A leading theorist in this area whose ideas are worthy of further study is Professor Noam Chomsky. He is particularly important if you are a Media Studies or English Language student.

Chomsky holds particularly strong and well-argued views about how, in particular, what he terms the 'elite news media' help to maintain the power structures of Western society. He sees the élite media as a compelling and persuasive force that serves the few to the detriment of the many.

Chomsky believes that the mass of less educated and busy 'ordinary' people are encouraged to accept a 'media diet' of compelling but 'empty' viewing, such as cartoons and soap opera, etc. which are made to be entertaining but which act to divert attention from important social and political issues.