I could go to many places with this answer, but to try to stay on point...
For me--and please take this as one man's warped view--I am guided most by my byline. To wit: I've put my name on it, and I want the words below my byline to be a true representation of how I feel, what I believe and what I have interpreted. The latter point--interpretation--is where it gets very sticky.
Some posters here, obviously, have a truly negative interpretation of what we do in the media. And the shills and cheats (though few among us) only play into their hands and embolden them (as said before, just as quack docs and dirty cops juice up their detractors). I would only encourage the reader, once he or she has gained confidence with a reporter/writer, to keep in mind that MUCH OF THIS IS GUESS WORK AT BEST. Each side of the CBA is spinning its stuff, and those of us trying to do the job in the middle, have to take it all in, separate fact from fiction, and ATTEMPT to provide an honest read. Often, the info provided is so bad, the read of the reporter ends up being bad too.
I tell young kids coming into the biz all the time: the key to the job isn't necessarily writing, or sourcing (though it helps)....the key to the job is developing the ability and sense and walk into a room and, in very short order, be able to decipher who is lying and why he/she is lying. Very tricky. The same guy who told you the truth the day before can be the same guy who sells you down the river the next. And, yes, I am sure there are sources who can say the same about reporters.
Another key point before I go: don't confuse a writer's opinion (clearly labeled in the paper as such--either with column logo, or otherwise) with a writer's ability to do the job in a straight news story. When offered the opportunity to ``columnize'', I've routinely referred to the labor side here as the JSNPA--the Just Say No Players Association (as in, NO to a CAP, and NO to Linkage). But when charged with the mission to provide a straight news story, I can do that. Not only can I do it, it's actually easier than the opinion piece (you'd have to do it to understand--sort of like dressage vs. horse racing).
Enuf, I'm beginning to bore myself, so it must be even worse on you.
kpd/hoh