Just since the days of Nixion when there was still independent robust journalism - Since then journalism has been in a steady decline, accelerated by the war on terrorism, whereby if you aren't with us - you must be a sympathizer mentality, now culminating with journalists blatantly cheerleading for one status quo candidate while ignoring the obvious flaws.

Journalism can be intimidated by the judiciary and also can be manipulated as this article illustrates how the political class, which is owned by the monied class, wines and dines journalists, giving them access to power and influencing what they write.
http://www.cjr.org/first_person/podesta_emails_journalists_dinner.php