Only after living in a communist country for a couple years and being subjected to their media - did I finally understand how to really “read” the NY Times or Washington Post.
Its literally ALL narrative. They present the presently acceptable political belief of their masters/controllers
And if NY Times turns out to be absolutely wrong, it does not matter. Tomorrow will have a new political narrative and what was said last month or last year is gone into the memory hole
Orwell described it very well
Your description of that dynamic is spot on, FRiend.