I think you were right the first time:
Media is (media is a singular entity)
reporters are (reporters are the plural gaggle that make up the media)
Yes, but the noun is "some", so the verb should be the plural "are". (Though I always get confused as to whether the period goes within or after the closing quote marks and parenthesis. I guess I'll have some homework tonight!)
"Even some of the idiot local media is starting to catch on."
I think media is actually plural of "medium", although you could refer collectively to the media, I guess.
Q. Why to they call it a medium, anyway?
A. It's not rare, and it's not well done.
The word "media" is a plural.
Study up:
"Medium" is the singular, "media" is the plural.