prevents the dynamic from being completely unstable - i.e. avoiding agents continuously changing their opinion and never reaching a stable state due to the presence of conflicting sources.

It is important to acknowledge that the identified effect of a recommender system is one of the potential outcomes, as also demonstrated through experiments conducted on a real network where two echo chambers were present. However, comprehending the full range of effects resulting from the actions of a recommender system involves considering multiple factors. Notably, this paper did not delve into the discussion of how incorporating the backfire effect 52 (that can be seen as a kind of confirmation bias), in addition to bounded confidence, could potentially lead to increased polarization and contradict the original intentions of the approach, which aim to depolarize. Theoretical studies that assess the impact of recommender systems and design them with various objective functions to reduce polarization 53 , 54 often overlook the consequences arising from the interplay of different cognitive biases. Consequently, while we have numerous theoretical findings, their validity hinges on understanding how users interact with information and modify their opinions. Hence, insights into user behavior and opinion changes are vital. This, for example, motivated our investigation in 51 to uncover the levels of cognitive biases exhibited by users within this discourse.

The present work is a preliminary step toward analyzing the interplay of social and media influence in digital environments and presents several limitations. We focused on mean-field scenarios, which prevents us from considering possible network effects on the results of the opinion evolution process. While this is a sound starting point, the obtained insights must be tested against different network structures or real networks to employ the proposed model to analyze and understand reality fruitfully. Moreover, social connections change in real settings, influencing subsequent interactions and opinion exchanges. As we did in 55 , 56 for the Algorithmic Bias model, network effects should be taken into account: greater sparsity in the underlying network structures appears to promote polarization and fragmentation in the Algorithmic Bias model, and it is possible that a similar effect may be observed in the model presented in this study.

We also saw in 55 that mesoscale structure may promote different outcomes on the dynamic based on the different initial conditions. Here, we studied this model on a real network that exhibits two polarized communities. Experiments suggest that this may favor consensus even for lower confidence threshold levels. In order to verify this hypothesis, more convergence analysis needs to be performed on different modular networks and with different initial conditions. The present model could then be studied on adaptive network topologies to understand the interplay of the dynamics on/of the network. Moreover, in our work, bias has a role in the choice of the media only when in the presence of two or more sources. Even in the presence of a single externally promoted opinion, some agents who are too far away from that position may still have a small probability of interacting with it. To account for such a pattern, the probability of interacting with the media - which is now homogeneous across the whole population - could be made heterogeneous and dependent on the distance between the agent’s opinion and the promoted opinion and heterogeneous levels of agents engagement with mass media can be integrated within the model. Although all the different models demonstrate that an open-minded population can reach a consensus on all issues, it is an unrealistic assumption. Regardless of how open-minded they may be, each user will still have an inherent preference towards one side of the opinion spectrum. To address this, we propose extending the current model to incorporate a baseline opinion that consistently influences the user in that direction. Finally, as we saw in 51 , real populations may have heterogeneous (opinion-dependent) levels of “open-mindedness”, which could be taken into account to specify agents’ peculiarities better (as we did within the case study on the Twitter EURO2020 network), as well as heterogeneous activity levels as in 57 . Similarly to “open-mindedness” and activity levels, we plan to augment the current model with data-driven insights on media bias and user interactions with mass media and authoritative voices via online social networks. This will enable us to understand better the long-term impact of such interactions and how their influence differs from that of peers. One missing aspect in this context is undoubtedly a “dynamic” behavior from users, including the creation/destruction of links and the evolution of $\epsilon$ and $p_m$ with increasing/decreasing polarization. Additionally, there needs to be more evolution in the media’s behavior or a more realistic user-media relationship. The media should be aware of the cognitive biases of their users, and not all media outlets have the entire population as their audience. The more polarized the media are, the more likely they are followed by only a portion of the already aligned population, thereby promoting ideas aligned with that population segment. Another aspect not considered is that in a real setting, the “media” or stubborn agents may not be mainstream media with which everyone can interact but specific influential users within the network. This model would need to be adapted in such a scenario, considering that these stubborn agents are no longer connected to the entire population but only to certain nodes. Furthermore, the nodes they are connected to might depend on the opinions of those nodes and the opinions they promote. While our model has some drawbacks, as discussed above, it also has some advantages: it is simple, it can be tested on various topologies, it considers psychological, technological, and external factors, and it allows for flexibility in the number and opinions of the media.

Model and methods

To introduce in the study of opinion dynamics the idea of a recommender system generating an algorithmic bias, the classical Deffuant-Weisbuch model 24 was extended previously, implementing the Algorithmic Bias model (or AB model, hereafter) 58 . Our work is an extension of the AB model to include external information. In this section, we will first describe the AB model briefly before detailing our extension.

