Some people accept the news they read in newspapers and watch on television as the gospel truth. Is such trust in our mass media justified? Do you really know who's telling you what to think-and why?

Editorial note from Jerold Aust

Many people's outlook on current events, culture, society and the world is shaped by the news they read and hear. But how truthful is most reporting? Can you-and should you-believe everything you hear?

Except for reruns, the days of Perry Mason, Lawrence Welk, Jack Benny and Bob Hope are gone forever.

According to a study conducted for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, "sexual content on television has risen sharply since 1997, showing up in two of every three programs last season."

"Sex, Sex and More Sex [on TV], and Very Little Sense."

It's no secret that American children spend a lot of time with TV, computers, music and video games.

Father Knows Best was a popular American television series several decades ago. But on television Father doesn't know best anymore.