The dying art of investigative reporting

The invariably interesting and informative Cernig at NewsHog points out that the new ABC "exclusive report" by investigative reporter Brian Ross on Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) allegedly being sent from Iran into Iraq is neither investigative or exclusive. In fact it's a rehash of an October 2005 report in the British press which pointed back at a bungled British intelligence operation involving the IRA. Needless to say the story was promptly dropped in the British press only to be revived today, over 4 months later, as a supposed "exclusive" report by Brian Ross.

Is it just me or does genuine "investigative reporting" by domestic media sources seem like a nearly extinct art? If it's not Brian Ross palming off months old stuff as exclusive then it's the Bush administration paying journalists to push particular "news" stories.