In this episode of Know-It-All, CCBC student Mo Frand unpacks the invisible power of mass communication in shaping public opinion, belief systems and even daily behavior. From viral internet debates to subtle language choices in news headlines, Mo breaks down key concepts like agenda-setting, framing, priming and echo chambers to show how media does more than report — it influences. Through real-world examples and research studies, this episode offers a crash course in media literacy and the role it plays in protecting our independent thinking.
About the Host:
Mo Frand is a student at the Community College of Baltimore County planning to transfer into an engineering program. This episode was produced as part of coursework in Mass Communication. Mo is passionate about understanding how media affects public thought and aims to be part of a future where facts matter more than spin.
Sources Featured in This Episode:
Happer, Catherine, and Greg Philo. “The Role of the Media in the Construction of Public Belief and Social Change.” Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 2013. https://jspp.psychopen.eu/index.php/jspp/article/view/4761/4761
Willer, Robb. “Violence by Protesters Can Lead the Public to Support Them Less, Stanford Sociologist Says.” Stanford Sociology, 2018. https://sociology.stanford.edu/news/violence-protesters-can-lead-public-support-them-less-stanford-sociologist-says
Rogers, Adam. “The Science of Why No One Agrees on the Color of This Dress.” Wired, 2015. https://www.wired.com/2015/02/science-one-agrees-color-dress/
Music Credit:
Intro and outro music: “Soul Groove” by Josh Woodward. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. www.joshwoodward.com