Even groups of public officials that tend to be portrayed positively on TV are less likely to play the part of heroes today, the study found. The downturn in the government's image dates back to about 1975, the study concluded, and negative portrayals have dramatically increased in the 1990s. The researchers couldn't find a single show in the past decade that made the point that public officials serve the public interest. To make matters worse, it's clear that Americans don't view the bumbling or evil bureaucrats they see on TV as mere fictional creations. I distrust any institution that exercises power.
Government is an all-purpose bad guy. . . .
The government may indeed not be working in our best interests. In an age of political correctness, it's clear that government is about the only institution left that Hollywood can malign with impunity. Yet one 'group' that is oft-maligned yet undefended is government.