it is much like polling data in our era... Report the news as you wish the response to be then take a poll to confirm what has been read...i'm always amused when the phrase "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" comes along. 'cause not all romans do the same thing! they don't now, and they probably never did. so which ones should you do the same as?
One would do better to question not only 'authority' but the free press...
Tree can go no farther on these thoughts... At some point they could be considered 'political'. Do not allow yourself not to think...