Should media in reference to mass media be treated as a singular or plural noun?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook. For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook.

The MLA follows Merriam-Webster, which states that media can be treated as singular or plural when the reference is to mass media (“Media”). So you may choose either style as long as you are consistent throughout your paper:

The media is reporting about the gala.

The media are reporting about the gala.

Work Cited

“Media, N. (1), Often Attributive.” Merriam-Webster, 2019, www.merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/media.