It allows citizens to influence policy, local values, and local government priorities
The answer to this question is Media Monopolies.
Media monopolies refers to a situation where a certain company gained fully control on a certain segment of the market, without any worthy competitors. ESPN is known to control almost all news network regarding sport-related topics while disney control almost all chilren-related shows.
This depends for example on where the individuals live and for example in many countries of Western Europe people might be relatively well informaed of their rights
But generally I believe people are not too empowered because:
1) they don't challenge unfavorable work contracts
2) they don't take sick leave even if they can
3) they don't challenge their supervisors out of fear of loosing a job
4) they rarely seek justice in court
5) they might not be aware of their right to sick leave for example