Media: Does it shape or reflect reality?

Last semester when I was completing my minor in communications, two of my communication classes brought up an interesting topic ; does the media shape or reflect reality. At first, I thought it was a what came first chicken or the egg situation where it was nearly impossible to say it could happen one way or the other. However, as I watch the news coverage of the presidential campaigns, I have have realized that the media has lost its objectivity and instead of reflecting what happens in the campaigns and the debates, they openly try to shape reality to make their favorite candidate seem favorable despite what anyone else or his records have to say. Even worse, some networks such as MSNBC have reached the point where they are dealing in absolutes; if you are not for our candidate then you must be a racist. Choosing candidates by these emotional appeals is no way to choose candidates.