What kinds of things do you consider to be included in "the new normal"?
The way I interpreted it, I thought almost any law or societal norm related to public health and safety is what falls under your question.
One example of a change that happened back in the distant past is the widespread adoption of seatbelts. Back in the 70's, no one wore seatbelts -- I don't think the car we had as a kid even had them in the back seat. Then, somewhere around 1980, there was a huge push ... seatbelt laws were created, there were government ads on the radio, the media published stories documenting the research, and the police handed out tickets.
Lots of people hated it and grumbled. There were a few that I knew personally who just flat out would not wear them.
But over time it became accepted -- ie it went from being the "new normal" to just "normal". Today most people put their seatbelt on without thinking, and irregardless of how far they are going to drive.
I don't think it's reasonable to claim that the media could have effected that change by itself.