IntroductionMass media plays a major role in how communities perceive the environment and events around them. The power of the media is essential. Even more than major political leaders, major religious leaders or organizations. It's a bold statement to make, but one that's hard to argue against, especially in an age where everything is instantaneous. This essay critically examines the role the media plays in public perception of new religious movements. It will examine how the media portrays new religious movements, the techniques used in this portrayal, examples of events covered by the media, and the accuracies and inaccuracies of reporting. The role of mass media in our daily lives Nowadays, media is all around us. We have become a world obsessed with “knowledge”. Being aware of what is happening in the world gives many a feeling of liberation. We believe that by gaining insight into the lives of others, understanding the intricacies of our global environment, and being aware of what we define as "news," we will in some way equip ourselves other of the tact necessary to successfully meet the inevitable challenges. life will throw us. While this may not be the most objective view on the nature of information in our society, one certainly cannot dispute its ever-increasing presence in our lives. From roadside billboards to the smartphones in our pockets, information surrounds us and is rarely out of reach. The media, or mass media, the latter referring to various media outlets determined to disseminate information to a mass audience for mass consumption, depicts current events. Many emphasize the vital role media plays in our lives, especially in times of crisis. However, one must remember the middle of the document......Religious movements are concerned. General Representation of New Religious Movements by Mass Media When one considers the small percentage of the world's population that members of new religious movements make up it is surprising how much media coverage they have received. To a large extent, the only media coverage the new religious movements have received has been negative. Violence between communities and members of the New Religious Movement, internal conflicts of the movements and conflicts with the law are often current events in an ever-increasing threat to civil society from these strange mysteries and movements. We rarely, if ever, hear about the good that a new religious movement does. Drive, 64-82