TV NEWS The New Mouthpiece of Marketers?

Is it just me or is the media becoming more and more the distribution point of choice for marketers seeking free advertising? I always thought the purpose of the TV news was to provide unbiased information to its audience of world and local events. It seems more and more time is being devoted to those who have something to sell. I don't' see this as being newsworthy. I would like to see more in depth reports of issues affecting us all and less pitching of cunsumables.