In the context of mass media, the process by which media outlets influence public perception by selecting which issues are 'newsworthy' is known as:

Explanation

The correct option is

Agenda Setting

In the domain of mass communication and sociology, media outlets exercise significant power in shaping public discourse. This influence is exerted not necessarily by dictating what people should think, but by determining what issues are important enough to think about. This phenomenon is central to the relationship between media and democracy.

Analysis of Options:

• Censorship: This refers to the suppression or prohibition of speech, public communication, or other information that may be considered objectionable, harmful, or sensitive by a government or controlling body. It involves preventing information from reaching the public, rather than prioritizing specific issues.
• Agenda Setting Agenda Setting: This is the correct term for the process by which media organizations select specific stories, issues, or events to cover, thereby signaling to the public that these topics are "newsworthy" and significant. By giving prominence to certain issues while ignoring others, the media sets the "agenda" for public discussion and perception.
• Social Advertising Social Advertising: This refers to advertisements designed to promote social causes (e.g., health awareness, education, sanitation) rather than commercial products. It is a tool for public service communication, not the editorial process of selecting news.
• Public Protest Public Protest: This is a form of collective action where a group of people expresses strong objection to a policy or event. It is a reaction by the public, not a mechanism used by media outlets to select news.

Key Takeaway:
Agenda Setting is the media's ability to influence the salience of topics on the public agenda; by covering certain issues frequently and prominently, the media leads the public to perceive those issues as more important than others.