I realize I have an idealistic point-of-view but, I always thought journalism was about the news and not about the journalist.
EDIT: removed gripey, complainy questions.
EDIT: removed gripey, complainy questions.
With this, the 'brand' is interesting. First, the journalist makes money directly, which is nice. Secondly, the journalist suffers and succeeds based on the news reported.
Finally, commentary offered by a journalist is also valuable. I don't have time to be an expert in everything, but I can assume that a automobile journalist will be better informed then me, and can provide me with meaningful information.
Those are, of course, just my thoughts on the matter. =)