I thought that thistranscript from: On The Media warrented some comments:

RON ROSENBAUM: Yes, and the many repercussions for the many layers of flunkies and lackeys that this cold had. You can learn more from an investigative reporter who doesn’t speak to the person. I’ve called investigative reporters “sociopaths for truth” —

BROOKE GLADSTONE: [LAUGHS]

RON ROSENBAUM: — because they’re a different breed of cat. They’re not afraid to hurt feelings if it means telling the truth about someone.

I think that this is very true. Investigative reporters are there to make people uncomfortable, and they delight in doing so. They are generally not acceptable in polite society.

Unfortunately, the increasing professionalization of reporting, by which I mean the Journalism degrees and the whole “w(h)ine and cheese” mentality that goes along with this^* has led to a snark replacing insight, and cocktail party chat replacing investigations.

^*Best exemplified by the white, pampered, Ivy League staff of The New Republic.