The Media as a Tool for Public Opinion Manipulation: Disclosure, Evaluation, Response

With the rapid development of information technology, especially the Internet, people have been becoming more dependent on the information that surrounds them. Contemporary media are not only a means to obtain daily information, but also a source of manipulative influence in order to form public opinion for the benefit of certain political forces or groups of people. The article deals with the influence of mass media on the formation of public opinion using manipulative technologies. The basic manipulative techniques and methods used by modern media are described. Particular attention is given to the role of libraries in enhancing media literacy. Recommendations are given for identifying and minimizing manipulative influences in the preparation of information and analytical production of libraries.