Yes, the media is one of the greatest sources to send out information. Without the media it would be a lot more difficult to inform the public about new laws as well as presidential platforms.
the government does not allow the media to publish false claims about public officials
There is always a certain degree of discretionary agreement between the government and the media but no, essentially, the Australian government does not control the media. The media is essentially free to express as much cynicism and suspicion of the government's actions and motives as they wish.
If the government says something contradictory to that said in the media, the media can claim it as a coverup while the government can only say the media is misleading the people. However, the media usually tells people what they want to hear and thus people are more likely to agree with them against the government.
Russia is a communist government so any media is controlled by the government.
The government should put a check on media to control rumors and fake issues that disappoints media.
The IFC Media Project - 2008 Government and the Media - 2.5 was released on: USA: 31 May 2009
the government does not allow the media to publish false claims about public officials
31 states have passed shield laws to protect the media's source of information.
libel
it could protect me from the government
What you should be asking is whether there is a hacker agency to protect you from Government.
no