The algorithmic bias model

In the AB model, we have a population of N agents, where each agent i has a continuous opinion $x_{i} \in [0,1]$ . At every discrete time step, the model randomly selects a user pair ( i , j ), and if their opinion distance is lower than a predefined threshold $\epsilon$ , $|x_{i} - x_{j}| \le \epsilon$ , then the two agents change their opinion according to the following rule:

The parameter $\epsilon \in [0,1]$ represents the confidence bound of the population, which is assumed to be constant and equal for all agents. Individuals can only be influenced by those with similar opinions; a population with a low $\epsilon$ is said to be closed-minded; a high $\epsilon$ , on the other hand, describes an open-minded population since it allows agents to influence each other even if their initial opinions are far away. The parameter $\mu \in (0, 0.5]$ is a convergence parameter, modeling the strength of the influence the two individuals have on each other or, in other words, how much they change their opinion after the interaction. Even if there is no reason to assume that $\epsilon$ and $\mu$ should be constant across the population or at least symmetrical in the binary encounters, these parameters are always considered equal for every agent.

The dynamics described above are those of the Deffuant-Weisbuch model, well known and studied by the opinion dynamics community. The numerical simulations of this model show that the qualitative dynamic is dependent on $\epsilon$ : as $\epsilon$ grows, the number of final opinion clusters decreases. As for $\mu$ and N , these parameters influence only the time to convergence and the final opinion distribution width.

The AB model is different in how the interacting pair is randomly selected. It introduces another parameter to model the algorithmic bias: $\gamma \ge 0$ . This parameter represents the filtering power of a generic recommendation algorithm: if it is close to 0, the agent has the same probability of interacting with all its peers. As $\gamma$ grows, so does the probability of interacting with agents holding similar opinions, while the likelihood of interacting with those who have distant opinions decreases. Therefore, this extended model modifies the rule to choose the interacting pair ( i , j ) to simulate a filtering algorithm’s presence. An agent i is randomly picked from the population, while j is chosen from i ’s peers according to the following rule:

where $d_{ij} = |x_{i}-x_{j}|$ is the opinion distance between agents i and j . For $\gamma = 0$ the model is equivalent to the DW-model.

Example of agent-to agent and agent-to-media interaction with $\gamma =0.5$ and $\epsilon =0.3$ . In the example, an agent with opinion 0.7 has a different probability to choose one of the four neighbors, represented by the thickness of the arrows in the figure. After changing opinions, due to the peer-to-peer interaction, the target agent chooses to interact with one of the three media, with a probability $p_m$ . The choice of which media to interact with is determined according to $\gamma$ , in the same way as in the social interaction: the higher the bias $\gamma$ , the higher the probability to interact with a media promoting a closer opinion to the current one of the agent. If the media falls within the agent’s confidence bound $\epsilon$ , the agent averages his opinion with the one of the media; otherwise, nothing happens. The media opinion, instead, remains unchanged.

The algorithmic bias model with mass media agents

We now present our extension of the AB model, tailored to analyze the effects of mass media propaganda. We chose to model mass media as stubborn agents connected to everyone in the population, i.e. agents whose opinions remain fixed during the dynamic process and can interact with the whole population. This choice simplifies real-world media outlets that may instead change the promoted point of view, being influenced by public opinion or politics. However, we assume that our analysis is temporally constrained and that such changes are unlikely. A completely mixed population model that every individual can use any media - offline and online - as an information source. The fact that individuals often have a limited set of sources among which they choose is due mainly to cognitive and technological biases, which effects we are trying to capture with this model. Finally, we allow an arbitrary number of media sources M instantiated with custom opinion distribution $X_M$ to explore different scenarios in the present model.

To regulate the interactions with media outlets, we added another parameter, namely $p_m \in [0, 1]$ , which indicates the probability that during each iteration of the model simulation - in addition to interacting with a peer - each agent interacts with a media $j \in M$ - always selected according to Eq. ( 2 ). So at each step, t , a peer-to-peer interaction takes place - as in the AB model - and with probability $p_m$ , the selected agent interacts with a news source.

When two agents interact, their opinions change if and only if the distance between their opinions is less than the parameter $\epsilon$ , i.e. $|x_{i}-x_{j}| \le \epsilon$ , according to Eq. ( 1 ). However, when agent j is a mass media, only the opinion $x_i$ changes. Figure 8 illustrates an example of an interaction (both agent-to-agent and agent-to-media) and its effects on the node’s opinion in the presented model.

To conduct our experiments, we implemented the AB model with mass media within the NDlib 59 Python library. This library has many opinion dynamics and epidemic models and a large user base. By adding our model to the library we increase the availability of our model to the scientific community.

