The media provides information to citizens and acts as a watchdog on the government, though freedom of the press has allowed bias to influence reporting. Investigative journalism promotes transparency in government, but the media can also manipulate information and guide public concern on certain topics through bias or not reporting some stories prominently. Citizens must be aware of potential media manipulation when getting their daily news.

1. Media provides the US with information regarding what is happening outside their
windows. Freedom of the press is important, allowing the media to act as a watchdog,
monitoring the government’s actions. However, freedom of the press has led to the use
of bias, and there seems to be an irresistible urge by journalists to interject a gratuitous
remark or personal opinion into their stories. Words have nuances and a nicely placed
word or phrase within an article can cause the reader’s perception to veer in another
direction.
Often, the media is referred to as the “Fourth Branch” of government. Investigative
journalism helps to keep government actions transparent, in the name of providing the
truth to the masses. It helps citizens make informed decisions regarding whom to vote
for, helps them determine a particular bill would be beneficial to their interests, and
even decide whether they should wear a coat. The media is credited with exposing lies
and corruption, such as President Richard Nixon’s involvement with Watergate. Such
knowledge is necessary to sustain a free society.
The dark side of the media is it may be manipulated, feeding citizens misinformation
and guiding concerns of society by focusing on a certain topic. Sometimes major stories
are not reported at all, or are buried deep within a seemingly endless plethora of
information, and inaccurate stories that are front page news are corrected and retracted
weeks later, buried in a less-popular section. Bias helps perpetuate this manipulation,
and citizens must be mindful of this while they get their daily news.