This statement was made by Dan Rather, a respected and longtime anchor of the CBS News. The record clearly shows that the cover-up would have worked if the press hadn't done its job. Congress and the courts didn't have a clue about the Watergate crimes, and federal investigators wised up only after repeated and constant coverage by journalists.
Rather's statement highlights what role of the media in a democratic society?
a. assist the government by influencing public opinion in favor of new policies
b. serve as a watchdog and expose corruption and wrongdoing
c. report on trials and legal issues related to the government
d. use influence to persuade people to support particular candidates for office