I think a lot of it has to do with the amount of experience the readership has to this kind of "journalism". Sensationalist and highly opinionated journalism loses its impact on individuals over a few years of exposure. After a while, people start to realize that such things are almost never the full story, and you need to wait for more information and analysis to come forward before forming an opinion of your own.
The reason this kind of journalism works is simple: because there is a steady supply of new people who aren't resistant to it yet.
The reason this kind of journalism works is simple: because there is a steady supply of new people who aren't resistant to it yet.