As a British friend of mine once said "we live in an age of nutters". (That was in 1983...I think it's not only still true , it's ALWAYS true)
Here's the thing. In the 1950's we , as a culture, grew to respect and admire News commentators and academics. The Most trusted man in America" was a journalist and news commentator who destroyed his own image , and those who followed him by admitting (AFTER he retired) that he wasn't honest at all and actually TRIED to shape the news. That would lead to journalist being rated in public opinion polls well after politicians' and lawyers! And not all that ahead of child molesters! This cannot have but helped in their own diminishment and ability to sway opinion.
In the 1960's academia was targeted by revolutionary and other youth groups was destruction , disrespect and diminishment. It succeeded beyond any ones wildest dreams. Now some of those SAME former students are the academic leaders and are demanding respect and obedience. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT! [:D]
My point is that in both cases these two formerly powerful groups have largely reduced themselves to a punch line. In their place have arisen even more powerful , yet proletariat entities. Due to the computer/internet combination , ANYONE can be a news commentator. Even former reporters who broke with their former masters (in his case the Washington Post) to get their own view out. News is no longer in lockstep with the "big three" networks in the USA. And like any monopoly who loses exclusive control , the big three are dying.
Academia likewise no longer has the death grip on education they once had. Colleges no longer turn away 20 applicants for everyone they accept , but scrabble for every single one. Only the biggest schools can now say whatever they please without being cut off by their biggest funding group , their own alumni. Colleges like U Colorado and Duke university have been bit by the folly of insulting the beliefs and values of those alumni. Many colleges and graduate schools have significantly scaled back their class sizes.
In the case of both these formerly powerful entities , they like the Pekingese dog (that once was the same size as lions) haven't yet recognized how much their influences have shrunk. While neither is yet irrelevant , both are tremendously diminished. How many here can name the three major news anchors of the "big three networks"? You could from the 1950's to the 19980's. That's just one example.
So instead of struggling to regain what they lost , each of these institutions have "dove for the basement" in the "How low can you go sweepstakes". News is largely what which bimbo is wearing where, and colleges keep coming up with weirder and more numerous ways to "protect the feelings" of their inmates (sorry, I meant students). [:D]
My point in this long winded spiel is simply this: don't worry quite so much. 1) the "silent majority" (as Nixon termed them is starting to rebel). College enrollment , funding and endowments are way down , technical schools and other vocational education is up. On line classes are in many ways replacing traditional. And news? People are going to blogs , direct sources , "renegade news channels and papers" (from Fox , to on line news papers like the Washington examiner to , well the possibilities are endless.
In short , while messier , information is out there. People as a whole are searching for the whole story , or at least the "not reported" part. While that will lead to some nutcases and "conspiracy lovers", we've always had that. But anyone who really wants information can find it. Via internet , self published books, records on line , real video........
As a relatively recent TV show used to declare "the truth is out there". Or my own feelings , "People are much less willing to be mushrooms". [:D]