"The elevation of gossip, sensationalism and manufactured controversy: the values of journalism are appealing to an ever-descending common denominator rather than the best attainable version of the truth.

...

His advice to young reporters is straightforward: listen and ask questions designed to illuminate, not elicit controversy. "The most important thing is to be a good listener. The story is always going to take you somewhere away from your preconceived notions.

Carl Bernstein
in an article by Tom Allard