Mediacracy

Mediacracy is a situation in government where the mass media effectively has control over the voting public. Mediacracy is closely related to a theory on the role of media in the United States political system, that argues that media and news outlets have a large level of influence over voting citizens' evaluations of candidates and political issues, thereby possessing effective control over politics in the United States.

Quotes

 * Ancient Greece gave birth to democracy, but recent events in the country reveal a cruel new twist to self-rule that focuses less on people power and, instead, on the influence of media. Rule by media, or “mediacracy,” results when governments use media to enhance their role in society and media come to represent “the people.”
 * Taso G. Lagos "The dangers of mediacracy" (December 13, 2007 at 12:00 am)