"To manipulate the masses" means to influence or control a large group of people's thoughts, opinions, or behavior, usually for the benefit of those doing the manipulation. Full definition
But religion is a creation of man, a way of creating not hope, but rather of manipulating the masses of non-thinkers. (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
It subverts how shallow is the aim of the district youth to reach only for celebrity and how the games are used by the base Snow to manipulate the masses by using the games as a distraction from their miserable lives. (homepages.sover.net)
«American artist Robert Heinecken made some of the most exciting works of his generation by manipulating mass media imagery. (purple.fr)