The media believes it is the 4th branch. Unfortunately, it may be more than belief. I can only thank the powers that be that it is not governmentally funded like the BBC. In any event, in this instance, the Times has done the U.S. a favor in two ways.
One, the more talk of war the more acclimated the public becomes to the idea of a war with Iran. In other words it makes swollowing the medicine that much easier.
Two, Akma.... whatever, has got to wonder if indeed the U.S. is prepared to go to war. To the extent it is possible to deter, non militarily, Iran from its nuclear ambitions, and I'd rate this possibility as extremely low, then, and to that extent, it is helpful if Akma..., whatever, beleives we are locked and loaded. The clearer the picture of war presented to this madman the better.
So, on this rare occassion, I thank the Times.
By and large you are correct, except that there is substantial government funding for PBS. It was around $60 million just a few years ago.