those who run afoul of the ruling class simply suicide by shooting themselves… in the back of the head… with a revolver… twice

It's more that if you don't toe the line enough in the imperial core you lose access to sources, then lose your job (or change careers because you never get promoted) as a result of not having that access. All the viable careers in journalism require one to be a stenographer of power. This means in the long term you drum out all those who are too willing to be critical.