I understand your skepticism. Journalists are people who, like everyone else, have some strongly held beliefs. However, journalism is a craft, and the better reporters do a good job of following a story where it takes them.
I think we have all gotten quite good at spotting bias (not that hard, really) and have learned to adjust for it. An "objective, unbiased" reporter is the ideal but none ever fully achieve it.
What is important to me is that a reporter should go after facts, be inquisitive and critical, and use language well so I learn something new and am entertained (in the non-tawdry sense of the word.)
Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
I worked for an alphabet network for 10 years alongside many journalists, some whom you'd probably recognize.
My problem with them and their craft was that reporting frequently was presented with an angle (read: bias). Being a writer myself, I was often frustrated at their lazy (or worse, biased) word choice.
My view of 'spotting' bias is that if someone can spot it, then it can be written out.
My problem with the liberal media is that they don't take the time to write out the bias because it fits their worldview; that is, they agree with it.