zlacker

Haven't read it since the 90's but the "toeing the line" bit sounds like the criticism that the media are uncritically dependent on official sources. A reporter's dependence on a particular official as a source of information and the resultant reluctance to alienate such a source was proposed to explain why media outlets have the effect of uncritically promulgating government policy or propaganda.

I don't think this situation has changed in essence. Media outlets may now filter first on party affiliation, but they haven't replaced their dependence on official sources with better independent investigative reporting, for instance.

> On the contrary, the media has had little except harsh criticism for the government in this time frame

Or glowing, fawning reverence. It depends on the media outlet and the official (really the official's party) in question. The screw turned for Cuomo, but I imagine for every Cuomo, there are more darlings that go unchallenged.