Analyses and measures

We simulate our model on a fully connected population of 100 agents, where the initial opinions are uniformly distributed, and we averaged the results over 100 runs. Like in 58 , to avoid undefined operations in Eq. ( 2 ), when $d_{ik} = 0$ we use a lower bound $d_{\epsilon } = 10^{-4}$ . We imposed the simulations to stop when the population reaches an equilibrium, i.e. the cluster configuration will not change anymore, even if the agents keep exchanging opinions. We also set an overall maximum number of iterations at $10^6$ to account for situations where an equilibrium may never be reached. To better understand the differences in the final state, we studied the model for various combinations of the model parameters. We are interested in whether the different numbers and positioning of mass media and the growing interaction probability influence the final configuration, enhancing or reducing fragmentation and radicalizing individuals towards more extreme opinions, all other parameters being equal.

We replicated the work of 58 by setting a null probability to interact with the media to define a reliable baseline for comparison.

In the simulations, we evaluated the model on every combination of the parameters over the following values:

$p_{m}$ takes values in [0.0, 0.5], with steps of 0.1 - where for $p_{m}=0$ the model becomes the AB model.

$\epsilon$ takes value in [0.1, 0.5], with steps of 0.1.

$\gamma$ takes value in [0.5, 1.5], with steps of 0.25, and 0.0 - where for $\gamma = 0$ and $p_m=0$ the model becomes the DW-model.

$\mu = 0.5$ , so whenever two agents interact, if their opinions are close enough, they update to the average opinion of the pair.

We analyzed different scenarios to understand the effects of (i) one media, either extreme with a fixed opinion of $x_{m1}=0.0$ or moderate with an opinion of $x_{m1}=0.5$ , (ii) two extremist media with $x_{m1} = 0.05, x_{m2}=0.95$ and (iii) two extremist media and a moderate one with opinions $x_{m1}=0.05, x_{m2}=0.5, x_{m3}=0.95$ .

We used different measures to interpret the results, each equally necessary to understand the final state of the population. The first and most intuitive measure to understand fragmentation is the number of clusters present on average at the end of the dynamic. We used a naive clustering technique to partition the final opinion distribution into clusters: we sorted the final opinions in each run and set a threshold. Starting from one extreme, the corresponding nodes belong to two clusters every time two consecutive opinions exceed the threshold. Optimal results were obtained using a threshold of 0.01. Once we divided the population into opinion clusters we compute the cluster participation ratio, as in 58 :

where $c_i$ is the dimension of the i th cluster, i.e. the fraction of the population we can find in that cluster. In general, for n clusters, the maximum value of the participation ratio is n and is achieved when all clusters have the same size. At the same time, the minimum can be close to one if one cluster includes most of the population and a tiny fraction is distributed among the other $n \min 1$ .

To grasp the attractive power of the media in each setting, we also computed the number of nodes present in the clusters centered on the media opinion. Specifically, we consider the percentage of agents that hold opinions in the range $[x_{m} - \lambda , x_m +\lambda ]$ with $x_m$ being the media opinion and $\lambda = 0.01$ .

The dataset used in this study spans approximately one month, from June 10th to July 13th, during which the EURO2020 matches were played. To focus our analysis on relevant conversations, we applied hashtag-based filtering, targeting discussions related to Italy’s matches, the tournament itself, and the topic of taking the knee. This filtering process yielded a collection of 38,908 tweets authored by 16,235 unique users.

We adopted a hashtag-based approach to infer Twitter users’ opinions regarding taking the knee during EURO 2020. A manual annotation process was employed to classify 2304 hashtags from the dataset. Each hashtag was assigned a numerical value based on its alignment with the pro or against stance, with $\pm 3$ indicating a clear position, $\pm 1$ indicating a close association, and 0 assigned to neutral or irrelevant hashtags. We calculated the non-neutral hashtag values within each tweet by averaging its classification value ( $C_t$ ). Similarly, for each user ( u ), we computed their overall classification value ( $C_u$ ) by averaging the classification values of their tweets. To facilitate integration with our opinion dynamics model, the initial pro/against scores, ranging from $-3$ to 3, were normalized to a range of [0, 1]. Additionally, we discretized the leanings into three categories: “Pro” (if $C_u \le 0.4$ ), “Against” (if $C_u \ge 0.6$ ), and “Neutral” otherwise, encompassing users with highly polarized viewpoints.

