Media culture

In cultural studies, media culture refers to the current Western capitalist society that emerged and developed during the 20th century under the influence of mass media. The term highlights the extensive impact and intellectual influence of the media, primarily television, but also the press, radio, and cinema, on public opinion, taste, and values.

The alternative term mass culture suggests that such culture arises spontaneously from the masses, similar to the development of popular art before the 20th century. However, the term media culture implies that this culture is largely a product of mass media. Another related term is image culture, which further emphasizes the visual and symbolic aspects of media influence.