In trying to answer the question, “Does Media shape Politics, or do Politics shape Media?” we have to look at the purposes and functions of media in political context…

                The media informs.

                The media persuades.

                The media builds communities.

Without media, how would the public know what is going on in the world of politics? What are the issues? Who is ahead in the polls? Media acts as the bridge between the government and the people. The only way to gain political awareness is through media consumption. There is no direct communication between the United States and the American people. The media is the informant. In 1776, Thomas Paine published Common Sense to inform his fellow soon-to-be-Americans about the misconduct of Britain. He used mass media to provide the public with information they did not have before. As Common Sense reached more readers, the informed population continued to grow. An exigency was established. A discourse began.  A community of support emerged, as well as a community of opposition.  One pamphlet catalyzed the fight for American independence. While, Paine used the pamphlet as his medium, today, we rely on newspaper, television, radio, internet, even posters and bumper stickers for information.