From the collected data, we constructed an undirected attributed temporal network, where nodes represent users and edges capture their interactions, including retweets, mentions, quotes, and replies. The resulting network comprises 15,378 nodes and 36,496 edges. To serve as initial and final states for validating our model, we divided the network into two snapshots: the first corresponding to the group stage and round-of-16, and the second representing the period from the quarterfinals to the final. This division was chosen based on specific reasons that will be further specified. As our model does not consider the temporal evolution of links, we retained only the nodes present in both snapshots. The temporal element was disregarded, resulting in two undirected snapshot networks: $G_0$ , with nodes labeled according to their leaning in the first period, and $G_1$ , with nodes labeled according to their leaning in the second period. This simplification aligns with our model’s assumption of a static network. The two snapshot graphs consist of 2925 users (approximately 20% of the total) and 9081 edges. Notably, the giant connected component comprises 2894 nodes and 9054 edges. For further details on the description and characteristics of the network, please refer to the Supplementary Materials.

Experiments on real data

The experiments were carried out with the following parameters:

The underlying network structure is G : each node u in the interaction network is an agent i and each leaning $C_u$ in $G_0$ is an opinion $x_i$ with $x_i \in [0, 1]$ .

We tested both homogeneous and heterogeneous bounded confidence levels. For homogeneous values we considered $\epsilon \in \{0.2, 0.3, 0.4\}$ ; for heterogeneous values, each agent i is assigned with a level of bounded confidence $\epsilon _i$ obtained applying the procedure in 51 (see Algorithm 1 in Supplementary Materials) to $G_0, G_1$ .

The parameter $p_m$ takes values of either 0.0 (absence of mass media, the model becomes the Algorithmic Bias Model with heterogeneous $\epsilon$ ) or 0.5.

The parameter $\gamma$ varies in the range of [0.0, 1.5] with increments of 0.5; for $\gamma =0.0$ , we obtain the Deffuant-Weisbuch model with heterogeneous $\epsilon$ .

The parameter $\mu$ is set to 0.5, i.e. when two agents interact, they adopt their average opinion.

The maximum number of iterations is set at $10^5$ .

Simulations terminate when the maximum opinion change remains below a threshold of 0.01 for at least 500 consecutive iterations.

We performed a comprehensive analysis to examine the influence of different scenarios the opinion evolution. Our investigation encompassed five distinct media landscapes:

One mass media with opinion $x_m = avg(pro) = 0.28$

One mass media with opinion $x_m = avg(neutral) = 0.49$

One mass media with opinion $x_m = avg(against) = 0.87$

Two mass media with opinions $x_{m1} = avg(pro) = 0.28$ and $x_{m2} = avg(against) = 0.87$

Three mass media with opinions $x_{m1} = avg(pro) = 0.28$ , $x_{m2} = avg(against) = 0.87$ and $x_{m3} = avg(neutral) = 0.49$

Since in these experiments every agent i has a different level of bounded confidence $\epsilon _i$ , to account for parameter heterogeneity, we applied the opinion change rule of the Algorithmic Bias Model with Mass Media in the following way:

if $d_{ij} < \epsilon _i$ $x_i(t+1) = (x_i(t) + x_j(t))/2$

if $d_{ij} < \epsilon _j$ $x_j(t+1) = (x_i(t) + x_j(t))/2$

if if $d_{ij}> \epsilon _i \,\, \& \,\,d_{ij} > \epsilon _j$ nothing happens

i.e. a heterogeneous version of the baseline model.

Since we performed only one run per scenario, it is not feasible to compute the same metrics used in the mean-field analysis. Therefore, we choose to compare the simulation outcomes under various conditions on the real network with the actual opinion values in $G_1$ . This allows for a direct assessment of the simulation results against the empirical opinion data at the specified time point. Specifically, we conducted one simulation for each scenario and compared the results with $G_1$ by examining the final states. To assess polarization and the presence of echo chambers in both real data and simulation outcomes, we adopted the approach presented in 60 . Supplementary Figs. 58 – 63 display plots showing the joint distribution of users’ opinions relative to the average leaning of their neighborhood, as obtained in our experiments. These plots provide insights into the formation of echo chambers within an interaction network by analyzing the behavior of individual nodes in relation to their neighbors’ behavior. As in 60 , we measure polarization in our simulation results based on the correlation between a user’s leaning and the average leaning of their nearest neighbors (ego network).

Data availibility

The datasets generated during this study for simulations of the Algorithmic Bias Model with Mass Media in the mean-field case are within this article. The EURO2020 datasets analysed during the current study are available in the AlgBiasMediaModel repository, https://github.com/ValentinaPansanella/AlgBiasMediaModel.git .

Code availability

The AB model with mass media implementation used to conduct our experiments is the one provided by the NDlib 59 Python library: http://ndlib.rtfd.io . Simulations can be reproduced using the code in: https://github.com/ValentinaPansanella/AlgBiasMediaModel.git .

