The “Medea” (Media) as Modern-Day Chorus

As we talked about in class, the chorus had more than one function.  Sometimes the chorus would offer background info.  Sometimes it would comment on the themes of the play.  Sometimes, and perhaps most importantly, it would voice the ideal reaction of the audience. 
Here’s a line from Wikipedia: “credited with an almost irresistible power to mold an audience's beliefs, cognition and behaviors.”
Sound like the chorus?
Actually, that quote describes the role of the media.
Although obviously the media and the chorus aren’t exactly the same, and there are many differences between the two, I think it’s worth considering the parallels between them.  For example, the media disseminates information to the public, and often shapes the public’s perception.  The chorus also offered “information” and opinions to its audience, shaping the viewers’ own thoughts about the action of the play.  The media also functions as a sort of watchdog—monitoring public figures and essentially making sure there’s blowback if they mess up, asserting opinions on what’s going on in the world, et cetera.  As Medea interacts with the chorus, many important people interact with the media.

“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.”
-As You Like It by Shakespeare

This quote by the famous playwright Shakespeare relates life and stage, people and players, aging and acts.  Can we extend the metaphor?