This is the opening paragraph of the BLS press release on employment from Feb. 28, 2017. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/srgune.nr0.htm

For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Tuesday, February 28, 2017 USDL-17-0286

Technical information: (202) 691-6392 * lausinfo@bls.gov * www.bls.gov/lau Media contact: (202) 691-5902 * PressOffice@bls.gov

                REGIONAL AND STATE UNEMPLOYMENT -- 2016 ANNUAL AVERAGES

Annual average unemployment rates decreased in 38 states and the District of Columbia, increased in 9 states, and were unchanged in 3 states in 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment-population ratios increased in 36 states and the District, decreased in 12 states, and were unchanged in 2 states. The U.S. jobless rate declined by 0.4 percentage point from the prior year to 4.9 percent, and the national employment-population ratio rose by 0.4 point to 59.7 percent.

Note that BLS uses the U-3 "unemployment rate" of 4.9 percent without qualifications or explanation. Yes, if you read through the fine print in BLS documentation (not the press release), you can determine that U-3 omits allegedly "discouraged workers" as in fact does the broader U-6 measure as well.

The mass media is following the government/BLS lead in promoting the U-3 measure as the "jobless rate." Again, there is no qualification in the opening paragraph, no mention of the broader U-6 measure or the general issue of purportedly discouraged workers.

The uncritical, almost universal repetition of the U-3 number raises the question of the independence of the major mass media, the so-called Mainstream Media or MSM, and the government, and vice versa.