The American news media, like good constitutionally protected watchdogs, have always acted in packs. That's not quite the right word. I prefer flocks. For all the potshots fired at the national press in the Age of Monica the Tattooed Lady, local media are, if anything, worse. It is, every day.
Auto dealers are the biggest advertisers in any market.
Not even public broadcasting is immune from their wrath, which usually involves a threat to cut off advertising support. Reno television stations years ago discontinued meaningful consumer investigative reporting. They found that more than 90 percent of complaints were about new car dealers. Rather than irritate major advertisers, they killed the features. Friday night, Feb. 27, northern Nevada's KNPB TV-5 offers you a rare glimpse at the darkside of skewed news.