Over time, the ruling class co-opts the more compliant and opportunistic elements of "the press," plying these elements with creature comforts and psychic rewards like "prestige" and "gravitas." Eventually, those elements of "the press" that are willing to sell out get absorbed into the ruling class, and become part of it.
As that happens, the co-opted parts of "the press" are no longer accomplishing what "the press" is supposed to do, under the theory of our Constitutional government, the separation of powers doctrine, etc. They're now part of the real government, the elites in the ruling class. This class exists in every society, in every culture; ours is no exception.
As this "absorption" process operates, new generations of jounalists have to be allowed to emerge, to challenge the elites. The co-opted elements of "the press" will, of course, fight this tooth and nail. They must, not least because although they have become one with the rulers, their usefulness to the ruling class continues only as long as they act as propagandists, as avatars for real journalism. Once they can no longer fool the people into thinking their freedoms are being protected by "the press," their power, perqs, and prestige are in jeopardy.
Thus, "the press" must constantly be renewed.
The tree of freedom must first be watered by the tears of journalists.
If this doesn't happen, the blood of tyrants comes next.
(c) Steely Tom, 2010.