I don't know about media in other countries, but here in Pakistan the root cause for creating frustration and tension around people is media. The last thing we now need is more frustration.
I once counted the number of news channels I get on my cable, and the numbers crossed 22!! And I'm just talking about the "pro" non-stop Pakistani news channels!
You'll find less news and more people sitting and talking. This is our nation is going towards, no work just "talk".
Side effect? You go out anywhere in Pakistan at any given time or date and you'll find guys in groups scattered around the city and talking. So their priority in life is less productivity and just talk whatever comes in your mouth.

And don't even get me started on the Pakistani soaps! Inspired by Indian soaps.

Corrupting the brain with so much greed, lies in soaps and always bad news on news channels.

Yes it is of course Shaping, just go outside and try to correct someone, and you'll see the level of tolerance here. No one accepts his/her fault. So this is how slowly we are being poisoned.

Reflection ?!?! :
I think they are more interested in selling themselves and get higher ratings than reflect the society. That is why they convey news that are more chilly, exciting or hardcore. They even present normal news in these manner because frankly we, Pakistani like "Sansanikhez" (exciting) news. So in a way they present the society in a way they want rather than how it actually is.

Shaping ?!?! :
Yes. It must have been observed by everyone that Media has made a huge impact on society and its culture. The positive change is the masses of Pakistan are actually starting to use their brains to differentiate b/w good and bad, friends and enemies and to face the harsh realities of the societies.

It definitely doesn't reflect our society in its entirety. They are selective. In the newsroom, the newscaster has a team of field researchers who collect stories. And these field researchers have to sell their stories to the newscaster, else the newscaster will say, 'you're wasting my time.' So, no. There's no balance there. It is always the, what rakes in ratings, regardless of how tipped towards the worst they make people feel.
But I must admit that it does shape our society. Media was the biggest influence in the selling of wars in the past half-century. Propaganda at its best. We Muslims know that very well, as we are, unfortunately, at the receiving end of it.

For the most part, nowadays, it is shaping our society. People are so inspired by what they see. It's a rat race to be like that model on TV or that guy in the drama. Can also be a in a good way if the media tries to portray a better society.

The modern day definition of media in Pakistan: Any semi-educated person with an opinion who becomes an anchor and screams above the panel of people they invite to discuss a certain issue. The host screaming isn't bad enough , it's an interrogation and barrage of questions being rapidly fired , which may be Koffee with Karan inspired. Without any concrete answers ,solutions or even a detailed thorough answer the buzzer goes off and the time in the hot seat is over;see you again next week .
In media studies , a class of atleast 150 students almost none said they watched geo .Why? Because it was always sensationalizing a story .Now after the ban , things have changed though.What's forbidden is sweeter and all that.
If the media was shaping our lives, then shame on us for living such lives.And shame on those who control the media for shaping such human beings.

Media (radio, television, news papers, etc.) has a huge impact on people and it somehow not only shapes those people (their lives, their culture, the society they live in), but also represent them in one way or the other. It works both ways.

media does not represent society. it's always self incentive

Sadly, Media is money-driven. Business houses, Political parties fund news channels which help them cook their own dishes.

Media does represent our society but the story is one sided ... !