When they're acquitted, we report that they've been acquitted. When they go to the pen, we report that, too. Victims names are also fair game. Newspapers are not any more obligated to be positive than anyone on the street. We report the news.
Reporters cover a story as long as it is still news.
Granted, the national news media has a habit of beating a story to death. But just because the public is tired of something doesn't mean it's not news, and doesn't mean people don't need to hear about it. Editorials and columns are supposed to be fair, but not necessarily balanced like a news story. They take a point of view. That's the purpose.