I don't think the media destroys, saves or makes anyone. The media report on the actions of newsmakers. Newsmakers create and destroy themselves by dint of their own words and deeds.
Sorry, I disagree profusely. Well I don't disagree with the premise that that is what the media SHOULD be, but we all know they aren't. To varying degrees.
In Toronto, we have different news outlets, this was more prevalent when I was growing up, before the internet age even.
If a guy was accused of a crime, they would put his mug shot on the front page on the Toronto Sun, they were right leaning, "cops can do no wrong" newspaper. To a fault, in some cases we've now learned. In fact, I happened to have learned they either were willing, or unwillingly colluding with them in a very dishonest and serious manner in at least one case. That;s neither here nor there.
Anyways,
anytime I read their paper, the way they worded the perp, the details, I would assume the sob was guilty.
Another paper, was The Toronto Star. Left leaning, liberal. They would have the same case details but no mug shot, no definitive details, they stuck to the "allegations", not basically. "they got their man".
My mother, bless her heart; made sure I had exposure to both papers and I read them both voraciously.
As it were,
yes indeed, the media can make or break a man. I urge you to really study the history of Pravda, the efforts of Goebbels and yes, even Western publications which were in cahoots with the government for National Security purposes during much darker times. The media can make or break a man.
Think of the movie Trading Places, a classic with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd. So true....you can be anythng based on circumstances.