Journalism in general isn't a high-paying profession (unless you are a high-profile broadcast journalist) and it is definitely under-appreciated. As to the probing and skepticism, it depends on which side is doing the probing. Right-wing groups don't like the media probing unless it's doing so against the left-wing parties and vice versa. Everyone likes the media when it's on their side. But when the dark corner it's shining a light on is in their own house? Not so much.