flak machine, n.All

A Flak machine (n.) keeps ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠the press inside the patriotic agenda by denouncing it, loudly, for ever straying outside.

A Flak machine (n.) is ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠an outfit funded to attack the press — and the press repays it with respectful attention, op-ed space and talk-show seats, rarely mentioning who pays.