[r9etb]

Apparently, Mr. Packer has a thing about being first in line.

It's undoubtedly true that he seeks out reporters, as opposed to the other way around.

[laurav]

I think you're right that he seeks out reporters. And since no one thinks that the guy who is coming up to them with a ready-quote has been quoted hundreds of times before, they jot down what he says and file. Only later does it become clear what a publicity hound he is.

There are people who write letters to the editor of major newspapers every day. Some of them do write well, but the edit page will have a policy such as "only one letter a month from Mr. X" because they know readers watch that sort of thing. Apparently news sections count on fewer people keeping score.

[Roscoe]

He has appeared in news stories more than 100 times as a random member of the public.

BTTT