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Faculty of Science, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy

Valentina Pansanella

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Alina Sîrbu

Department of Network and Data Science, Central European University, Vienna, Austria

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All authors conceived the experiments. V.P. implemented the extension of the AB model in NDlib and performed the simulations. All authors interpreted the results. V.P. and G.R. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the manuscript.

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Pansanella, V., Sîrbu, A., Kertesz, J. et al. Mass media impact on opinion evolution in biased digital environments: a bounded confidence model. Sci Rep 13 , 14600 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39725-y

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Honors Theses

Constructing reality: the role of mass media in the hunger games series.

Jordan E. Nettles , University of Southern Mississippi

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The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins is an incredibly popular Young Adult series that has had a large impact on both children and adults. The media environment within The Hunger Games trilogy can provide insight into our own world. This thesis seeks to discuss how governing structures in the trilogy, the Capitol and District 13, manipulate the media to secure their own power. Using contemporary research on media theories, media methods, and media effects, this thesis focuses primarily on the Capitol and District 13’s efforts to create and use the media image of Katniss Everdeen, the central character of The Hunger Games trilogy. It shows that in the midst of this battle for her image and identity, Katniss must develop her media literacy skills if she is to achieve and maintain any control over her own life and image.

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Home > FACULTIES > Information & Media Studies (FIMS) > MEDIASTUDIES-ETD

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Media Studies Theses and Dissertations

This collection contains theses and dissertations from the Department of Media Studies, collected from the Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Witnessing Conspiracy Theories: Developing an Intersectional Approach to Conspiracy Theory Research , David Guignion

Canadians Redefining R&B: The Online Marketing of Drake, Justin Bieber, and Jessie Reyez , Amara Pope Ms.

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Instagram Influencers and their Youngest Female Followers , Amanda Jenkins

A descriptive analysis of sport nationalism, digital media, and fandom to launch the Canadian Premier League , Farzan Mirzazadeh

Influencer Engagement Pods and the Struggle Over Measure in Instagram Platform Labour , Victoria J. O'Meara

Radiant Dreams and Nuclear Nightmares: Japanese Resistance Narratives and American Intervention in Postwar Speculative Popular Culture , Aidan J. Warlow

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

More barriers than solutions: Women’s experiences of support with online abuse , Chandell E. Gosse

Heavy Metal Fundraisers: Entrepreneurial Recording Artists in Platform Capitalism , Jason Netherton

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Resistant Vulnerability in The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Captain America , Kristen Allison

Unwrapping the Toronto Christmas Market: An Examination of Tradition and Nostalgia in a Socially Constructed Space , Lydia J. Gibson

Trauma, Creativity, And Bearing Witness Through Art: Marian Kołodziej's Labyrinth , Alyssa Logie

Appropriating Play: Examining Twitch.tv as a Commercial Platform , Charlotte Panneton

Dead Men Walking: An Analysis of Working-Class Masculinity in Post-2008 Hollywood Film , Ryan Schroeder

Glocalization in China: An Analysis of Coca-Cola’s Brand Co-Creation Process with Consumers in China , Yinuo Shi

Critiquing the New Autonomy of Immaterial Labour: An Analysis of Work in the Artificial Intelligence Industry , James Steinhoff

Watching and Working Through: Navigating Non-being in Television Storytelling , Tiara Lalita Sukhan

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Hone the Means of Production: Craft Antagonism and Domination in the Journalistic Labour Process of Freelance Writers , Robert Bertuzzi

Invisible Labour: Support-Service Workers in India’s Information Technology Industry , Indranil Chakraborty

Exhibiting Human Rights: Making the Means of Dignity Visible , Amy J. Freier

Industrial Stagecraft: Tooling and Cultural Production , Jennifer A. Hambleton

Cultural Hybridity in the Contemporary Korean Popular Culture through the Practice of Genre Transformation , Kyunghee Kim

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Regarding Aid: The photographic situation of humanitarianism , Sonya de Laat

The Representation of the Canadian Government’s Warrantless Domestic Collection of Metadata in the Canadian Print News Media , Alan Del Pino

(Not) One of the Boys: A Case Study of Female Detectives on HBO , Darcy Griffin

Pitching the Feminist Voice: A Critique of Contemporary Consumer Feminism , Kate Hoad-Reddick

Local-Global Tensions: Professional Experience, Role Perceptions and Image Production of Afghan Photojournalists Working for a Global Audience , Saumava Mitra

A place for locative media: A theoretical framework for assessing locative media use in urban environments , Darryl A. Pieber

Mapping the Arab Diaspora: Examining Placelessness and Memory in Arab Art , Shahad Rashid

