A necessary tool? What freaking planet do you live on? It's a bought and paid for tool of the left! It's the official propaganda arm of the Dems/left! Kissing their butt and making nice and hoping they'll present both sides of the issues and do fair reporting or interviews is INSANITY! You're either really, really stupid or a leftist. I can't believe you're talking such idiotic smack.
I'm sorry if you don't deal with the media in your life or understand its intracacies. Get yourself involved in the political process. You have a lot to learn.
As for myself, I have to learn the meaning of "smack". Is that new school?