ABSTRACT
Most of the media analyses struggle to justify an independent role for the media, focusing instead on heavy presence of the political authorities in setting the agendas. The media's ability to influence public opinion is not lost on governments which have come to master the new mediums and marshal their resources towards their own ends. Among instruments used by governments is the power over censorship, which prevents unapproved and populist views from reaching the public. Emerging technologies and communication channels will continue to be challenge for media analysis as new measurement criteria will be needed to adequately evaluate their impact on public opinion. Liberal democratic systems that exist on very foundation of open access, diversity of information, and even-handed presentation of news face a greater challenge of justifying decision to allow troubling content to go by in support of their values and convictions.
