ively new, it could be argued the most influential, The Mass Media. Noted by Grossberg et al, the mass media are 'perhaps the most important producers of meaning and the codes of meaning in contemporary society'. [1998, p.182] Chomsky suggests that it is their function to 'inculcate individuals with values, beliefs and codes of behaviour that will integrate them into society'. [Cited in Achbar, 1994, p.53] In this sense society utilises the media to (help) mould good citizens. In some ways this is true, yet the idea of being inculcated is a little deterministic to say the least. 'All media bare some relationship to reality, but not all as directly as news media'. [Grossberg et al, 1998, p.336] The news appears to be the most 'real' and least mediated. Speaking the 'objective discourse of the "truth"', [Fiske, 1987, p.288] the news is widely seen as a reliable, impartial and balanced summary of events.
             Let it be said from the outset, 'news cannot exclusively shape peoples perception of reality'. [Glasgow University Media Group, 1982, p.7] It has been argued that people simply make up their own minds and are not influenced by what they read or see. Our 'c
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