Honestly, I think it is a combination of the two. Rather's Memogate reporting showed each side of that coin.
As far as Plame not being covert, I think the media understand that fact, but do not consider it important. What is important is to drill into the public psyche --"Revealed ID of Secret Agent--Wife of political critic--So Corrupt, will stop at Nothing". Anything outside that template is omitted. No need to confuse the public. Stay on message.
After the supposed "reporting" I heard, there is even more reason not to trust or believe a single word uttered on NBC evening news, or the other networks for that matter, since they’re all three nothing but troglodyte sycophants that parrot each other always using the same language, and the same spin to reach the same reality disconnected conclusions.
You've known that a long time now. They covered for the last Administration, and they attack this one. Nothing new. Without resorting to hyperbole or even slight exaggeration -- There is no reason to pay the slightest attention to anything they say--other than as a case study in opposition tactics. Period.
Hitler - "The function of propaganda does not lie in the scientific training of the individual, but in calling the masses' attention to certain facts, processes, necessities, etc., whose significance is thus for the first time placed within their field of vision."
Yes it does seem like a combination of both. And I know, yeah I've known for years what a joke the news shows are. I was curious if they were going to say anything about DeLay. Since they didn't, I figure they know it's a dead horse. The whole deliberate misrepresentation of fact still gets under my skin, even though it's nothing new. I guess sometimes, I like to torture myself just a little. 8)