Settler Colonial Ways of Seeing: Documentary Governance of Indigenous Life in Canada and its Disruption , Danielle Taschereau Mamers

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Finding Your Way: Navigating Online News and Opinions , Charlotte Britten

Law and Abuse: Representations of Intimate Partner Homicide in Law Procedural Dramas , Jaime A. Campbell

Creative Management: Disciplining the Neoliberal Worker , Trent Cruz

No hay Sólo un Idioma, No hay Sólo una Voz: A Revisionist History of Chicana/os and Latina/os in Punk , Richard C. Davila

Shifting Temporalities: The Construction of Flexible Subjectivities through Part-time Retail Workers’ Use of Smartphone Technology , Jessica Fanning

Becoming Sonic: Ambient Poetics and the Ecology of Listening in Four Militant Sound Investigations , David C. Jackson

Capital's Media: The Physical Conditions of Circulation , Atle Mikkola Kjøsen

On the Internet by Means of Popular Music: The Cases of Grimes and Childish Gambino , Kristopher R. K. Ohlendorf

Believing the News: Exploring How Young Canadians Make Decisions About Their News Consumption , Jessica Thom

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Narrative Epic and New Media: The Totalizing Spaces of Postmodernity in The Wire, Batman, and The Legend of Zelda , Luke Arnott

Canada: Multiculturalism, Religion, and Accommodation , Brittainy R. Bonnis

Navigating the Social Landscape: An Exploration of Social Networking Site Usage among Emerging Adults , Kristen Colbeck

Impassioned Objects And Seething Absences: The Olympics In Canada, National Identity and Consumer Culture , Estee Fresco

Satirical News and Political Subversiveness: A Critical Approach to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report , Roberto Leclerc

"When [S]He is Working [S]He is Not at Home": Challenging Assumptions About Remote Work , Eric Lohman

Heating Up the Debate: E-cigarettes and Instagram , Stephanie L. Ritter

Limitation to Innovation in the North American Console Video Game Industry 2001-2013: A Critical Analysis , Michael Schmalz

Happiest People Alive: An Analysis of Class and Gender in the Trinidad Carnival , Asha L. St. Bernard

Human-Machinic Assemblages: Technologies, Bodies, and the Recuperation of Social Reproduction in the Crisis Era , Elise D. Thorburn

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Evangelizing the ‘Gallery of the Future’: a Critical Analysis of the Google Art Project Narrative and its Political, Cultural and Technological Stakes , Alanna Bayer

Face Value: Beyond the Surface of Brand Philanthropy and the Cultural Production of the M.A.C AIDS Fund , Andrea Benoit

Cultivating Better Brains: Transhumanism and its Critics on the Ethics of Enhancement Via Brain-computer Interfacing , Matthew Devlin

Man Versus Food: An Analysis of 'Dude Food' Television and Public Health , Amy R. Eisner-Levine

Media Literacy and the English as a Second Language Curriculum: A Curricular Critique and Dreams for the Future , Clara R. Madrenas

Fantasizing Disability: Representation of loss and limitation in Popular Television and Film , Jeffrey M. Preston

(Un)Covering Suicide: The Changing Ethical Norms in Canadian Journalism , Gemma Richardson

Labours Of Love: Affect, Fan Labour, And The Monetization Of Fandom , Jennifer Spence

'What's in a List?' Cultural Techniques, Logistics, Poeisis , Liam Cole Young

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Distinguishing the 'Vanguard' from the 'Insipid': Exploring the Valorization of Mainstream Popular Music in Online Indie Music Criticism , Charles J. Blazevic

Anonymous: Polemics and Non-identity , Samuel Chiang

Manufacturing Legitimacy: A Critical Theory of Election News Coverage , Gabriel N. Elias

The Academic Grind: A Critique of Creative and Collaborative Discourses Between Digital Games Industries and Post-Secondary Education in Canada , Owen R. Livermore

We’re on This Road Together: The Changing Fan/Producer Relationship in Television as Demonstrated by Supernatural , Lisa Macklem

Brave New Wireless World: Mapping the Rise of Ubiquitous Connectivity from Myth to Market , Vincent R. Manzerolle

Promotional Ubiquitous Musics: New Identities and Emerging Markets in the Digitalizing Music Industry , Leslie Meier

Money, Morals, and Human Rights: Commercial Influences in the Marketing, Branding, and Fundraising of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch , Danielle Morgan

If I Had a Hammer: An Archeology of Tactical Media From the Hootenanny to the People's Microphone , Henry Adam Svec

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Watching High School: Representing Disempowerment on Teen Drama Television , Sarah M. Baxter

Will Work For Free: Examining the Biopolitics of Unwaged Immaterial Labour , Brian A. Brown

