Is News Media Biased?

As I was reading a book entitled, "Power of the News Media," I came across this quote by former senator Alan Simpson, "Well, [the media are] not there to be cheerleaders. We wouldn't expect that of them. But they're there to replace one ism with another ism. They're there to replace skepticism with patriotism..." How much should we be relying on the media for our information? Our we getting news media or propaganda? If news mediums are presenting information that is biased, are they perpetuating conflicts?

Another thought I found was in a book entitled, "Critical Studies in Media Commercialism." In this book it talks about how audiences have come to "expect fast-paced, visually exciting programmes." What kind of effects does this have on the political life? The book suggests that "the effect on political life will be devastating. There will be less emphasis on issues, substance, and ideology, and an increase in the importance of image and style."

What effects does news media have on political decisions? What effects does news media have on public opinions towards other people?