Protest songs are alive and well...just not on the Media.
A song CAN change the world. It can solidify a movement such as We Shall Overcome or it can be a tune that can win a war....Yankee Doodle.
Songs can clarify political ideas, mobilize people, work as a campaign song, or take down offensive political figures or authoritarians. That's why Pinochet killed Victor Jara. His songs were too powerful. That's why Pete Seeger was blacklisted for so long.
That's why Woody Guthrie is known today. He brought attention to the plight of the migratory worker.
Paul Robeson was a concert protest singer and was considered anathema by reactionaries.
The songs will always be written because social change is inevitable. Not in some of our lifetimes but they will go on for the future.