media - singular or plural?
Even though media is historically a plural of the Latin word medium, in some instances you can safely use media with a singular verb, depending on what is meant by media. When media means the broadcast and print press in general, including all its personnel, equipment, and policies, a singular verb is acceptable. The word is also invariably preceded by the in such usages: The media has covered the story ad nauseam. If the writer's idea is to indicate, using media, various separate journalistic outlets and their activities, a plural verb goes with media: The media have differed markedly in their approaches to coverage of the scandal. Avoid using the plural media to refer to a single system or method of communication; use the singular medium instead: Cable television is a relatively inexpensive advertising medium [not media]. Never use the false plural "medias" as in new medias. The correct form is media, as in new media.
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