The Media - Economy Cause & Effect

I think the majority of people and consumers don't follow what specific events are happening with the economy. ie. what exactly is causing the economy and the dollar to fluctuate, be stimulated, or tank.

Besides massive issues like the housing crisis, most people haven't an idea whats happening with the economy. They aren't trained economists. They aren't savvy forecasters. Most of the sheep listen in to what the media tells them.

If the media says we're in a recession, then I guess we're in a recession and we better hold back those pennies we were about to splurge on un-necessities.

Is the media to blame for perpetuating the problem? As well as some government officials trying to save their skin by saying that a recession is looming?

If nobody really said anything, wouldn't people just go on spending like drunken sailors the way they have been the last many years?

Of course consumer spending is only a small cog in the economic equation, but it can't hurt when people decide to go ahead anyway buying that 3rd car, or do that remodel, or continue to eat out 4 times a week instead of swapping to ramin.

I don't know. I'm one of those economically challenged persons who only hears this crap through the media. So now my kitchen countertops gots to wait dammit!