Based on the coverage of this presidential campaign, how is today’s news media better or worse than it was 20 or more years ago?

In 1987 the FCC, under the Reagan administration, abolished the Fairness Doctrine, which eliminated the limits on what broadcast journalists could say on TV and radio, and gave birth to Fox News (GOP-TV), which I consider to be hugely responsible for the Dumbing Down of Americans.  Fox so-called “News” was banned in Canada (February 2011) because they have laws demanding truth in news.  “Fox is not welcomed in a democracy”; it is an entertainment station that broadcasts Republican-propaganda to America 24/7.  The problem with that is: many people think that it is fair and balanced “news”.  Trusted reporter, Dan Rather, asserts that there is a definite decline in investigative journalism and stated, “When journalists and news organizations feel more pressure to make money than to provide a public service (and speak truth to power) — it is dangerous in a society such as ours which is a constitutional republic based on the principles of freedom and democracy — it can be lethal”.   An example of integrity in reporting is Rachel Maddow (MSNBC); she does her homework consistently well and provides high quality coverage.  (Also very good reporting comes from: Lawrence O’Donnell and Chris Hayes).