I think real-life gangster really don't give a shit about what the media thinks who's the most powerful. They couldn't care less.
Well George Anastasia believed the wall street journal article had a huge part in Salvies death and Gotti had a radio host shot and numerous reporters have been targeted for article they wrote. I agree that most don't care but I wouldn't doubt John Gotti, Joey Merlino and the like care/cared to an extent