Let's take the MSM for example since they hold the greatest sway on public opinion. Congress may be prohibited from forcing the media to its will, and rightfully so, but as individuals and in aggregate they can profoundly influence what is published and aired by simply stating what they want to be heard whether the media chooses to slant it or not. The media can only ignore what politicians say to the degree that politicians allow themselves to be silenced or opposing factions facilitate a particular bias.
The President is not the only pol with a bully pulpit. Congressmen can also stir and direct debate by forcefully voicing their views. The MSM will cover controversy whether they agree with a POV or not. That is their bread and butter. A politician just has to have the spine to make waves and the will and intelligence to stand firm and push forward their views. Thankfully their are a few who are doing that now on this issue. Inhofe, Boehner and Gingrich come to mind immediately. The more pols who stand with them the louder the debate will get and the more the MSM will cover it even if they try to undermine their position.
For those reasons I won't give Congress a pass. Knowing what's going on and doing the right thing, in law, is what Congress is charged with. It is their obligation to fight media bias. It is their obligation to cut through public ignorance and apathy. It is their obligation to put the people's interests above the interests of special interest groups. It is their obligation to learn which interests best serve the people, inform the people why they think so and then listen to what the people think about that. They are the ones who make the decisions.