David Manning White

David Manning White was a pioneering American communication scholar best known for developing the "gatekeeping theory." He studied how news editors and journalists decide which stories to publish or broadcast, essentially acting as filters that influence public perception. White's work highlighted the importance of these gatekeepers in shaping information flow and societal awareness, emphasizing the power of editorial choices in the media landscape. His research remains foundational in understanding media processes and the impact of news selection on public opinion.