Seeing this in personal finance reporting absolutely drives me crazy, but I guess reporters want to tell people the news they want to hear.
Can you imagine a mainstream news source saying, "Americans aren't willing to do what it takes to provide for themselves during retirement?" :P
That wouldn't be the big problem if mainsteam financial news suddenly decided to be honest.
It would be that they'd alienate their advertisers.
They'd have to be honest and tell people to avoid they
bloodmoney suckers, but have you seen who advertises in (for example) Money Magazine?
High expense mutual funds, scummy annuities and life insurance companies, overpriced "advisor" companies, etc.
There would have to be articles saying "Don't purchase anything from our advertisers," and how long could you run a business like that?