poll numbers

They don't fool most of the people most of the time any more:

67% of likely U.S. voters believe the news media have too much power and influence over government decisions... Just 8% think the media have too little power and influence...

Only 20% of all voters say most reporters try to offer unbiased coverage of a political campaign. 72% say most reporters try to help the candidate they want to win.

Just before the November 2008 presidential election, 68% of voters said most reporters try to help the candidate they want to win, and 51% believed they were trying to help Democrat Barack Obama. Just 7% thought they were trying to help his Republican opponent, John McCain.