Although I don't mean to generalize, there is little to no room for truth for the money-centered media.
As you have already said, "people live for exciting news," and more often than not, the truth is painful and scary. The media can't afford to say the blatant truth because it would take away their audience. As a result, they would alter the story enough to make it more appealing.
Quite sad, but this is precisely what's happening with most. I agree that they should stop distorting the truth and just give us the raw stories. But it's all easier said than done. There's too much political/economic/other issues happening backstage.
RE: TRUTH IS A RARE COMMODITY DESPITE THE FREEDOM ENJOYED BY PRINT AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA