Explaining the role of mass media in public policy as soft power

Modern governments have complex societies and mechanisms. These societies cannot be managed with immediate, simple and comprehensive decisions. As one of the pillars of modern society, media and social networks play a significant role in optimal and efficient public policy. The influence and manner of connecting media and public policy is one of the new topics in the field of public policy studies. In this article, the impact of mass media as soft actors on public policy was investigated using the library method. The results of this study show that the media plays a positive and negative dual role in policy making. The positive side of establishing and linking public opinion with the government and persuading the majority of people to increase the probability of success of policies, its negative side, especially with the expansion of social networks, the boom of populism and providing false information to the society, and finally creating social barriers against some policies and creating obstacles for The reforms are fundamental.