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On the contrary I think they know exactly what they're doing because they know it gets views and fame and glory, pandering to an audience that will follow their every last word, providing that word is the exact narrative in demand

WHile this may be true in some cases, many journalists are quite intelligent and educated and also want to do their research.

However they also need money. Money from newspaper (or TV) companies for who research is costs and as such reduced to the absolute minimum.

In the newspaper market it means (exampel Germany) that nearly all the "regional" newspapers are owned by just 4-5 companies. And most of the content is made in central offices (mostly Berlin) and just branded.

German satire show "Anstalt" did a nice research job just in the last show.

Look at the many different newspapers at the start and then at time 4:23 and 7:07

I am surprised to read something from you that actually makes sense. You should try that when you write in German, as well...

My writing always has sense. And mostly does make sense (everybody fails sometimes). But, alas, communication always requires two sides ;)