Social Net-working: Exploring the Political Economy of the Online Social Network Industry , Craig Butosi

Watching the games: Critical media literacy and students’ abilities to identify and critique the politics of sports , Raúl J. Feliciano Ortiz

The Invisible Genocide: An Analysis of ABC, CBS, and NBC Television News Coverage of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. , Daniel C. Harvey

It's Complicated: Romantic Breakups and Their Aftermath on Facebook , Veronika A. Lukacs

Keeping Up with the Virtual Joneses: The Practices, Meanings, and Consequences of Consumption in Second Life , Jennifer M. Martin

The (m)Health Connection: An Examination of the Promise of Mobile Phones for HIV/AIDS Intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa , Trisha M. Phippard

Born Again Hard : Transgender Subjectivity in Paul Chadwick's Concrete , Justin Raymond

Communicating Crimes: Covering Gangs in Contemporary Canadian Journalism , Chris Richardson

Online Social Breast-Working: Representations of Breast Milk Sharing in the 21st Century , Cari L. Rotstein

Because I am Not Here, Selected Second Life-Based Art Case Studies. Subjectivity, Autoempathy and Virtual World Aesthetics , Francisco Gerardo Toledo Ramírez

Day of the Woman?: Feminism & Rape-Revenge Films , Kayley A. Viteo

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

"Aren't They Keen?" Early Children's Food Advertising and the Emergence of the Brand-loyal Child Consumer , Kyle R. Asquith

Immediacy and Aesthetic Remediation in Television and Digital Media: Mass Media’s Challenge to the Democratization of Media Production , Michael S. Daubs

