but this is the point that you are not getting. these reporters do not investigate anything, they simply are handed a report from a government corespondent (government public relations agent) and they relay the info to the public. these reporters do not have to be in on any conspiracy when they repeat what they are told. and here is another problem, if they were to investigate and find something thats gonna upset an editor, an advisory, or the higher ups, they run the risk of their careers being ruined.
this is the modern day free press, they can only report so far cause they are on a very short leash.