Let me offer up a secret from the inside. You dont in any way shape or form have to pay money to journalists. The can are bought and paid for through their currency - information and access.

They dont really even really shill for their patron; they thrive on the relevance of having their name in the byline for the article, or being the person who gets quote / information / propaganda from <CEO|Celebrity|Criminal|Viral Edgelord of the Week>.