When You're A Star, They Let You Do It. You Can Do Anything.

True in journalism as everywhere. Rules are meant for the little people, not David Brooks or Chris Cuomo or Fareed Zakaria. Though I find it a bit mysterious in journalism, as I don't think the "stars" generally really do earn their paychecks, in the sense of bringing in the ratings (on TV) justifying their 7 figure salaries.

Which is to say, it isn't really mysterious, it just isn't always about money, or even mostly about money, which is what too many people annoyingly claim any time you bring up anything having to do with (especially) TV journalism. It's just ratings they say, wisely. No need to say anything else!

Nah. It's about the elite protecting their own, defining the club membership. The club's perks include "no consequences."