Science, business, legislation -- lots of what reporters write about involves issues that reporters know little about. That's how these illegitimate relationships form.
The reporters cannot write intelligently about the issues unless knowledgeable insiders HELP them understand and HELP them write their articles. Check out the scientist/reporter emails in the NY Times thread.
The price for all this help and access, is that the reporter had better report in a way that pleases his "helpers" and sources, or he will find their help cut off. Much of current "reporting" is essentially reformatting of press releases from their sources.
Does this mean the polar bears (and walruses) aren’t all going to die unless I send all my money to WWF?
sarcasm/off
amen