The news media can be so desperate for a good story, they’ll sensationalize and make their own. People like solid, definitive statements, no matter how wobbly and contrived they really are.
A good example is when TechWeb published a story entitled “Tablet PCs Headed for Broader Use” and then publishes a contrary article called “Tablet PC Faces Uncertain Future” seven hours later, and both articles cite the same market research company.
Two different bylines, two different axes to grind.