Test the press
1) Write letters to the editors of all newspapers regarding a sensitive political issue. Perhaps one pointing some screw-ups in the government or one praising the government. Or even letters praising the opposition for something good they've done (non-racial issues, please).
2) Note if the editors actually publish those letters, and who published what.
3) If published, was there any censorship? Was it justified?
From here, one can deduce if the newspapers are really independent and objective.
Try to do this methodically. Be objective and, most importantly, just; refrain from imposing any of your own agendas.
I know there is no such thing as 100 percent objective reporting. News reports are written by humans. And humans have thoughts and beliefs. That's what makes us human.
Want a 100-percent non-aligned news? Get a computer to write it. Then again, the software is written by a human, which adds an element of bias there too.
The following joke sums it all up.
Two boys are playing football in Central Park when one is attacked by a Rottweiler. Thinking quickly, the other boy rips off a board of the nearby fence, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck. A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy.
"Young Giants Fan Saves Friend From Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.
"But I'm not a Giants fan," the little hero replied.
"Sorry, since we are in New York, I just assumed you were," said the reporter and starts again.
"Little Jets Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack" he continued writing in his notebook.
"I'm not a Jets fan either," the boy said.
"I assumed everyone in New York was either for the Giants or Jets. What team do you root for?" the reporter asked.
"I'm a Cowboys fan," the child said.
The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little Maniac Loser Kills Beloved Family Pet."
