THEY LIVE - Believe the MEDIA?

So much has been applied to this subject:  how much to trust the MEDIA.  

Of course, the MEDIA has many forms from the mainstream or major networks to intermediates and then to home-grown that, in my opinion, are the best, most reliable and often both ingenious and ingenuous.  

As to the mainstream, some six major networks that broadcast in the land, I simply don't believe them due to my sense that they lie--nothing more or less.   

As to the intermediates, I do sometimes catch a broadcast or maybe peruse what seem an interesting, informative topic to me.  These are somewhat independent with a perspective or position of a sub-group, say a religion.   

Then finally there are the small, homegrown variety that for the few that I ardently follow, am duly impressed with their convictions, and more often than not, content.   

Could any or all of these three groups be prone to lie or at the least, intentionally misinformed whatever the motive(s)?  Yes, of course, but I do sense that the more power the more likely to lie and with that, to abuse power.  

I know that the mainstream media is the voice of the state and thus it does the state's bidding.  I also know that many view and follow these networks, believing their content as truth, facts and figures...unadulterated and unvarnished.   

A famous WWII correspondent, Edward Murrow, said:   

A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.  

And perhaps then or about that time, Will Rogers:  

All I know is just what I read in the papers and that's an alibi for my ignorance. 

And finally, from an activist, still living, Ward Churchill: 

The American people are free to do exactly what they're told.