The only people that think the media has any power are the media. The rest of us see them for what they are. Self serving "writers" with some hidden agenda. Usually some sort of lobbyist.

This column made me laugh out loud.

This article shows the folly of the two SLC daily papers continuing to ignore the City Weekly. Reporters like Eric Peterson are filling the investigative reporting void, and if the two biggies don't start stepping it back up on that front, they will continue to lose viability.

When we are more concerned with 'who' writes the story than we are with 'what' was reported, we have given away our personal responsibility to find the facts for ourselves.

Anyone who reads newspapers knows that editors squash anything that does NOT conform to the 'powers that be', whether those powers rest on the shoulders of a moderator or whether they are written in stone and stored in the sealed vaults that are only accessible by the elite.

Truth is truth, no matter how it is slanted or how many editors or moderators disagree.

Politicians carefully choose their friends in the media. Those 'friends' should never betrusted to write the truth.

Editors and moderators who filter words so that their 'idea' of truth always wins are ignoble scum who are to be ignored at any gathering where truth is expected to be found.

Mike Richards has some valid points. It is the solemn duty and obligation of any journalist to write and print the truth, regardless of public palatability or popularity. Any skewing or altering of truth to play to a readership is ultimately a lie.

Investigative reporting,as seen, today seems to be saturated with "crusaders" rather that reporters who don't let their biases or preconceptions get in the way of hard-nose fact finding.
This category of reporters are no long watchdogs protecting the public but rather protectors their own personal (or group's) political agendas.The public is much more astute and aware of this than many journalists realize. A large segment of the population is looking to alternative sources for information.It is all a result of a desire to be an independent thinker instead of being told what to think.

It is very easy to judge the media as a whole in a sweeping statement like "Self serving 'writers' with some hidden agenda. Usually some sort of lobbyist" (Anonymous at 4:21 a.m.). But that is total ignorance.
Yes, there are definitely those who call themselves journalists but are really just advocates for a position or party.
Yes, there are instances of journalists who openly and shamelessly disclose their biases through their reporting.
But there are many hard-working, thoughtful people at newspapers and TV stations throughout the country who do their best to bring people the news in a straightforward, honest, and accurate manner. These people do not have an agenda to push. These people keep their opinions to themselves and simply seek the truth, no matter who it helps or hurts. These journalists can be found everywhere and deserve more respect and thanks than being called self-serving writers with an agenda.
Anyone in any profession can make a mistake. Journalists are far from perfect. Their work is open to public praise and criticism. But don't criticize ignorantly. Provide facts and specifics if you make such a statement about an honorable profession.