can the 4th branch of government--the media--start WWIII?

did the founding fathers ever consider that the media could become the most powerful branch of government?

the nonstop media of the 21st century are pervasive; they have incredible power: 
   - in domestic issues
   - in international issues
   - in cultural issues
   - in politics
   - in public opinion
media "reports" are often long on opinion and short on facts, failing to distinguish the critical differences between the two. it doesn't matter to the media. they fan their self absorption with disturbing 24-7 images and speculation. 

the media create "scenarios", heroes, villains and victims. one media source's hero may be another's villain, and vice versa. the public react. the media love it. politicians react--they either love the attention or hate it, depending on if they're portrayed as hero or villain. the cycle continues.

the current media obsession with kim jong un and north korea has all the elements:
   - endless scenarios (never mind the facts)
   - villains (kim jong un, trump, china, russia, etc.)
   - victims (US, north korea, etc.)
   - heroes (trump, democrats, etc.). 
the principals in this nuclear chicken, or "mine is bigger than yours", drama struggle to be seen as a hero rather than a villain. the media react. the public react. the principals react. the drama, fanned by the media, continues to cycle and escalate.

where will it all end?

maybe the media should just give it a rest, particularly the disturbing images shown over and over again of kim jong un, trump, icbms, north korean military parades, US military hardware, etc.

but then, that would be the responsible thing to do.
don't hold your breath.