The other issue for newspaper and radio/TV journalists/reporters is their natural inclination to go to the Government as the font of all wisdom & truth on a topic. Especially so, if the Government media unit produces the media releases for journo rookies who are new to the topic.
In addition there is the blatant character assassination & white-anting that goes on by the Government sources to deter the media from even thinking of engaging with or giving any oxygen to the ‘usual suspects’.
And if that doesn’t work, there’s always the “lunch list” [invitations to a nice venue, a wine & dine or a jolly day out to an exotic destination at the Government’s expense]; the offer of an big ‘exclusive’ newsbreaker story and FINALLY, the dangled suggestion that a very well paid job just might be available for a not-too-cute journo in the Government Media Liaision Unit.
Does this makes sense?
