---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The press does not tell us what to think…"
description: "\"The press does not tell us what to think, it tells us what to think about.\" — Walter Lippmann"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45c/walter-lippmann-1083_doe_the-press-does-not-tell-us-what-to-think_1419429.jpg"
---

#  The press does not tell us what to think, it tells us what…

![“The press does not tell us what to think, it tells us what to think about.” quote by Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45c/walter-lippmann-1083_doe_the-press-does-not-tell-us-what-to-think_1419429.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45c/walter-lippmann-1083_doe_the-press-does-not-tell-us-what-to-think_1419429.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45c/walter-lippmann-1083_doe_the-press-does-not-tell-us-what-to-think_1419429.jpg)

> “The press does not tell us what to think, it tells us what to think about.”

[Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Media shapes public focus rather than dictating specific beliefs, highlighting agenda‑setting power.

**In simple terms:** Media tells us what to think about.

Key Takeaway

Question what topics are being highlighted.

Themes

media influence agenda setting public opinion

Mood

critical inquisitive

Type

analytical observational

When to use this quote

- political campaigns
- news consumption
- social media
- public debates

Key Concepts

agenda‑setting framing information control

Questions to Reflect On

- How does this affect your own information diet?
- What topics are you missing?

A Different Perspective

It may overlook individual agency in interpreting topics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

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