I don't think that Matthews considered that particular weird comment to be news reporting. It was intended to be commentary, i.e. opinion.

On the other hand, many of these talking heads make their living by pretending to be objective and above the fray. CNN has a show called "No Bias, No Bull" or something stupid like that. It might be a great show. I refuse to watch it. The title is just too ridiculous. Likewise with Mattews' so-called "Hard Ball." If he likes what the guest is saying, he won't challenge it at all. The rest of the show consists of him interrupting people.