Final answer:
Media content decision-makers, often called gatekeepers, select images and messages shaping societal views, and their power is now challenged by new media platforms enabling broader information sharing and self-policing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals who make decisions about the media content we consume, from selecting images to shaping the messages we receive, are primarily media owners, editors, and producers.
Known as gatekeepers, they exert significant influence over collective identity and hold the power to shape cultural attitudes and values through various media platforms, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and digital media.
With the advent of new media, the traditional role of gatekeepers has evolved, now facing challenges from more decentralized forms of content dissemination like social media platforms, where users can share information more freely and participate in self-policing.
This evolution of media has led to diverse media representations, shaping our perception of reality through distinct narratives and cultural settings, a phenomenon referred to as mediascapes.