In their world, the way to gain notoriety is through (their own) outrage and absurdity.
I don't think these people are smart enough to report the truth. Instead, it's become their “truth” to “report” and comment supporting an ideology they're paid to support, just like paid spokespeople. These people aren't journalists.
I think the question becomes why the ownerships of the majority of media have chosen this path?
“I think the question becomes why the ownerships of the majority of media have chosen this path?”
Who owns and controls the entire news distribution apparatus?
There is little difference between the “news” and the rest of the media, both deal primarily in fiction.