Introduction From newspapers to the Internet, the world's media has made great strides over the years. It began as a simple printing press, supported by religious viewpoints, to the mass media, communicating to a large audience through print and electronic media. (GOVT 5 Student Edition. Edward I. Sidlow and Beth Henschen. 2013, pp.221). Dating back to 4000 BC, Sumerian stamp seals were the very first recorded evidence of "ancient media". A cylindrical stone seal with holes at both ends to place a string or pin used as an administrative tool, jewelry, or magical amulet. It was later linked to the invention of cuneiform writing on clay. This very early form of media gave way to modern writing, in which it was used to express feelings, opinions, and oppositions through books, newspapers, and magazines. Over the years, these simple supporters have made tremendous progress with the help of modern technologies. Web browsing, e-books, television, and all these technological advancements have played a vital role in our society. In the United States alone, the right of the press is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Therefore, making it one of the most important civil liberties. According to Sidlow and Henschen GOVT5 Student Edition, “a free press plays a vital tool of the democratic process.” Further stating: “If people want to cast informed votes, they must have access to a forum where they can thoroughly discuss public affairs and evaluate the conduct and competence of their officials. The media provides this forum.” If that were the case, would the media be influenced by someone or some group, such as government officials, to do their bidding? Most mainstream media is owned by giant corporations, which influence news coverage… middle of the paper. ..... Search the web yourself. Compare to the old days when they were limited. To make a good choice about where to find the most reliable source, always look for the facts. Just because information comes from a computer doesn't mean it's true. Always determine fact from fiction, try to grasp biases and straighten the point of view, and make sure to bring out every aspect of every story. Works Cited • Aronoff, Roger. Accuracy in the media. The “flaws” of the Obamacare reform are indicative of greater problems to come. www.aim.org• British Museum. Mesopotamian cylinder seals. • First Thoughts: Has Obama Hit Rock Bottom? First reading. NBCNEWS.com• Gartner, Michael. Ombudsman's Report.• Hart, Peter. Correctness and accuracy in reporting. Obama's Deadly Katrina Websitewww.fair.org• O'Brien, Michael. Still nervous: Cautious Democrats aren't happy with Obamacare "fix." NBC News. NBCNEWS.com