I was about to let Willy's best-intentions but inaccurate and misguided comment go, but then you leapt to his/her support, ASPEN7.

Willy advises: "I'm not going to make generalizing claims..."  And then, of course, Will does: "the female columnists are noticeably more divisive and cavalier..."  Wow.  Here's another: "...am troubled by the shift away from balanced reporting in favor of a social justice agenda."  Those supporting "a social justice agenda" do so in opinion pieces (also known as "columns"), NOT news stories.  Many commenters often confuse the two.  Opinion are...just that.  

News stories are supposed to be factual, and, in the main, they are.  What I object to is that sometimes the choice of words, (not to mention the headlines) reveals not so much a personal bias as the journalist's lack of experience or ability. Choice of words (and on TV, body language and tone of voice) is often needlessly inflammatory, but it sells--always has. But it's not a conspiracy.