The answer to your question was in one of the articles. He seeks out the reporters and gives them quotes. He makes a point of dressing in flamboyant costumes for such occasions as New Year's Eve.
Probably all the reporters know him and know he will give them a quote. It is laziness and irresponsibility on the part of the press, as well as contempt for their readers in that they think no one will remember or notice.
I once gave some Danish journalists some ridiculous quotes that they took completely seriously. They were doing a story in L.A. about the attitudes of Americans. I told them we have one basic philosophy here: "Money talks, Bullsh*t walks." Then actually had me spell out "Bullsh*t" for them. I would have LOVED to have read that story. Another time in L.A. I met someone who claimed to be the "Walter Cronkite of Norway." Therefore I gave him a bunch of total B.S. stuff to use in his report on America.
I love meeting foreign journalists. They are so easy to con!