Reporters are often worried about being perceived as having a bias. They like to publish sources on both sides of issues, although many times this isn't enough to get the details right. Issues are often more complex than a two-sided difference of opinion. The worst cases of this type of reporting-gone-bad happen when reporters are too afraid to draw a conclusion, even about an obvious point. Look out for (and skip) headlines that focus on controversy of opinion: "Civil War Over Long Ago, Say Some; Guy in Richmond Disagrees." (article otherwise not worth reading)