I was on-air for 6 years in markets 70 and larger. I left the business several months ago and here's what I can tell you: I agree with the gist of the original post, there's a lot going on (in this situation and others) and the mainstream media isn't getting the scoops anymore.

However, the reason journalists don't get the scoops anymore isn't because they are lazy; rather, its because newsrooms are understaffed and staff is under-trained. The business has changed. Veteran reporters are no longer in the business (because of pay) and new college grads are in. They are cheaper.

Four years ago I did one TV story and a radio story a day. It was a workload that was manageable and left time for research and source building. Fast forward---6 months ago, before I left the business I was writing 2 TV stories, 2 web stories and 2 radio stories each day, PLUS re-purposing those stories for the late show and the next day's morning show. Two years ago my station had a staff of videographers that went out and shot stories with us--now, they don't. Four years ago reporters were assigned to a beat, now, in many markets, they're not. Reporters shoot, write, edit and appear on-air. (Keep in mind I was on TV and this required to actually go out and track down stories with a camera, not just a phone call like a newspaper reporter or a blogger).

Bottom line: because of cost-cutting, my focus went from source building, story-telling and quality content to meeting the deadline. Journalism has many problems (believe me) but lazy journalists are not among them.

So, while I agree that the mainstream press has lost its way and is consistently beaten by other outlets...please don't say it's because they are lazy. That's just plain wrong. Every journalist I know (now myself included) who's left news and entered the corporate world--is stunned by the level of laziness and the amount of time wasted in corporate 'office' America. I consistently hear 'wow, you get so much work done so fast'. Yep, that's because I'm a reporter.