Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
Newsmen believe that news is a tacitly acknowledged fourth branch of the federal system. This is why most news about government sounds as if it were federally mandated -- serious, bulky and blandly worthwhile, like a high-fiber diet set in type.
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Summary
This quote suggests that journalists perceive news as an essential pillar of the government structure. It implies that news about the government is often delivered in a formal, serious manner, akin to official government communication. The comparison of news to a high-fiber diet set in type implies that it is meant to be purposeful and substantial, but it may lack excitement or appeal to a wider audience. Overall, the quote reflects the belief that news plays a significant role in the functioning of the federal system and is presented as such.