Explained to her that back in the pre-SM olden days, tabloid journalists used to use underhand tactics to obtain information, and then write it as sensationally as possible, all with a view to maximizing readership, advertising and sales.
Part of the reason for the change is that newspapers historically had higher circulations, more advertising revenue, more money generally and more employees. Cast your mind back to a time where the only way to get the news was in a hard copy newspaper or listen to the radio/watch TV.
So as they had more money, they could pay people to go off to investigate something by hanging round the local pub where the target hung out for months, bribing people of interest with a pint and a steak dinner, befriending the gatekeeper. That kind of thing.
These days papers have no budget, cut employees wherever they can so there is less investigation in that sense. The quickest cheapest way to get news is via social media - for example, we are all familiar with the Mumsnet Thread becomes a whole article syndrome. That's page filler without even having to lift a finger.
A clear illustration of the change in culture is the 1990 case of Gordon Kaye (actor who played Rene from Allo Allo) - (after photographs were taken in his hospital bed (!)) he sued for invasion of privacy before it was really a thing and lost - except it was held they couldn't present it as a consensual exclusive interview so of course it was published proclaiming it as a non-consensual scoop. What happened in that case just wouldn't happen now for lots and lots of reasons - not least it would be treated as an invasio of privacy - but the way the information was obtained is very old school:
https://lawcarenigeria.com/kaye-v-robertson-anor-1990-ewca-civ-21-16-march-1990/
On 25th January 1990 Mr. Kaye was driving his car on a road in London during a gale, when a piece of wood became detached from an advertisement hoarding, smashed through the windscreen of the plaintiff’s car and struck him on the head. The plaintiff suffered severe injuries to his head and brain. He was taken to Charing Cross Hospital where he was on a life support machine for three days. He was then in intensive care, until on 2nd February he was moved into a private room, forming part of Ward G at the hospital.
...
Until 13th February 1990 Mr. Kaye had not been interviewed since his accident by any representative of a newspaper or television programme. On that day, acting on Mr. Robertson’s instructions, a journalist and a photographer from Sunday Sport went to Charing Cross Hospital and gained access to the corridor outside Ward G. They were not seen nor intercepted by any of the hospital staff. Ignoring the notices on the door to the ward and on the plaintiff’s door, they entered the plaintiff’s room. Mr. Kaye apparently agreed to talk to them and according to a transcript that we have heard of a taped record they made of what transpired, did not object to their photographing various cards and flowers in his room. In fact a number of photographs, both in colour and monochrome, were taken of the plaintiff himself showing the substantial scars to his head amongst other matters. The taking of the photographs involved the use of a flashlight.
After some time members of the nursing staff of the hospital learned what was happening. They attempted to persuade the journalist and the photographer to leave, but without success. Security staff were called, and the representatives of Sunday Sport were ejected.
Medical evidence exhibited by Mr. Froggatt to his affidavit in this action says that Mr. Kaye was in no fit condition to be interviewed or to give any informed consent to be interviewed. The accuracy of this opinion is confirmed by the fact that approximately a quarter-of-an-hour after the representatives of Sunday Sport had left his room, Mr. Kaye had no recollection of the incident.