Re: journalists I lean more toward the more conspiratorial "they're in on it" than that, but I agree that's almost certainly how it begins for any one journalist. It traces back to apathy on the part of the few people reading the journalist's work (which not coincidentally is the same apathy that allows the politician to stay in power).

@Hellion Considering that there are numerous distinct words for cattle, it's a pretty reasonable question.

+1 for the NPR piece, nice find. Exactly captures the problem. Next thing to ponder is why journalists and debate moderators allow them to get away with it without so much as a flinch.