They're not lazy, they're looking for a good story. It's good business to spin a mundane story as sensational news. They're after the same thing as Avril Lavigne, views.
As people generating entertainment for their readers, you're right. It was a good story. But, as "journalist" they, in my opinion, are lazy. They failed to fully research the issue and present it as clearly as possible.
If by 'journalist' you mean someone who how a vocation of providing the public with important news and information, you for have a fundamental misunderstanding of the modern news-media. True journalists, I'm afraid, are few and far between. Muckracking is a far more profitable occupation, both in terms of finance and popularity. It's why idiots with voting power are a better filter than your standard copy-editor. Money and power are self reinforcing pursuits; truth and integrity are not.
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On the plus side: once you realize how the system works, you are free to game it to get your message across. It becomes amazing the kind of stunts you can perform.
