Abstract
Abstract This study examines mass media as an intermediary between individuals and public institutions. The goals are to determine why people trust and distrust mass media and predict their outcomes. Analysis, synthesis, historical analysis, classification and typologization of system analysis, generalization, and comparison were used to complete the study and complete the tasks. The study examines media influence under the assumption that free media promotes healthy democracy in a changing society. Media activity is focused on audience socio-political engagement. A rise in information flow, and most importantly, a lack of critical understanding and filtering by the audience, can harm the opposition, which is a sign of democratic weakness.