@Zaku Think of children, for a moment. If that mentally ill guy on the corner is reviled by a child’s parents, the child will hate, fear, or feel negatively about the person. If the child’s best friend next door has parents who are sympathetic or support the person, the child will feel its the right thing to do.
The same is true with media. If one radio station carries an impossible to believe story, then most will reject it as ridiculous. But if nine networks, out of laziness or bias, carry the story, then it will be a lot more credible. If the neighbors are throwing their belongings out the window and heading for Canada, Springfield, or the Cascades, most people will think something is really going on.
My sister believed the economy was bad when in fact it was robust and growing. Why? Were the signs around her? No. She heard it on the news. ALL the news she subscribed to. We ‘just hadn’t seen it yet.’