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The press is an important part of a culture, the media's role is to scrutinize and spur debate in public society. The founding Fathers set up checks and balances in the government and the press is included in limiting the government from overstepping and keeping politicians in check. The media must pride themself in asking important questions to Chapelle the people in charge but also getting the facts right and sending important information to the community and around the world. The media also tells the truth in society but they also need to follow the laws. 

Watergate changed the way politics is practiced in today's society. Before Watergate, it was easy for politicians to use government-run organizations for personal reasons. Spying on competitors with the CIA or FBI, or using government funds to run political campaigns. In order to restore faith in the U.S. political system, senators pass legislation that combats the corrupting influence of money in politics; promotes ethics and transparency within government, and eliminates corruption at all levels of government. Providing people with protection against abuses of government power; and limiting some extraordinary exercises of presidential authority, such as the federal budget process, government practices for protecting individuals and personal information, and oversight of the intelligence community. The War Powers Act, 1973, which limits the powers of the government, was passed after the Watergate scandal. This law prevents the president from going into war without the approval of Congress. The Election Campaign Act,1974 this Act set limits to contributions and spending on campaigns, the Privacy Act,1974 Set rules for the government's collection of information about people. Freedom of Information Act, 1974 Gave people the right to see government documents about them. All of these laws help limit the government from over steeping into people's lives and also keeping the Politicians in check. 

 Irongate was a big scandal during the Presidency Ronald Reagan era. The national security council became involved in selling weapons and other activities that were prohibited by the U.S Congress. Under Ronald Reagan, the white house lied about selling weapons to terrorists in exchange for 44 U.S citizens who had been captured by iron terrorists. Congress had to investigate how Ronald Reagan managed the crisis. Irongate shows how even the most powerful person in America can not get away with unlawful acts. The media played an important role in telling the American people the truth about Irangate because President Regan was talking to terrorists and making a secret deal behind closed doors. Mainstream media outlets began questioning the government and various ways society works. Freedom of the press is the holds the key value of democracy.