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"From my experience working with primarily trade press for 30 year, that is a true statement not just for the MSM, but for 90% of all publications and writers. First of all, writing is hard work. Human nature says if someone wants to write it for me --- why not? The trick to getting a journalist to publish your words is to feed his prejudices and not "obviously" go over the top in pumping your agenda or product. You simply need to state it in terms that the 'journalist' will buy on spec. A couple of drinks and dinner always help as well."

That's my experience also after working for 20 years in the Visual press at different stations around the country. Even for "Normal News", most local stations will "Videoize" the local stories you read about in the local newspaper that morning (A Rehash). Very little Investigative reporters are actually working in newsrooms nowadays. There are way too many Producers, Directors, Executive Producers, Editors, and not enough Reporters. This all adds up to "Copy 'n Paste" newscasts and reports and leaves these newsrooms extremely susceptible to external PR influences.