I’m not a lawyer, and I’m not a journalist.
I did, however, take a course in journalism in college (LONG TIME ago). It turns out that it’s a terrific way to fulfill a writing requirement.
Faculty who teach journalism do spend time instructing how to avoid libel/defamation—not just to keep future journalists out of court, but to promote good journalism. Ah... those where the days.
I’m wondering if “for-profit journalism” isn’t to blame. There are multiple studies that show that people will seek out/pay for information that supports their own biases.