I am troubled by what I consider the bigger issue in "main stream media". If I remember it correctly, it started during Viet Nam with "uncle Walter". He wasn't the only one practicing what was promoted as " Advocacy Journalism:, but he becme one of its proponents.
It seems to me that "advocacy journalism" is an oxymoron; one simply cannot be a "Journalist" and an "Advocate" at the same time. It has infected the entire industry. Once the people understand that the reporters of the news have abandoned the high road of journalism, they become skeptical of what is, and what is not reported, the verbage used in the reporting, the pull on our emotions to create a desired effect. The main media are now reaping the lack of respect they have so richly deserved.
It seems to me a proper synonom for "advocacy journalism" is simply " propagandist". With all due respect for O'Reily, Dan Rather has become a propagandist, and has betrayed the ideals of journalism. He deserves the disrespect he has earned.