The media did not steal the documents. For that they would have had to have access to government classified documents. Officials within the government stole the documents and leaked them to sympathetic media people. Thus, the media who published the story did nothing illegal, just irresponsible. It’s the government leakers who broke the law.
But, as I say, if there’s a CW II, there’s no telling what an angry mob of deplorables might do to a notorious fake news talking head before the federal troops show up to save him from the noose.
> The media did not steal the documents.
In at least one known case, a thing of value (sexual favors) was traded for classified information, on a regular basis.
That’s not journalism, that’s espionage. A journalist can receive classified info free and clear, but buying it is a whole ‘nother ballgame.