Most of us think of reporters as brave, enlightened souls who intrepidly uncover facts about corruption and evil around them. We thereby prove our gullibility.
Reporters are told what to write by editors, who work for publishers. They, in turn, work for, and with, other very rich, powerful people who have a very great interest in becoming richer and more powerful. So, most “reporters” merely re-write press releases from causes and companies favored by owners of media.
All over the world, the nightly news is presented by people who have learned to read press releases as if they are believable. They also magnify trivia to replace real news. Teacher strikes, for instance, are always on the news. Nowhere on the news is information about the positive effect that drilling new oil wells would have on every single viewer.
“News” is, therefore divided into two categories. “Press releases” promote desired goals, like not supplying increased kinds of energy at lower prices. “Pablum” replaces bigger problems with the silly trivia that makes up most “news”
Occasionally, there will be “real news”. That includes the occasional bank robbery, fire, murder, or other crime, often with the subtle suggestion that more policemen or firemen should be hired, more laws passed, and various items that the rich and powerful dislike be outlawed.
