People's outlook plays a significant role in what forms media takes, from the way in which news is produced -- and what constitutes "news" -- to the types of entertainment that are in vogue. Escapism has always been a top form of relaxation -- especially in difficult economic times -- but the forms that escapism takes can be a barometer to measure the nature of society at a given time. From gladiator games to reality television, entertainment can allow us to release the worst aspects of human nature.
The legal system constantly tries to stay abreast of media that has a direct impact on society. For example, the United States government -- in the form of the Federal Communications Commission or the justice department -- and many states and local municipalities attempt to regulate what they see as indecent or obscene, particularly in television and print media. If community standards -- or perceived community standards -- generally reject certain behaviors or content, mass media may attempt to serve audiences by rejecting airtime for such issues. Such was the case in 1996 when two NBC affiliates did not air an episode of the sitcom "Friends" that featured a lesbian wedding. Though some believe the Internet needs similar regulation, others believe that the Internet is the one true form of free expression and needs to be protected from government overreach. Still, generally accepted standards -- including minimum-age restrictions on pornography consumption -- prevail in governing the World Wide Web.
From radio and television to the Internet and tablet computers, technology continues to grow exponentially. It is driven largely by financial incentives in developing the newest gadget. Innovation drives further innovation, and as technology makes strides, people want and expect greater advances that will broaden the way by which we communicate and entertain ourselves.
Traditional news programs reporting facts have been supplemented -- or outright replaced -- by opinion media. In some cases, mainstream media outlets highlight personal blogs or YouTube videos. Some believe that including such opinion pieces from individuals allows for authentic analysis of the news, while others question whether this trend has the effect of "dumbing down" the news by replacing fact-driven reporting with opinion and sensational gossip.