this is not a political press failing, but just a general example of how the people writing for the press are now so ignorant of the topics they write about that they make mistakes that make you question everything they say.
Article in our 'paper of record' the NYT, about BP wanting to put a deep water rig out in the Gulf. The writer gives the depth of water they want to work in as 56,000ft.
"Opponents said the extreme pressure and high temperatures required to operate in waters deeper than 56,000 feet heighten the risk of a blowout that could endanger Gulf communities and the marine ecosystem."
There is no water on the planet anywhere near that deep (Marianas Trench about 36,000). So what are they even talking about? Deepest water in the Gulf is 13,000-15,000, average is about 5300. But how does a guy end up writing tech for the NYT who doesn't have some idea how deep the ocean are?
We are gonna be doomed by our own descent into ignorance.