Why does the press imagine itself to be some sort of immune system for the country or maybe an afferent nerve network? That is to say, something essential for f

Why does the press imagine itself to be some sort of immune system for the country or maybe an afferent nerve network? That is to say, something essential for function? It's degenerating irreversibly to be some vestigal structure which serves no purpose. Yet still demands nutrients to support itself. Can't the press just be useful to modern society and ensure it's own future existence? Instead "the news" constantly demands special treatment. As if the existence of a downward trend isn't their own fault for sucking relative to all other attention sinks. > pay attention to me and give me money because its good for you what kind of argument is that?