The Media, a harbinger of information or destroyer of society?

The media has become this massive beast that many people cannot find a middle ground. I have witnessed the media first hand invade someone's privacy to the point that person is no longer seen as a person but as a fodder for gossip. I have seen the media step up as provider and guardian of the country in providing information that is needed for the masses to make educated choices instead of opinionated ones. How then is it that when we look at the different sources of media, they are skewing the information that is being presented. The television medium has made President Obama out as a man without error and has consistently refused to push issues and demands to know why he is doing what he is doing behind people's backs. If one listens to the radio medium, they find the opposite. The internet itself is poor in it's processing of information to the public and has shown even greater positioning than what it was designed. The internet is suppose to be this massive free speech area, but it has become the speech of those with the most money. It gets even more pathetic when we can no longer open a newspaper and see the putrid journalism that has resulted in the loss of being above sides. Up until about the era of World War II, one could find true journalism that presented the facts as they came across them. The 40s through the 60s showed the decline of what it is for journalists and news media. The government dictated what was said, what was released, and then destroyed or slandered and libeled against those that did present the information unbiasedly. The late 60s and 70s showed a comeback of investigative journalism that did have an ultimate goal of truth in all mediums. However, the 80s showed decline due to people being stuck in a pop culture binge that they are still following. Every now and then a medium will present a truly spectaclar piece that has authentic sources, shows support through evidence other than just heresay, and makes it worthwhile to sit down and read a newspaper whether it be in print or electronic. When the media was providing pictures, stories, even live on the scene shots, they became a major proponent for political figures. It is amazing that many of the most important decisions politicians make over our lives is dependent upon what the electoral college wants, or what will help them win the next election for themselves or their parties. If making a decision could save millions, but is politically unsound, then the vote will never pass. On the side of disturbing, if the decision will kill millions, but would likely lead to re-election, the vote will be casted that way. So now we are stuck with the very worrying proposition, is it the politician that is leading things or is it media? How can us simple few Americans step up and make the important ideas that are necessary to push our country, it's economy and people, back to the forefront of what the world is to be modelled after? Finally, one must take into consideration, is it proper to rock the boat....wait a minute, the average citizen is following the act of appeasement, we have all seen how well that works with Hitler, Napolean, modern day politicians.  What do you think?