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Thesis Statements about Social Media: 21 Examples and Tips
21 Examples of Thesis Statements about Social Media. Recently, social media is growing rapidly. Ironically, its use in remote areas has remained relatively low. Social media has revolutionized communication but it is evenly killing it by limiting face-to-face communication. Identically, social media has helped make work easier.
Short Essay: Mass Media
Develop a Clear Thesis Statement: Craft a concise and focused thesis statement that clearly states your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should reflect the specific aspect of mass media that you will be discussing in the essay and provide a roadmap for your analysis. ... Mass Media as an Agent of Awareness and Education: A ...
Social Media: Thesis Statement: [Essay Example], 562 words
Social media has become an integral part of modern society, revolutionizing the way people communicate, interact, and share information.With the rise of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, social media has transformed the way we connect with others and consume content. This essay will explore the impact of social media on society, focusing on the thesis statement that ...
Mind over Mass Media Analysis: Thesis Statement
It's a major agent of socialization. Mass media is the best way to reach an enormous amount of people, Mass media are used to convey information, entertainment, news, education, or promotional messages through television, radio, newspapers, books, magazines, websites, video games, film, and music. Mass media is a blessing or a curse.
Mass Media Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas
86 essay samples found. Mass media, a formidable force in shaping public opinion and cultural norms, encompasses a wide range of platforms including newspapers, television, radio, and digital outlets. Essays could delve into the historical evolution of mass media, exploring its role in political communication, social mobilization, and cultural ...
The Role and Influence of Mass Media
Mass media is communication—whether written, broadcast, or spoken—that reaches a large audience. This includes television, radio, advertising, movies, the Internet, newspapers, magazines, and so forth. Mass media is a significant force in modern culture, particularly in America. Sociologists refer to this as a mediated culture where media ...
20 Sensational Topics for Your Mass Media Essay
Mass media topics: Argumentative essay. 1. Trustworthiness of mass media. There has been recent debate about whether the media accurately presents information and whether people can trust the media. You might focus your argument on mass media in general or one specific form of media, such as cable news or newspapers. 2.
How to Write a Thesis Statement About Social Media
Here is an outline for a social media essay; Introduction. Here, you begin with the topic, state its objective, provide reasons to support its claims and finalize with a precise and accurate thesis statement. Thesis statement. This statement should support and complement your main topic of discussion.
Thesis Statement About Social Media
Thesis Statement About Social Media. In today's digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives, shaping how we connect with others, consume information, and perceive the world around us. While the advent of social media has undoubtedly brought about numerous benefits, such as increased connectivity and ...
Social Media & Society Thesis Statement Examples
Good Thesis Statement Examples. Good: "This thesis evaluates the correlation between prolonged social media usage and increased levels of anxiety and depression among teenagers in the United States." Bad: "Social media affects teenagers' mental health." The good statement presents a specific correlation, target demographic (teenagers in the U.S.), and identified outcomes (anxiety and ...
Crafting A Thesis Statement About Social Media: Tips And Tricks
A Social Media Thesis Statement is a statement that expresses the key idea of an argument about the influence of social media platforms on modern society. It could be argued that social media has had both positive and negative impacts on people, from creating new opportunities for communication and connection to contributing to issues like ...
How to Write a Thesis Statement
Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): The Impact and Role of Mass Media
Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus disease, mass media, health communication, prevention, intervention, social behavioral changes . Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements.
Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations
The European Super League (ESL): A Political Economy and Media Framing Analysis, Patrick Sidwell. PDF. Inaugural Addresses, Framing Theory, and the Impact on American Perceptions of the Presidency, Kalin Meagan Velez. PDF. The Use of Social Media by Leaders in Times of Crisis: 2020-21 United States Election Protests, Cagdas Yuksel
Propaganda, misinformation, and histories of media techniques
Introduction. Propaganda has a history and so does research on it. In other words, the mechanisms and methods through which media scholars have sought to understand propaganda—or misinformation, or disinformation, or fake news, or whatever you would like to call it—are themselves historically embedded and carry with them underlying notions of power and causality.
Journalism & Mass Communications Theses and Dissertations
Conservative Media's Coverage of Coronavirus on YouTube: A Qualitative Analysis of Media Effects on Consumers, Michael J. Layer. Theses/Dissertations from 2019 PDF. Problem Chain Recognition Effect and CSR Communication: Examining the Impact of Issue Salience and Proximity on Environmental Communication Behaviors, Nandini Bhalla. PDF
Access, usage and influence of mass media on students' academic
The advent of mass media especially the new media has made life easier. It effects on students academic performance cannot be undermined. Decision criterion : Reject H 0 if the calculated (observed value) of chi-square ( χ 2 c) is found to be greater than the critical (table) value of chi-square χ 2 t (0.01) in the cross tabulation, if not ...
Mass media impact on opinion evolution in biased digital ...
In the first setting, we analyzed the effects of a "moderate message" on the opinion formation process, i.e. a single mass media promoting a central opinion ($x_m = 0.5$).We start from the ...
Thesis: Mass Media & Democracy
The term mass media is a collective referral to numerous channels of information. These include publications such as newspapers, books and magazines as well as other channels such as radio networks and the like. More recently developed forms of mass media include internet based channels such as blogs, discussion forums and focus groups ...
Media Thesis Statement
916 Words4 Pages. November, 2015. Social media and its vague credibility. Thesis Statement: Social media is not a reliable source of news because of its vulnerability to fake information, lack of validation, and the journalists' inclusion of biases. Nowadays, people would not do something the traditional way, most especially, if there is a ...
"Constructing Reality: The Role of Mass Media in The Hunger Games Serie
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins is an incredibly popular Young Adult series that has had a large impact on both children and adults. The media environment within The Hunger Games trilogy can provide insight into our own world. This thesis seeks to discuss how governing structures in the trilogy, the Capitol and District 13, manipulate the media to secure their own power. Using ...
Media Studies Theses and Dissertations
Media Literacy and the English as a Second Language Curriculum: A Curricular Critique and Dreams for the Future, Clara R. Madrenas. PDF. Fantasizing Disability: Representation of loss and limitation in Popular Television and Film, Jeffrey M. Preston. PDF (Un)Covering Suicide: The Changing Ethical Norms in Canadian Journalism, Gemma Richardson. PDF
Chapter 14 Flashcards
Gets listeners' attention, previews the content of the speech, and presents the thesis statement. The type of speaking that involves preparation and practice resulting in a conversational and interactive manner with the audience is. All of the following are true of communication anxiety EXCEPT. Which of the following methods of reducing ...

Thesis Statements about Social Media: 21 Examples and Tips

How to Write a Thesis Statement?

Start With a Question and Develop an Answer

Be Specific

Make the Argument Clear

Question your Assumptions

Take a Strong Stand

Make Your Thesis Statement Seen

21 Examples of Thesis Statements about Social Media

Short Essay: Mass Media

Mass Media Essay Tips

Mass Media Essay Example 1

Mass Media Essay Example 2

Mass Media Essay Example 3

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Mass Media - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

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Facebook and Fake News

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Internet Censorship in China

The Yellow Kid and the Birth of Yellow Journalism

Criminogenic Media

News and Democracy in Different Media Systems

Impact of Social Media has had on the Consumer Buying Behavior Model

How Journalism has Affected our National Narrative

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Adolescents in the United States

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Crafting A Thesis Statement About Social Media: Tips And Tricks

How To Write a Thesis Statement About Social Media?

2. Brainstorm Potential Ideas:

3. Refine the Ideas:

4. Finalize Your Thesis Statement:

5. Support Your Thesis Statement:

6. Revise and Edit:

What Is a Social Media Thesis Statement?

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