Not read all thread but lots of reasons behind lack of proper journalism:
Media ownership has consolidated massively. Local papers are no longer ownded by local familes and national papers are no longer ownded by traditional press barons with a passion for media. Instead large PLCs see papers as another profit making vehicle so force massive staff cuts etc.
Fewer people buy papers or watch TV news. So circulation and viewing figures are down. This makes news a less attractive prospect for advertisers which squeezes profit further leading to let more budget cuts.
Young people get most of their news (if they get any) from the web. They value immediacy over thoroughness or accuracy. This leads to pressure for quick stories not good stories.
People are attracted to "soft" news. Posh's outfits sell papers. Coverage of the russian wheat harvest crisis does not. Look at the number of comments on threads here. People comment are interested in Posh and the McCanns, not serious stuff. So news providers react to market pressures.
I could go on but I am sure nobody is reading now. I think the solution is protecting the BBC. It is free from market pressures so can afford to pursue proper news. Problem is that the BBC's new regulatory structure has led to terrible morale and destructive tendancies in the organisation. Please God let them sort it out - we need the Beeb more than ever.