NeuromanticisedVisionsofXmas - that's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. Which is entirely my point - that people are entitled to their opinion, even if I don't agree with it (yours), or even find it distasteful (Moir's, which iirc wasn't that Gately died of gayness, but of a particular lifestyle enjoyed by young gay men, shades of offensiveness perhaps, but an important distinction).
And yes, I do think that the Charlotte Church clock was no worse than some of the stuff Charlie Brooker has said about people who make/appear on shows he happens not to like. I personally find Brooker funnier, but in no less bad taste. It's also no worse, imo, than most Ricky Gervais stuff, but he wins Baftas and Golden Globes for his jokes.
keSnowbi - I haven't been following it that closely as I would if not on maternity leave (so much for a year off! 
), so can't comment on evidence from members of the public. With the internet point though, I think you're right that a lot of people simply stumble across it now - but there's also a fair number of people who actively seek it out, for instance subscribers to the MailWatch or Tabloid Lies blogs.
And with the Kercher story, yes there was a lot of pre-emptive colour - but all fairly predictable, wouldn't you say? Hardly the journalistic crime of the century (although having said that, there's no way I'd pre-write a story like that for internet publication, but then I don't have the international competition the Mail does).