What is the term that describes the process where a few individuals control the flow of information to the public?

The term that describes the process where a few individuals control the flow of information to the public is gatekeeping. Gatekeeping refers to the role of certain individuals or organizations in determining what information is presented to the public, filtering out what is deemed important or relevant, and excluding other information. This can occur in various contexts, including news media, social media platforms, and even academic publishing.

Gatekeeping is significant because it shapes public perceptions and opinions by influencing what content is available for consumption. For instance, journalists, editors, and major media outlets can serve as gatekeepers by selecting stories to cover, determining which voices are heard, and controlling the narrative surrounding specific events or issues. In doing so, they can create a specific context for understanding a topic, potentially shaping public discourse.

While media manipulation, information bias, and censorship are related concepts, they have distinct meanings. Media manipulation often refers to the intentional distortion or misrepresentation of information for specific agendas, while information bias can indicate a slant in the data presented. Censorship, on the other hand, involves the outright suppression of information rather than the selection process that occurs in gatekeeping. Thus, gatekeeping specifically highlights the selective nature of information dissemination in society.