THE MEDIA, TRUTH AND THE ETHICS OF PUBLIC OPINION IN THE AGE OF PROPAGANDA

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital media and the proliferation of social platforms have radically transformed the landscape of public opinion, creating new challenges for the relationship between media, truth, and ethics. In the age of propaganda, the media’s role in shaping public perceptions is increasingly scrutinized as information is often manipulated or distorted to serve political, corporate, or ideological interests. This paper explores the complexities of media ethics in the contemporary information age, focusing on how propaganda and misinformation challenge the concept of truth in public discourse. The ethical responsibility of the media in maintaining truth, objectivity, and fairness while navigating the tension between freedom of speech and the potential harms of manipulated narratives is central to this discussion. By analyzing the role of media in shaping public opinion, the paper proposes strategies for promoting ethical journalism and protecting democratic integrity in the digital era.