As mentioned above, the press in this nation has been given wider levity than anywhere else on earth. This has been done, from a constitutional perspective, to ensure that the people, tasked with the responsibilities of self-governance, remain adequately informed to do so.
I'm aware of far too few journalists who seem to be aware of there simple responsibilities in this role, or who appear to take it seriously.
I do not begrudge any person earning whatever they can legally earn by doing whatever they legally do, yet, when the social utility of a profession, particularly one assigned certain responsibilities and stipulated certain rights abandons that role simply for, "the scoop," facts be damned, they have seriously malfunctioned.
It's particularly visible in this case, because the failure to check facts and confirm information before 'running with the story,' amounted to little more than the most sinister of pranks on an entire community. There are countless times where the press has damaged the reputations and livliehoods of individuals and families with little remorse for similar failures to confirm the truth.
I know whose fault it is - sounds the makin's of a good ol' Bushfault!