[joe_the_user]

I don't think you need to choose which of these things to "worry about". Instead, I think it's important to mention that direct CIA interference is just the most obvious part of the system of propaganda and if such interference ceased, the propaganda problem would remain.

And more broadly, the press has traditionally served US interests because it's an institution of US society and shares interests with other US institutions. The idea that there could be a purely unbiased press itself something of an American invention - historically, the press has always had a place in on political spectrum.

That not saying the propagandistic quality of the modern press isn't to worry. It's gone a bit from an argument for our side to a manipulation for our side. How bad that still depends on how bad you think the given sides are. The standard argument during the Cold War was "however bad we might act, the other side is worse, so we need to effective". Now, one can find some equivalent if you to defend the situation.