Media can be defined as any medium through which an idea is conveyed, with the hope of inspiring change, or simply to inform the public. In a general sense, media have existed since ancient times in writing, art, speech, and countless other forms. The ancient form of print undoubtedly had an impact on society, but it was not until the mid-19th century that the media began to modernize and take on a new form that would give them even greater power over their audiences. This period was a time of incessant warfare, social progress, and economic fluctuation. The advancement of modern media in this era was no accident: the significant change and turbulence across the country was something that could not be ignored, therefore forcing the press to take charge and publicize the problems that were occurring across the nation. Although the impact of media on American history began with colonial America and the use of newspapers, the period from the 1930s to the 1960s was the most significant stage in the development and ultimate modernization of the impact of media about war, politics and society. After the advent of radio in the 1920s and television in the 1950s, the influence of the press in America was limited to newspapers. Newspapers, which had existed for several hundred years, certainly had an effect on people as a source of information, however the newspaper's reach was limited to those who were literate. Colonial newspapers were generally published weekly, with articles on religion, foreign events, cartoons, and advertisements (Breig). Without modern technology, the interval between the occurrence of an event and its news was quite long due to the relatively slow pace of communication during… middle of paper… relies on its audience—without an audience it would be meaningless disseminate news and information. The symbiotic relationship between the press and its audience is constantly evolving. Today, with technology developing at an almost exponential rate, media has an ever-increasing presence in everyday life. Information is now available instantly almost everywhere, to the point that it is actually difficult to escape its influence. Advertising and social media plague nearly every form of technology available. While these cutting-edge technological advancements make communication as simple as the click of a button, the true effects on society have yet to be seen. The beginnings of mass media from the 1930s to the 1960s ultimately laid the foundation for modern media, which will undoubtedly have profound effects for a long time to come..