mainstream media
Dominant news sources
Mainstream media refers to the dominant news and entertainment outlets that reach mass audiences—major television networks, national newspapers, large radio stations, and established news websites.
The term gained currency as a contrast to alternative, independent, or social media sources.
It often carries dismissive or critical connotations, implying conventional viewpoints or corporate influence: He doesn't trust the mainstream media.
Sometimes abbreviated MSM.
News gathering and dissemination
- reportingConveying documented information
- headlinesArticle titles in newspapers
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
- pressApply force downward
coverage · correspondent · editorial · breaking news · investigation · exposé · articles · publication
Broadcast viewing device
- radioElectromagnetic wave receiver
- networkInterconnected system
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
anchor · newsroom · airtime · primetime · ratings · viewership · telecast · live coverage
Controlling which issues dominate
- public opinionSociety's shared attitudes
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- gatekeepingControlling access to something
framing · narrative · spin · censorship · echo chamber · punditry · commentary · watchdog
Bulk or populace
- widespreadExisting across many places
- dominantHaving superior influence
- prevailingMost common or accepted
- ubiquitousPresent in all places
household name · familiar · general audience · mass market · middlebrow · accessible · commercial · lowest common denominator
Enormously successful entertainment property
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- reality TVFilmed unscripted programming
- talk showBroadcast featuring host-guest conversations
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
comedy · streaming · celebrity · Hollywood · premiere · box office · soap opera · miniseries
journalism
News gathering and dissemination
- reportingConveying documented information
- headlinesArticle titles in newspapers
- newspaperPrinted periodical of current events
press · coverage · correspondent · editorial · breaking news · investigation · exposé · articles · publication · wire service
television
Broadcast viewing device
satellite · anchor · newsroom · airtime · primetime · ratings · viewership · telecast · live coverage · CNN
agenda-setting
Controlling which issues dominate
- public opinionSociety's shared attitudes
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- propagandaBiased information for influence
gatekeeping · framing · narrative · spin · censorship · echo chamber · punditry · commentary · watchdog · disinformation
masses
Bulk or populace
- widespreadExisting across many places
- dominantHaving superior influence
- prevailingMost common or accepted
ubiquitous · household name · familiar · general audience · mass market · middlebrow · accessible · commercial · lowest common denominator · broad appeal
blockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
- sitcomEpisodic TV comedy series
- reality TVFilmed unscripted programming
- talk showBroadcast featuring host-guest conversations
drama · comedy · streaming · celebrity · Hollywood · premiere · box office · soap opera · miniseries · late night
- political buzzwordswoke, wokeness, virtue signaling, virtue signal, dog whistle
- mediatelevision, news, broadcasting, video, radio station
- media jargonbyline, headline, dateline, lead story, breaking news
- media literacyfact checking, news literacy, critical thinking, information literacy, credibility
- press powerwatchdog role, agenda setting, gatekeeping, investigative journalism, investigative reporting
mainstream mediaindependent media
Journalism without external control
alternative media · grassroots media · small press · samizdat · citizen journalism
mainstream mediaalternative press
Non-mainstream publishing outlets
mainstream mediacitizen journalism
Non-professionals reporting news
social media · podcasts · substack · newsletters · zines
media, immediate, mediator, mediate, mainstream, mediation, intermediate, medial, multimedia