Most of the government news reported to the public comes from official government sources. Studies of the public's source of news clearly demonstrate that most people rely on television as their main source of news. They also view television as the most credible source of news. Their attentiveness is related to several factors. However, people seem to recall little of the news to which they have been exposed over the year, and studies show that those who rely most on television tend to have less ability to see differences among political candidates than those who rely on other sources of information.
Ample evidence supports the charge that working journalists tend to hold liberal views.
What seems clearest from studies of media bias is that journalists tend to distrust politicians of either party, which encourages them to act in an adversarial manner when researching stories. Unlike early radio programs about cops and robbers, contemporary television police drama tend to undercut confidence in the criminal justice system. Overall, the media play contradictory roles in the socialization process, both supporting the system by celebrating national holidays and undermining order by publicizing grievances, corruption, and even terrorism. As new media systems, such as the information highway, develop more fully, their impacts on the political process will also require analysis. The media contribute to democracy by critical reporting of government actions and by communicating to the government the public's attitudes and reactions.