The author makes a valid point but I have a grater complaint. And maybe it's mostly me, never the less I feel that although professional journalists (studied journalism and got a job in journalism) are good writers, they lack rigor. That's to say they are quite good at relating the news, putting forth a story, but quite bad at analysis.

There are lots of inferences, playing loose with numbers, citing of questionable sources, etc.

Now, I don't mind opinion. But please base the opinion on something more than feeling, zeitgeist, claims, etc. I'm not demanding scientific rigor, I'm only asking them to use the critical thinking tools we were taught to use in high school or college....

Alas, it seems I'm expecting too much.